Your dog’s hair may be falling out due to:
Allergic and Irritant Contact Dermatitis
This is an allergic reaction that comes after your dog is exposed to any of the following: antibiotics on her skin, metals like nickel, materials like rubber, wool and plastic, and chemicals like dyes or carpet cleaners. Typically, more than one exposure will be required.
Atopy
Atopy is an allergic reaction that can occur if your dog inhales pollen, house dust mites or mold. Redness, leathery skin, and hair loss are just three of many symptoms associated with atopy.
Callus
This condition is the result of ongoing pressure, particularly in larger breeds of dogs. With this condition you may notice thickened, hairless, raised areas over bony pressure points like elbows. In some cases, secondary infections are present.
Cushing’s Disease
This condition is due to an increase in corticosteroids in your dog’s body. This can be the result of her body increasing the production of them or may be a side effect of her taking a high dose or long term corticosteroid.
Demodectic Mange
Should your dog be infected with the Demodex mite she can experience demodectic mange. The infection can occur when your dog’s immune system is weakened. In addition to hair loss, you may observe scaliness, redness, ulcers and darkening of your dog’s skin. Itching may be present in some cases.
Folliculitis
This occurs when the hair follicles become infected, in many cases with staph bacteria. Symptoms are typically seen on your dog’s skin where less hair is present.
Food Allergies
Your dog can experience an allergy to something in her diet. Symptoms in addition to her losing her hair include her licking her feet, ear inflammation, itching, redness and in some cases, infection or hot spots.
Pregnancy and Nursing
Excessive shedding can occur in your dog should she be pregnant or nursing; hormone changes contribute to this condition.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition where there is a decrease in your dog’s production of the thyroid hormone. This is the most common hormonal disease in dogs that impacts their skin.
Ringworm
Ringworm is an infection with several types of fungus. Should your dog have ringworm you may observe scaliness, crusty areas, pustules, some itching and hair loss.
Sarcoptic Mange
Sarcoptic mange is the result of an infection with the Sarcoptes mite. You will observe significant itching, self-trauma, papules, crusts and scales as well as hair loss.
Seborrhea
The condition can be inherited or the result of another condition (allergies or hypothyroidism for example). Odor, oiliness and inflammation are often seen with seborrhea.
Tail Gland Hyperplasia
Your dog has a sebaceous gland on the top of her tail near its base. Should the gland become enlarged, it is called tail gland hyperplasia. This is found in unneutered dogs as well as a secondary condition to another disease (for example hypothyroidism).