Sarasota Veterinary Center

Make an Appointment

(941) 377-3031

Take a Veterinarian’s Advice to Prevent Hair Loss in Your Pet!

Take a Veterinarian’s Advice to Prevent Hair Loss in Your Pet!

Many dogs suffer from hair loss, also known as alopecia. This condition can be due to an underlying illness–so you should be on the lookout for it in your pet.

Alopecia in dogs can occur at any age, so you should consult a vet if you notice that your pet is losing a large amount of hair, or going bald in patches. Dr. Smith can give you advice on how to prevent hair loss in your dog, and offer treatment if there’s a health issue causing the problem.

Causes of Hair Loss in Dogs

Shedding is natural in dogs. However, this is more noticeable in dogs with long hair than dogs with short hair. If you notice bald patches, inflammation and scaling skin, you should immediately consult a vet.

Allergens in the environment

Environmental allergens are one of the most common and important causes of alopecia in dogs. But what in the environment is the actual cause? Pollens and other airborne allergen as well as fleas and other biting insects are the real culprits. They cause constant itching, irritation and inflammation.

Infections can be the silent killer

You dog may suffer from fungal and bacterial infections too. These infections can also be the underlying cause for alopecia. The affected area will be inflamed, scaly and crusted.

Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalance is not unusual in dogs. Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and hypoandrogenism can lead to alopecia. Some female dogs are affected by hyperestrogenism. Similarly there are lots of other causes that impair hair health in dogs.

These conditions, if not controlled, can take a toll on your pet’s health. Thus, you should consult a vet who can advise you best to prevent your dog from alopecia. Here are some tips by Dr. Smith Veterinarian.

Dr. Smith Veterinarian Advice:

The Use of Antibiotics – Your veterinarian may prescribe you some antibiotics and antifungal treatments for your pet.

Diet Changes – If a food item is causing allergic symptoms in your dog, eliminate that item from your pet’s diet. Dogs generally are allergic to wheat, corn, eggs, soy and chicken.

Shampoos and Sprays – Bathe your dog with a dog-specific shampoo that is soap-free or a medicated shampoo recommended by your veterinarian.  Your veterinarian can also recommend effective medicated sprays to help ward off bacterial and fungal infections. 

Hormone Treatments – Vets will diagnose if hormone imbalance is the cause of hair loss. If vets find hormones responsible for alopecia, they’ll give a hormone treatment to your pet.