Why Is My Dog's Hair Falling Out?

Question:
I have a dog that is 2 years old and is half Bull Mastiff and half English Bulldog. He eats good and drinks good, and he stays outside. Lately his hair on his whole body in patches is coming out and it looks black where the hair is missing. Is this the mange? Can I treat this so he doesn't look so bad?

A:  I would recommend you schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

There are a few things that can cause hair loss in dogs.  Mange is just one of the many causes of acute hair loss.  This is caused by a mite, Demodex, that lives in the hair follicles.  Your veterinarian can test to see if this is the culprit by doing a scraping of the skin and looking under the microscope.  Appropriate medications can then be prescribed.

Another one of the most common causes of hair loss in dogs is seasonal alopecia.  (Alopecia is a veterinary term for hair loss).  Boxers and Bulldogs are more prone to this disease than other breeds.  A skin biopsy is usually the method of choice for diagnosis of this disease.  It is treatable with Melatonin, a supplement that can be purchased at your local health food store.

This time of year, fungal infections can also cause similar clinical signs.  Your veterinarian would need to test your dog's skin, and possibly perform a fungal culture to determine if it is contagious to humans (Ringworm is one fungal infection that can be transmitted to humans).  Usually a few weeks of an antibiotic and antifungal medication, and the infection is cleared up.

~Dr. Page Wages

Oberlin Animal Hospital