When your dog is experiencing minimal or extensive hair loss, it’s best to have him checked for alopecia. This disorder is also known as hair loss and is common in dogs. Left untreated it can cause total hair loss and infection so early diagnosis and treatment is necessary.

Delaying treatment can affect the dog’s lymphatic system or their immune system. Alopecia can affect dogs and cats alike. No matter age, breed or gender and it can be gradual so if you notice something out of the ordinary, get your pet to the vet.

Excessive chewing and symmetrical patches of hair loss are early signs of this condition. The areas can get infected quickly so you need to be diligent in seeking treatment for you dog. Early detection can keep this disorder from spreading.

Mange is the most common cause of alopecia. Mange is caused by the mite Demodex. Regular washing of your dog and constant checking for this condition can help to ward off any outbreaks. And remember, after checking your dog or applying treatment, proper hand washing is important.

If there are multiple missing patches of hair, it could be associated with an inflammation of the hair follicle. A loss over a larger area may be a sign something more specific and further testing might be required. There is not much that can be done in order to prevent alopecia.

Treatment for this condition can vary depending on the severity. Topical ointments and medicated shampoos are the usual and you must be diligent to get this problem under control. However, depending on the severity, it might be important to look at your dog’s hormone levels.

Reddening on the skin coupled with scaling and patchy hair loss could be a sign of ringworms. These are highly contagious so it’s recommended that you wear gloves. A fungus like ringworms and bacterial infections are usually characteristic of this type of hair loss.

Dog’s can experience hair loss or alopecia for a number of reasons. The type of loss and can vary from symmetrical to patchy. Many pet stores will have information in the pet dog supplies area if you need more information.

Examination is the best you can do to catch alopecia early and start treatment. Don’t let this hair loss issue get out of control by not acting quickly with proper treatment. Your dog will thank you for it in the long run and you will thank yourself.

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