First time dog owner, questions about hair loss.

KellyP

Hi everybody.
I JUST adopted my dog yesterday. He's not home with us yet as he has to be neutered first.

He's a pom estimated to be between 2 and 3. He was found as a stray then taken in and fostered.

He's missing ALL his hair on his backside.
His tail is full, as are the frount and sides of his back legs and the rest of him is a full healthy coat.

They said they found him like that.

I didn't want to not adopt him just because he's missing some hair, but I want to find out what this is incase it's serious?

Any ideas what this could be and waht's going to happen when I take him to the vet?

We had a greyhound when I was a kid and it almost looks like that.
Like he was in a cage?

gingersmom

It could be mange. I would get him checked by a vet before you agree to take him. You never know -- he could have heartworm or some other serious condition. Taking him to the vet should be the first thing you do with a new dog anyway.

Regi

That happened to my chi too she lost hair on the sides of her head her dumper and a few spots on her back and people were saying its a food allergy I switched foods and she has hair all over the place now. Try that.. change the food to something more plain. It may work for u oh and I wash her with medicated oatmeal shampoo as well. Good Luck

alphadoginthehouse

I'm assuming the foster has taken him to the vet. You should ask for his vet records. If they are taking him to be neutered, have the vet check out the hair loss while he's there.

It's not a case of not wanting him but you need to know why the hair loss is there. It could be that he chewed it off from fleas or another type of allergy. He should have a clean bill of health (or the foster should be able to tell you what is wrong). If they can't, then IMO, you have a reason NOT to take him until you do know. You could be getting yourself into some high vet bills for a dog you haven't even bonded with.

Good luck!

Dorkface<3

Mla nutrituon, mange, mites, anything. I dont really know though.

CrazyDog

My thoughts exactly!

The most common health problems in pomeranians are Hypothyroidism and SHLS (also known as Black Skin Disease). Hair loss is a symptom of both these diseases. These two genetic diseases may require medication for the rest of the dogs life and could be very expensive to treat...... If the dog has any of these diseases it leads me to believe the dog could also have other genetic diseases too......

Other causes of hair loss in pomeranians is mange, mites, allergies, fleas, diabetes, dermatitis, bacterial skin infections......... the list goes on........

Also, if the dog was shaved or the hair was cut really short (you should never shave this type of dog), most of the time the hair does not grow back correctly........ Could also be a possibility.......

If I were you I would have a full panel done by the vet before you adopt the dog so you know what you are getting into.

I wish you the best of luck!