Mens Haircuts

Balding dog needs exam to determine cause of hair loss

24.08.11

Cali is losing her hair.</p><p> Allison first noticed clumps of hair around the house about four weeks ago. Those clumps have begun to multiply, and now Cali is visibly naked, especially on her back. Allison, while tired of cleaning up the hair, is more concerned with what might be causing her mixed-breed dog's hair loss.</p><p> I must admit that there are simply too many possibilities to address when we consider a possible cause for Cali's hair loss.</p><p> Instead, I will approach her case using a flow-chart technique to narrow the choices.</p><p> At the top of the chart is the problem/symptom - hair loss. First, we need to determine whether Cali's hair loss is simply a matter of shedding, and therefore normal, or if it is excessive. Since Allison reports areas of bare skin on Cali's body, I am going to assume her hair loss is pathologic. From there, we need to decide whether the hair is being lost because of traumatic removal (I made that phrase up) or falling out of its own accord.</p><p> To determine whether the hair loss is traumatic, especially if you do not see your pet chewing out or otherwise removing its hair, simply look at the skin where the hair is missing. Are the hairs broken or is the skin devoid of any remnants of hair? If they're broken, there is trauma involved. If there are no remaining hairs, it has fallen out.</p><p> Hair loss is most commonly because of animals scratching, rubbing or biting at themselves to relieve an itch. This results in the loss of hair. Hair falling out without apparent cause is much less common.</p><p> The causes for non-trauma-related hair loss are usually hormonal. Diseases such as hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease and diabetes can lead to hair loss. These diseases usually have other symptoms associated with them, and hair loss is not one of the early symptoms, but it sometimes is the first symptom noticed by pet owners.</p><p> To diagnose hormonal causes for hair loss, we usually use one or more blood tests. Treatment can be initiated, and over time, the hair may grow back. It may, however, be a different color.</p><p> Hair loss due to trauma usually occurs as a result of pruritus. These patients itch. What might cause the itching? I could write a book on that subject. We start with the most common stuff and work our way down. In Cali's case, we are not sure what type of hair loss she is experiencing, but odds are it's traumatic.</p><p> Maybe Cali has something simple, such as fleas. Perhaps she has an allergic condition. She might have mange. That's only a start. One thing's for sure, there is an underlying cause, and Cali needs that answer. She needs to be examined.</p><p> (Jeff Kahler is a veterinarian in Modesto, Calif. Questions can be submitted to Your Pet in care of LifeStyles, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto CA 95352.)

Source: Kansas City Star