Alopecia (hair loss) in humans usually occurs as a result of certain conditions that sometimes are unexplainable. I mean, the condition has been present for a long time (except in cases of cancer, where chemotherapy is the cause of hair loss) but the immediate cause is unknown. The problem could be attributed to genetics, but most of the time, the cause is unknown.
Likewise, animals, especially our canine friends, are suffering from the same however; the cause is very much different. For the benefit of those who do not know, hair loss in dogs is usually secondary to parasite infestation. It might come off as a surprise for you there, but it really is the truth, and we can’t do anything about it.
For explanation purposes, let us focus on the most common cause of hair loss in dogs: Fleas. As such, let us get to know the condition known as Flea Allergic Dermatitis (FAD):
Allergy dermatitis flea (FAD)is an eczematous itchy skin disease of dogs and cats and a common cause of hair loss secondary only to parasite infestation. Chemicals in the flea saliva cause allergic reactions. Symptoms can include redness, bumps…some pus-filled…scabs and hair loss. Dogs tend to show hair loss and rash on the lower back, upper tail, neck and along the back of the legs. Regular bathing with a flea prevention shampoo should be done on your pet dogs and cats.
As you can see, fleas indirectly cause the hair loss occurring to our furry friends. Of course, with constant scratching, injury to the skin occurs. And where is the dog’s fur located? In the skin, right? With this, we could safely say that the fine hair is also affected by the scratching, and in the process, it breaks off from the skin. As such, it is not unusual to see patches of missing fur on the dog whenever they have fleas on them unless there are other attributable causes to the hair loss.
Of course, flea infestation is not the only cause of hair loss. There are also others, which, if it affects your dog, could either make their owners worried, or make them fear for their health, as some of these diseases could be transmitted to humans as well. For example, there is Ringworm and Demodicosis (a disease that affects debilitated or immunocompromised dogs).
What could we do with the information that we’ve just gathered? Of course, put them into good use. Share this to other dog owners as well who might have dogs suffering from the abovementioned problems. Or, if your dog is also suffering from one of these diseases, better have your dog checked by the vet for proper management of the problem.