Losing fur...any ideas?

[BrunosMum]

Bruno went to the vets this week for his annual check up and vaccinations. Whilst we were there she noticed (I had also) that he was losing fur on his sides. One side is worse than the other.

She tested for Demodex which was negative. She said it could be seasonal, so he has to have 6mg of melatonin twice a day for a few weeks. If this doesn't work he will be tested for hypothyroid. He has no symptons, no itchy, scaly skin. If this is a seasonal thing, why didn't it happen last year? We got him last summer.

Has anyone else come across this in their bullies.

I feel like a bad Mum, because I don't like the "not knowing". I don't want him ending up losing more fur.

I have attached a photo.

 

[kazzy220]

It certainly could be seasonal alopecia .....and sometimes allergies don't show up until they are about a year old. If it's seasonal alopecia then you may notice that the skin where it goes bald will turn black-ish.

 

[BrunosMum]

Thanks Kazzy. Bruno is two next month. The skin isn't black at the moment. He still has fur, it's just thinner than normal.

 

[GRACIE11]

Having the exact same problem....Gracie just turned 10 months. The vet told me the exact same thing only he wanted to send her to a specialist. I'm waiting on that for awhile until I get her tested for allergies and test her thyroid......(just got mine checked waiting for the results) Oh and I even changed her food from Fromm to Earthborn. I have not seen a difference yet but it's only been 6 weeks. She does take allergy meds too.

 

[BrunosMum]

My next step will be the thyroid test. Bruno has been on Fromm since December. Fingers crossed it is just a seasonal thing for both Bruno & Gracie.

 

[BrunosMum]

Keep me posted with your results Gracie, it would be interesting to know the outcome.

 

[GRACIE11]

Keep me posted with your results Gracie, it would be interesting to know the outcome.

Thanks! I will, you also keep me updated:D

 

[Tiffany B]

My Rollie's thyroid doesn't function at all, 2 blood tests later. That was the cause of his hair falling out, but his bald spots look black & leathery. They are on his sides. He takes 1 pill a day, they are pretty inexpensive. Good luck, hope you get some answers soon!


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[BrunosMum]

Thanks! I will, you also keep me updated:D

I certainly will.

 

[BrunosMum]

Thanks Tiffany. Bruno's thinning patches aren't black and leathery, unless that develops over time.

 

[kazzy220]

Thanks Tiffany. Bruno's thinning patches aren't black and leathery, unless that develops over time.

Yes ... it develops over time.

 

[GRACIE11]

Gracie's are more patchy spots.....To me she looks a little rough They are just small spots that look like she has dark spots on her sides but really it is where the hair is missing. It has gotten better on her back and the hair grew back darker. But now it has moved to her sides and she gets more and more as the days go on. No itching though.

 

[Fontanafox]

BabyGirl has this fur loss on only one side. Sometimes it grows back in for a few months. This spring it fell out again in the same place. So far no blackened skin, just her freckles showing through. Had her tested and thyroid results were normal so don't know why. She's normal otherwise.

 

[Vicaroo1000]

"Black and Leathery" describes Bea's seasonal flank alopecia spots (once fully developed) to a "T". It doesn't itch or hurt her; it's just cosmetic. She gets a bath in a moisturizing shampoo (which is more for me that her, really). I wonder if white dog's alopecia appears differently than brown dogs? (once fully developed) I started salmon oil a month ago or so and I don't know that it's helping or not with the alopecia. It seemed to help with shedding for a time but it's hard to say since we're going into summer.....

 

[BrunosMum]

Thank you to everyone for your input.