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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Why is my dog going bald?

19 replies

VivaLeBeaver · 30/07/2013 19:14

He's always been scratchy since we got him three months ago and his fur is falling out where he scratches.

He had fleas when we got him and I frontlined him. Still saw the odd flea so did advocate two weeks ago. He's still scratching and the last couple of days I noticed bald patches. No sign of any fleas now.

He's been bathed fairly frequently as he rolls in shit quite a bit. I've been trying not to bath him for a while as I was worried I was bathing him too much (nearly weekly). He hasn't had a bath for three weeks now, we used special sensitive dog shampoo.

Do I bath him again? Not bath him? G to the vet?

OP posts:
toboldlygo · 30/07/2013 19:19

Vet - could be any number of things.

Out of interest where are the bald patches, what breed of dog is he and what is he fed?

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 30/07/2013 19:22

Bald patches are kind of on his body, behind where his front legs meet his body.

He's a wire haired Podengo. He's on royal Canin.

Diet did cross my mind, aren't some dogs itchy because of cereal in the dog food?

OP posts:
chickensaladagain · 30/07/2013 19:22

Could be mites -get him to a vet, poor thing sounds uncomfortable whatever it is

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 30/07/2013 19:30

I've googled mites, the advocate he had the other week is meant to kill all types of mites as well as fleas.

OP posts:
Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 30/07/2013 19:30

I will take him to the vet though, thanks.

OP posts:
toboldlygo · 30/07/2013 19:36

Hair loss on elbows and underside of chest is typical of mange - if you rub the flap of one of his ears between your fingers does he start scratching on that side? It's not foolproof but there's often that particular scratch reflex there.

Royal Canin does contain a lot of cereals which some dogs do react to but in my experience it's usually more dandruffy scaley yeasty things rather than intense itching and patches of hair loss.

That said, it could be a bazillion other things!

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 30/07/2013 19:53

If it is mange what can the vet do apart from give him more advocate?

I've had a closer look. He doesn't have bald patches as such, he still has fur but is soft, downy fur. His wire coat isn't on his sides/behind his front legs but he's not down to the skin.

No sign of fleas or flea dirt at all, went over him thoroughly. Saw a couple of blobs of what looked like dandruff specks?

OP posts:
pod3030 · 30/07/2013 19:56

What about ringworm?

toboldlygo · 30/07/2013 19:56

I think Aludex baths are still fairly standard - bit of a PITA I'm afraid.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 30/07/2013 21:56

Ok, I've had a look at his tummy and he has brown, flakey scabs under his (thin) fur. Seen a YouTube video about puppy mange and the pup on the video had the same scabs.

Can't believe how fast its happened. He was fine on Saturday, I thought he looked slightly patchy on Sunday. And today it's really noticeable.

Will ring the vets first thing.

OP posts:
PickledMoomin · 30/07/2013 21:57

Thyroid? Happened to my brother's dog

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 31/07/2013 08:43

Just seen a flea on him.

Am going to spray the whole house with indorax. But we can't have a lot of fleas as normally dh gets bitten to buggery if there's fleas.

OP posts:
DIddled · 31/07/2013 08:51

My pup had démodectic mange when we bought him. Patchy bald Greasy fur. Vet said he was likely bred from a mangy mum and all his litter mates were probably similarly affected. Vet was concerned and said it can be potentially fatal. Cost us hundreds in vets bills for aforementioned Aludex baths . Please get it sorted as its very uncomfortable for the dog :(

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 31/07/2013 08:54

The shampoos only £13 a bottle online, how long did he need baths for?

OP posts:
1MitchellMum · 31/07/2013 10:33

Cushing's is another thing that can make them lose their hair. But I'm thinking it's probably not that from what you've said. Just something to bear in mind. Hope it's not Cushing's though - lots of tests to diagnose and expensive drugs.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 31/07/2013 10:54

Well the vet thinks its fleas.

Found one solitary flea on him at the vets. So vet thinks the advocate is working but that we still have fleas in the house who will be taking a nibble on him. So off to Hoover, Hoover, indorex, Hoover, indorex.

All dog bedding in the washing machine and more advocate in a fortnight.

OP posts:
1MitchellMum · 31/07/2013 11:02

That's good news ... good news that it isn't something more serious I mean. A pain for you now though!

DIddled · 01/08/2013 23:05

The vet insisted on a half day admission for the baths as he said it made them drowsy and had side effects -charged accordingly for the admission of course- he had a few sessions.

It was six years ago - so I can't get too wound up that by the sounds of things I might have been totally ripped off!!!

He is fine now - just dossing on the sofa!!! ( love my dogs!!!)

oldandcrabby · 04/08/2013 23:06

I have heard that salmon oil really helps with skin conditions, it could be worth trying.

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