Dog Community

Hair thinning

Posted : 4/23/2006 8:43:16 PM

So lately I've been noticing that my dog has some very thin areas of hair on her sides. I can see her dark skin through it very easily. She's a boxer so she has no undercoat. The skin looks healthy, she doesn't lick or scratch it. At first I thought she was just doing her spring shedding to excess but I'm starting to worry a bit. What can this hair loss be? Should I go to the vet?

mrv

Posted : 4/23/2006 10:29:21 PM

yup and check for both parasites (mange mites) and low thyroid at a minimum.

swamper

Posted : 4/23/2006 11:04:29 PM

But if there were parasites wouldn't she be itchy?

And she's on frontline plus.

sandra_slayton

Posted : 4/24/2006 12:14:26 AM

MRV had the same thoughts I did, fleas and thyroid altho other allergies could cause it. Since the dog isn't itching, it doesn't seem like it would be allergies. Our first golden was diagnosed (at age 40 with low thryoid and his hair was thinning. he also showed all the other classic symtpoms--sudden weight gain, just laying around most of the time, change in behavoir. His full brother, later litter was diagnosed a year ago at age 10 with it and he had not a single symptom. It was caught during a full pre-dental blood workup. So they can have none, l or any number of symptoms. You might ask your vat about it.

Firestorm

Posted : 4/24/2006 6:05:42 AM

You could try Shapleys M T G after you go to the vet to get the hair to grow back.

spiritdogs

Posted : 4/24/2006 6:12:29 AM

Other ailments, such as Cushings disease, beside thyroid and allergy, can cause hair loss. If there aren't any other symptoms, it might be nothing, but probably worth at least a telephone call to the vet to set your mind at ease.