Why is my labs hair falling out

Itching or pain is a common cause of acquired inflammatory hair loss. Diseases that commonly cause itching or pain include infections, parasites, and allergies. Skin cancer uncommonly causes hair loss. Friction may cause local hair loss, for example, poorly fitted collars. Rarely, excessive grooming may be the cause of hair loss in some dogs. Signs of hair loss may be obvious or subtle, depending on the disease. Congenital or hereditary hair loss is commonly either symmetric appearing similar on both sides of the body or located in one area only.

It is not usually accompanied by inflammation. Signs of acquired hair loss are varied and often influenced by the underlying cause s. The hair loss may affect an isolated spot or multiple areas, or it may be symmetric or widespread. Inflammation, thickened skin, color change, scaling, excessive shedding, and itching are common. Some causes may lead to the development of secondary skin diseases, such as infection or fluid discharge.

Itching is variable, depending on the primary cause. An accurate diagnosis of the cause of hair loss requires a detailed history and physical examination. In the physical examination, your veterinarian will note the pattern and distribution of hair loss.

The hairs will be examined to determine if they are being shed from the hair follicle or broken off. Your veterinarian will also look for signs of secondary skin infections or parasites and may perform skin scrapings, and comb the hair coat for fleas, mites, and lice.

The skin scrapings and the materials obtained during combing may be saved and sent to a laboratory for testing. Your veterinarian may order diagnostic laboratory tests. These usually include smears and culture of the skin to check for evidence of bacterial, fungal, or yeast infections.

If these tests do not identify or suggest an underlying cause, a skin biopsy may be performed. Skin biopsies are often needed to confirm bacterial and parasitic causes of hair loss or to identify inflammatory or cancerous causes of hair loss. If your veterinarian suspects a hormonal problem, he or she may order testing of blood and urine samples. Successful treatment depends on the underlying cause and specific diagnosis.

These tiny parasites can rapidly infest your dog and irritate their skin; this leads to intense scratching, which in turn can cause hair loss. Any skin condition your dog has, including eczema or dandruff, can eventually lead to hair loss. Over time, this can lead to hair loss as specific areas of skin are weakened and their coat pulled out. Hair loss in dogs can also occur due to nutritional deficiencies , the presence of which would otherwise support the development of healthy skin and hair.

Keratin, the core component of hair, needs sulfur amino acids to be synthesized properly; without these, your dog might have slow hair growth, their hair may feel brittle and eventually they'll suffer from hair loss.

Similarly, biotin is a key nutrient in supporting healthy skin and hair and protecting against complaints, such as hair loss. If your dog has an underlying medical condition, his hair and fur are usually the first to suffer because the body will shift resources away from the skin and toward the internal organs that need help.

Hormonal conditions — like hypothyroidism, adrenal gland disorders or growth hormone disorders — can all cause a dog to lose hair. Some dogs can lose hair after they are neutered due to a decrease in testosterone.

Liver disease, kidney disease and cancer can all cause unexplained hair loss, as well. If your vet suspects an internal problem as cause for the hair loss, they may recommend laboratory testing and possibly X-ray or ultrasound imaging to determine the cause.

Excessive shedding can be caused by stress, poor nutrition, pregnancy, lactation or another underlying medical condition. If you think your dog is shedding more than normal or if he is developing bald patches, schedule an appointment with your vet. The dog hair loss treatment they prescribe will depend on your pet's other health needs. A dog losing hair needs to visit the vet, but his condition is often able to be cleared up with a simple change in food or medication.

Keep up with regular grooming and brushing so that you can spot the earliest signs of a problem. Wooten divides her professional time between small animal practice in Greeley, Colorado, public speaking on associate issues, leadership, and client communication, and writing.

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