Hair loss problems can really dog your dog’s wellness. Not just about dogs, if you have a cat pet that has hair loss problem; the situation will be like a cat on the bricks. Isn’t it? Dog hair loss and cat hair loss are serious problems.
These problems emanate from various factors as discussed in the following text.
One of the main reasons for dog hair loss is mange. It irritates the dog’s skin leading to hair loss, occasionally accompanied by itching sensation and inflammation. Mange is found in different forms such as demodectic and sarcoptic. When you find tiny hairless patches around your dog’s eyes, you should know that demodectic mange mites have begun to do the damage.
Most dogs are known to have these mites, known as Demodex Canis, transferred from their mothers through cuddling when they were small puppies. A dog remains largely unaffected by these mites, until they spread all over its body and cause infection.
Demodectic mange can be of three types - local, general, and pododermatitis. The local one is a red and scaly lesion on the face or forelegs that mostly disappears without any outside intervention. It is better to let it go away on its own, especially in case of puppies. The general demodectic mange affects the entire dog, leading to patchy fur, bald, and scaly skin. The pododermatitis form is usually localized and keeps itself confined to a dog’s paws.
Sarcoptic mange mites produce severe itching and crusting. These can be transmitted to other dogs and even humans. Dog hair loss is caused by two other factors - allergy (with frequent licking) and nutrient deficiency (in case there is no skin irritation).
When you take your dog to a vet, the vet will usually scrape the dog’s skin to test it to get the right diagnosis. It is better to keep affected dogs isolated from other dogs and clean their bedding and places.
Mange can be treated in various ways such as using parasiticidal shampoo, topical or oral medication, and injections as well. Treatment of mange requires some patience on your part as it is time-consuming, needs repeated applications, and in most cases calls for veterinary care. If the dog is younger, the chances of cure are better. Cure, however, is not guaranteed in all cases.
If you want to stop your dog losing hair due to allergy or nutrient deficiency, you must get a reputed brand of food to pre-empt nutritional problems, maintain your dog in a condition free of worms and fleas, and never forget to give your dog its vaccinations. Always seek the advice of a vet whenever there is a problem.
There are a number of causes for cat hair loss - the most common among them include - fleas, ticks and allergies, ringworms, hormone problems, and stress or anxiety.
Fleas, mites, or other parasites sometimes force a cat to lick, bite, or scratch excessively that finally results in hair loss, normally on its stomach and inner thighs. As many cats are found to be allergic to parasites, when bitten, they worry that particular area so much that they lose hair. In some cases, this extreme reaction causes ulceration. Allergy to a food or food ingredient may make a cat itch all over its body. As a result, it begins scratching vigorously which results in loss of hair.
Ringworm, a type of fungal infection, is another reason for cat hair loss. The infection usually takes place in its hair, the outer layers of its skin or in its claws. Although some cats remain unaffected by ringworm, some lose hair, visible in circular patches, on the body, head, and ears. Ringworm is contagious, and can be transmitted from one cat to another, and even humans.
There are some particular hormones that cause the growth of hair in cats. Whenever there is a hormonal imbalance, i.e., there is either surplus or shortage of such hormones, there is a likelihood of cat hair loss.
Cats are highly susceptible to any changes in their familiar surroundings and often become upset if such changes occur. The anxiety and mental stress also causes loss of hair in them.
If your cat is found losing its hair on account of parasites, you have to seek a vet’s advice to eradicate the parasites from both your cat and its environment. Various factors causing cat hair loss show the same types of symptoms. A vet usually first looks for other causes, and tests for food allergy only when the other causes are ruled out.
Some proteins usually cause the disorder and the vet might place your cat on a three-month experimental diet limited to a prescription brand food consisting of protein and carbohydrates that your cat never ate before. Although ringworm sometimes goes away on its own, you should consult your vet if you find infection.
The vet may prescribe tablets and ointment, or lotion for your cat’s skin. In case of hormone problems, your cat may have to undergo hormone therapy. For anxiety or stress-related problems in your cat, vet usually prescribes anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication.
