Causes of canine alopecia

Alopecia doesn’t refer only to hair loss; it also includes coat defects, and failure of hair growth

Hair loss in pets is typically associated with an underlying medical disorder. Some can be a result of genetics, while others — Cushing’s Disease, Addison’s Disease, Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, etc. — are caused due to external parasites, fungal and bacterial skin infections, certain drugs, hormonal/endocrine imbalances. Allergies, stress, poor nutrition, lack of grooming and cancer can also cause hair loss .

Hormones that control hair growth are influenced by sunlight and temperature. Thus, many pets have major growing and shedding cycles each spring and fall. With more pets kept indoors in a controlled climate, marked growing and shedding cycles are less frequent, and they tend to shed evenly through the year.

A good blood supply brings nutrients and a normal concentration of hormones so that the area experiences healthy hair growth. Areas with a poor blood supply do not have healthy hair growth.

CAUSES

Parasites
External parasites are notorious for causing alopecia in dogs. Fleas, ticks, lice and mites can all cause intense itching and scratching, which leads to hair loss. Mange (a skin disease) may also cause localised to generalised hair loss.

Fungal infections
Fungal infections of the skin (called ‘Dermatophytosis’) can cause partial to complete alopecia with scaling and redness. Some fungal infections are zoonotic, which means that they have the potential to cause skin lesions in people as well.

Bacterial infections
Bacterial skin infections can cause alopecia with redness, skin crusting, and circular patterns of hair loss. Bacterial folliculitis is the most common cause of multifocal alopecia.

Allergies
Allergic pets have itchy skin, and in response they scratch or chew out their hair. Pets can be allergic to:

Foods – Grains (wheat, corn, soy), meat, fish, pork, milk, yeast.
Inhaled allergens – Pollen, cigarette smoke, perfumes
Contact allergies – Walking through grass, chemically-treated floors or carpets

Poor nutrition
Hair requires a constant supply of nutrients to remain anchored in the skin. Nutrients that support healthy hair are: vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids.

Blood flow
Hair is a living element anchored in the follicle and is nourished by blood for most of its cycle. If blood circulation is poor, hair will not grow well. Pets with weak hearts, low blood pressure, and chronic anaemia may have a dull coat and skin.

-By Dr Preeti Mor and Dr Rohit Kumar

www.dogsandpupsmagazine.com; www.facebook.com/Dogsandpupsmag

Breeds most susceptible
Dachshunds have a breed predilection for thinning over the ears, abdomen, and neck
Hair loss due to hypothyroid disease affects Afghan Hound, Airedale, Boxer, Chow Chow, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, Doberman Pinscher, English Bulldog, Golden Retriever, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, Miniature and Giant Schnauzer, Newfoundland, Poodle, Scottish Deerhound and Shetland Sheepdogs
Hair loss due to hyper-adrenocorticism (Cushing’s Disease) affects Beagle, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Dachshund, and Poodle
Some breeds grow hair very slowly after being clipped – Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Chow Chows and mixed breed dogs with Northern genetics
Doberman Pinschers are prone to developing colour dilution alopecia
Alopecia X (also called adrenal reproductive hormone imbalance or ‘Black Skin Disease’) occurs more commonly in plush-coated breeds such as Pomeranian, Chow Chow, Keeshond and Miniature Poodle.

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