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Ask the Vet About Hair Loss in Dogs and Cats
Ask the Vet About Hair Loss in Dogs and Cats
Dr. Michael Dym
As a practicing veterinarian, Dr. Dym has over 19 years of experience and dedication to enhancing the overall health and well-being of pets. His commitment and passion for pet health continuously drives him to learn more about the art and science of homeopathy through ongoing training and education.
Submit Your QuestionDate: Jan 10, 2021
Category: Hair Loss
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: What causes constant itching and hair loss
Question:We have 4 rescue dogs, all of them scratch and chew at themselves constantly, they cry, whimper and are obviously uncomfortable. I live on SS and can't afford to take them to a vet, I know that isn't good for our dogs, but it is what it is. What can I do to help soothe them and stop the itch. They seem to chew mainly at the base of their tail, and the hair loss is on their back from their tail to their mid section. I have tried Benadryl, hydrocortizone cream, vinegar, dawn dish soap, we have tried all of the flea treatments, we live on 5 acres surrounded by fields so its impossible to treat our yard for fleas and ticks. Help us please.
Answer:There are many things that cause itching (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm Since all of your dogs are itching, mange is certainly a possibility. Treatment is easy but it requires a prescription from your veterinarian so take at least one in to get medication for all of them.
Date: Jan 7, 2021
Category: Hair Loss
Pet Type: Cat
Topic: keep lossing fair and have bald stop and vomitting a FTER SHE EATs
Question:
Answer:There are many things that cause hair loss (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm There are many underlying causes of vomiting as well: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/vomiting-causes-dog-cat-36.html
Date: Jan 6, 2021
Category: Hair Loss
Pet Type: Cat
Topic: Constant licking / bald spots
Question:Short hair domestic male cat. Approx. 12 yrs. old. Short hair domestic male cat. Approx. 7 yrs. old. My older cat started licking on back & legs to the point where he has created bald spots. Vet guessed it was anxiety. Other younger cat pulls his hair out. Have not inquired to vet as of yet. Wondering if there is a topical tx that could be applied for the itching besides Tabasco sauce ( lol ). Thanks in advance, Fur Mom of 4 rescue felines.
Answer:Nothing topical works very well. Treating the underlying cause is ideal. There are many things that cause hair loss like that (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Date: Jan 5, 2021
Category: Hair Loss
Pet Type: Cat
Topic: Loosing fur
Question:My cat is 11 yrs. old he started loosing his hair a few years ago I changed his cat food and most of it grew back well he’s loosing his fur again. What can I give him to stop it. Still the same cat food
Answer:There are many things that cause this kind of hair loss (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Date: Jan 4, 2021
Category: Hair Loss
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Chocolate Lab
Question:She seems to itchy and continues to rub against kennel. Has a lot of hair rubbed off.
Answer:There are many things that cause itching (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Date: Dec 11, 2020
Category: Hair Loss
Pet Type: Cat
Topic: scratching and hair loss on her tail near her rectum
Question:Streak gets her monthly flea meds, Flea 5X Plus, and it works for 2 or 3 weeks then she starts scratching again. Lately she has been digging at her tail. She is mostly an out door cat and indoors to eat. Also a heavy mouser. She is a spade female about 10 yrs old.
Answer:There are many things that cause itching (allergies, mange, ringworm, fleas, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm Try REvolution or Bravecto for better flea control.
Date: Dec 8, 2020
Category: Hair Loss
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Chunks of hair found
Question:Should I be concerned if my small female wirehaired terrier mix( whose luxuriant coat sheds year round) is leaving small chunks of hair from her neck behind. No itching, rash or irritation or bald spots, but I can now pull out hair from all over her which never happened before. Otherwise she seems ok. Thanks
Answer:I can't tell exactly what is going on from your description. They will sometimes blow their coat a little unevenly - I start to worry if they have focal areas of hair loss (bald spots) - that wouldn't be normal.
Date: Oct 11, 2020
Category: Hair Loss
Pet Type: Cat
Topic: Kitty’s tail
Question:I have a long haired cat who had a bushy tail like a Maine coon. She is three years old. All of a sudden her tail isn’t bushy any more. Looks scrawny. Is there a problem?
Answer:There are so many causes of hair loss like that (allergies, ringworm, mange, metabolic disorders, pyoderma, etc etc) you really need to determine an underlying cause because all of these are treated very differently. Here is a link to our article about hair loss, various causes and potential treatment options, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/dog-cat-hair-loss-18.htm
Date: Oct 10, 2020
Category: Hair Loss
Pet Type: Cat
Topic: Hair loss front legs
Question:My Siamese rescue, about 3 yrs old has has bald spots on her two front legs, she's indoor, I've had her for 2 yrs. This I noticed a few months ago, I looked at it, the skin looks clean and not irretadet. My male sometimes chases her. Could this be from stress? She eats and drinks normal. Thank you
Answer:It is possible, but there are so many causes of hair loss (allergies, ringworm, mange, stress, pyoderma, etc etc) you really need to determine an underlying cause because all of these are treated very differently. Here is a link to our article about hair loss, various causes and potential treatment options, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/dog-cat-hair-loss-18.htm
Date: Oct 5, 2020
Category: Hair Loss
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Hair loss on tail
Question:Has bald spots only appearing on tail. 13 yr old Australian Border Terrier.
Answer:There are many things that cause hair loss (allergies, hypothyroidism, cushing's disease, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Date: Sep 24, 2020
Category: Hair Loss
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Hair Loss & Itching
Question:Why is my dachshunds hair falling out on his back and he is constantly chewing on himself
Answer:There are many things that cause hair loss & itching (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Date: Sep 21, 2020
Category: Hair Loss
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Alopecia symptoms
Question:Our Pom shows signs of alopecia, Vet checked thyroid with normal range results. She has hair loss and dry flaky skin and also found out she has poultry allergies. I was told fish oil helps repair hair loss, is that true and if so which brand do you recommend if not what helps? Thank you
Answer:Here is a good Omega 3 supplement to try: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Welactin+Omega+3+Canine-prod11837.html. There are many things that cause hair loss like that (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Date: Sep 15, 2020
Category: Hair Loss
Pet Type: Cat
Topic: Ringworm
Question:Is there anything over the counter that I can get for my kitten that has ringworm?
Answer:Antifungal shampoos like this one can help, but they usually need prescription oral medication from your veterinarian: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Malaseb+Shampoo-prod10667.html
Date: Jun 17, 2020
Category: Hair Loss
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Fur sheds
Question:Hello dr I have 11 months old German shephard and he is shedding hair pl advice me what’s the reason Sam Thanks
Answer:Could be normal shedding. If there is patchy hair loss though: There are so many causes of alopecia (allergies, hypothyroidism, demodex, ringworm, pyoderma, etc etc) you & your veterinarian need to determine an underlying cause because all of these are treated very differently. Here is a link to our article about hair loss, various causes and potential treatment options, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/dog-cat-hair-loss-18.htm
Date: Jun 3, 2020
Category: Hair Loss
Pet Type: 4
Topic: Pulling fur and washing
Question:Hi, my name is Jaidyn and I have two rabbits named momo and robin. We got them spayed And nurtured a month ago and they have been living together For a few days and everything is fine except the male won?t stop pulling fur from my females head. Robin my female is losing all her fur because he keeps pulling it out. Why is he pulling her fur out and how can I help him stop? Robin doesn?t seem bothered but it looks terrible and it?s just not good. Also, can I give my rabbits a bath? And if I can what soap should I use?
Answer:I am solely a small animal (just dogs and cats) veterinarian so contact a veterinarian that specializes in exotics for help with your rabbits. You can often find them at your local veterinary school or on websites like Justanswer.com.
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