Ask the Vet About Hair Loss in Dogs and Cats
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.
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Question:What does hair loss mean for a 6 year old dog
Answer:There are so many causes of alopecia (allergies, hypothyroidism, demodex, ringworm, pyoderma, etc etc) you & your veterinarian 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
Question:I have a almost 14-year-old for baby, who has a lot of non-benign tumors in his body. He has had Removal surgery, but they have came back. He still runs around like he is five years old, although he is extremely overweight. I can tell that these tumors hurt him, but they’re not unbearable. Recently, I started giving him salmon oil, and he received that for a few months. I’ve noticed a bald spot on the back of him near his upper tail. It is about the size of A half dollar. It is completely bald, but he has a lot of dandruff. This has never happened before. You can tell that his skin, is irritating him. He constantly sheds, but he’s never had a bald spot. What do I do? I also wanted to see about getting him some type of pain reliever for his tumors, and his joints. He loves to go swimming, and I can’t keep him out of the lake. However, when he paddles, his biggest humor which is almost the size of a basketball is right beside his right leg, on his chest. So he rubs it back-and-forth, and you can tell that it hurts him. He can still hear, and is very energetic sometimes. But, he doesn’t even hear me when I come in the door anymore if he is sleeping. So my initial question is what can I do for his hair loss, irritated skin, joint pain, and tumor pain?
Answer:There are many things that cause hair loss & irritated skin (allergies, mange, ringworm, hypothyroidism, 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 treatment options for pain, I will attach our article detailing many of these but the article was written a couple years ago and there are even more, so contact your veterinarian to see what might be right for your dog. Here is a link to many over-the-counter and prescription options: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/cats-dogs-arthritis-treatment-2.htm Losing weight will help the pain and will shrink the fatty tumors a little, so definitely start working on that.
Question:My 7yr old silver tabby is constantly pulling her fur out, I have given her over the counter drops of skin and itch, its heart breaking to see all the fur she pulls out. Have any suggestions ? Thank You in advance.
Answer: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. Allergies are the most common - Allergies can be frustrating because they continue to recur until you figure out what they are allergic to and often it is multiple things. The good thing is that there are a LOT of treatment options available now, many more than are listed in this article but here is a link to our article about treating allergies which starts by discussing "avoiding allergens" and lists many over-the-counter and prescription treatment options: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm Be sure she is on good flea control like Revolution or Bravecto.
Question:My cat had hair loss at site where flea meds applied. Russian Blue 4/years old.
Answer:This is fairly common - contact the manufacturer about how to keep this from happening in the future - their hotline experts are usually very helpful. Switching to Revolution or Bravecto may be more effective against the fleas and not cause the hair loss.
Question:I Have two pit bulls who have been eating dry Canadae dog food since birth. They are losing the hair on their tails. any recommendations?
Answer:There is so much competition in pet food nowadays, our pets eat much healthier than we do, for sure, so there are many options. The big 4 food companies police each other so carefully, I lean toward their food because I know it has been heavily scrutinized: Royal Canin, Science Diet, Purina, and Blue Buffalo. And then I'm proud of Petco for recently banning all foods that have artificial ingredients, so walk into your local Petco and pick from one of the brands above. Then add some fatty acids to help that hair regrow as well, like this product: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Welactin+Omega+3+Canine-prod11837.html Consult your veterinarian for further testing if it doesn't improve or continues to worsen to look for an underlying cause - there are many possibilities.
Question:My cat when to the groomers and have patches in her fur is their any thing I could use to get it to grow back faster?
Answer:Good quality food and essential fatty acids may help, like this product: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Free+Form-prod11678.html
Question:Our 12 yr old cat started losing hair on her stomach and legs. This started a month or two after we got a new kitten. Is this anxiety related? Is there something we can do for her? We've made sure to make her her own safe space the new kitten doesn't go. We give them both the same affection and food so neither feels neglected or favored. I'm not sure what else we can do.
Answer:There are many things that cause hair loss like that (allergies, ringworm, mange, 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
Question:..My 6 year old cat is pulling his hair to where it bleeds in some spots..sometimes its from scratching... I chanced his food..helped for while but now he is back doing again....help 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 Allergies can be frustrating because they continue to recur until you figure out what they are allergic to and often it is multiple things. The good thing is that there are a LOT of treatment options available now, many more than are listed in that article but here it starts by discussing "avoiding allergens" which is key to long term success in treating allergies.
Question:2 mos ago we adopted a 2 yr kitty. Raven had a weepy eye and hair loss at her tail base, rear hip & butt. I was told Raven’s hair loss was a flea allergy. A vet said get Viralys. I put it on her nose & paw but she wouldn’t ingest it. He also said give her 1/2 Zyrtec daily. She’s got new hair yet new areas missing. Help please. She’s a happy, good girl loving her new family.
Answer: Allergies can be frustrating because they continue to recur until you figure out what they are allergic to and often it is multiple things. The good thing is that there are a LOT of treatment options available now, many more than are listed in this article but here is a link to our article about treating allergies which starts by discussing "avoiding allergens" and lists many over-the-counter and prescription treatment options: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:I TRY TO HELP HER WITH FLEA &TICK SPRAY FOR HER SCRATCHING. I THINK SHE HAS ALLERGIES. SHE;S BEEN IN THE HOUSE ALOT BECAUSE OF COV. I TRIED TO GET HER TO SEE OUR VET.BUT MY CAR IS NOT RUNNING VERY WELL. PLEASE TRY TO HELP ME.
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 Your veterinarian will also be able to prescribe the best flea & tick medications (Nexgard or Bravecto).
Question:We have a Boykin Spaniel and she has been itching since she was a puppy. We have changed foods. We currently have her on Salmon and Sweet potatoes from 4Health. She has a patch of hair that is gone under her neck. The rest of her coat is filled in but she does shed a lot. Any ideas?
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
Question:My pet dog is 9 years old. Near the backboth side he is scracing and falling hair . not all over the body I applied Antimox but no answer.What can I do ? What tablet is best.
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
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.
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
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
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