Hair loss... Dogs not mine!! HELP!!

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Charlie007

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A friend has a lovely black lab, just turned 1. She started a few months ago with a bit of hair loss round her ears. The vet said it was an ear infection. Gave the appropriate drugs but it didn't help. The hair loss spread round the ears, own onto the face. At this point vet tested for mange (sp) or mites. Test came back negative. The hair loss is now spreading onto her legs. The vet has refered her to a dermatologist. The only thing my friend has done is change her from puppy food to adult food, he fed her dry beta purina. He has now changed her food as it could possibly be an allergy? Any ideas or experiences???
 
Could be an allergy, could be alopecia, could be atopic, could be a thyroid issue, could be Cushings.

Is it just falling out, or is she scratching/licking/self mutilating? What does the skin look like underneath? Is it normal, or black, thickened, smelly?
 
He said she is itchy and as far as I know the skin is normal. He did mention that her coat was remarkably shiny. Could this be a problem? IE Over producing oil or something?
 
My dog had a very greasy coat when atopic but that is a side effect rather than a cause and some dogs can be allergic to the bacteria on their own skin so it is a vicious circle, fun!!!!

Re allergies, it could be food, yes, I had to feed mine Beta in an emergency and I could not believe what came out the other end!
She may be intolerant to grain, like wheat, rice, corn, etc.
Allergies can also occur against parasites, like mites/fleas etc, grass and tree pollen, household products (partic anything with pine scent/fragrance in it) carpet, smoke, perfume, plastics, bedding...might be worth getting her a full allergy work-up and simplifying her diet as much as possible.

FE my dog is sensitive to tree pollen, high protein foods, wheat, bacteria on his skin, etc etc etc!!!

The best person to ask is the vet and TBH if not happy, change - I changed vets from one just down the road to 40 miles away because he actually helped us deal with the problem and firefight rather than scratch his head, say 'I don't know, it could be anything' and give us lots of drugs for when the situation had got too far.
 
Not sure of answer but one of my friends dog (boxer) had alopecia with other complications and was quite ill. Believe me, he's better now:D just doggy sat him for 2 weeks. If the vet mentions a drug called Atopica (treatment for allergic reaction to bites - prescription drug, severe cases) it costs a fortune (15 tabs about £90 from the vet, cheaper online) BUY IT!!! I had to use it on my Setter for other reasons (Menigitis - long story) but worked a treat and saved her life.
 
No worries, took us a good 12-18 months to get to the bottom of B's issues and was much helped by the change of vet, so good luck.

If it is any consolation, at Christmas time 2009 he was bald from his throat right down underneath to his inner thighs and had started on his face and ears, totally miserable, he is 100% fine now, just antihistamines daily and once or twice shampooed with Malaseb and an anti-grease shampoo if he starts looking greasy.
He's on a low protein mulch...er, food! And gets raw a couple of times a week.

Once you know what it is, it will be easier to manage, hopefully and once you know what to look out for, easier to nip it in the bud once it starts again.
 
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