How to Treat Dog Alopecia (Hair Loss)

1 Causes and Treatment

I. Causes of canine alopecia

Canine alopecia is split into congenital and acquired, with six groups:

1. Hormonal alopecia

Hormone imbalance usually comes from pituitary dwarfism, ovarian dysfunction, Cushing’s disease, or hypothyroidism.

2. Metabolic alopecia

From fatty-acid deficiency causing seborrheic dermatitis.

3. Congenital alopecia

Acquired alopecia, by definition, comes from congenital causes.

4. Toxic alopecia

From too much thallium intake causing thallium poisoning and hair loss.

5. Scarring alopecia

An acquired form from trauma.

6. Alopecia of unknown cause

Usually neurogenic or ring-shaped alopecia.

II. How to treat canine alopecia

There is no specific drug yet. Only remove scale at the bare spot, stimulate the follicle root, dilate vessels, feed the follicle enough nutrition, and promote regrowth. Dogs lacking nutrition get it from food or supplements; also keep the environment clean and the skin washed. For endocrine alopecia, use hormone therapy. Hyperthyroid alopecia is treated with oral thyroid tablets, 2 a day, slowly raised to 6 to 10 a day.

Tip: Find the underlying cause – hormones, diet, or toxins – before treating hair loss.