Anybody have a dog with this problem?

jonsav · 05-20-2007, 07:23 AM

I have a four year old Golden Retriever and a few months ago I noticed that she was developing a loss of hair on both sides of her chest.

I went to the vet and he said, after tests, that she had Alapechia (not sure if I have spelt it right), something I had never heard of.

She was not given any treatment, or tablets, we were just told that she would have to live with it.

Has anybody come across this problem before, and is there anything I can do. She has such a beautiful coat, but it is now being spoilt by these two bald patches.

Any comments or advice would be welcome.
Thank you
John

RonE · 05-20-2007, 07:39 AM

I believe alopecia is a symptom (hair loss) not a cause. Whether it can be treated would depend on the cause, which can range from an auto-immune disorder to mange to a few dozen other things.

It sounds like your vet didn't give you much to work with. I'd ask some questions and find out what diagnostic tests are available. Then you'd be in a better position to choose a course of action, if any.

It's entirely possible that the alopecia is totally cosmetic and won't affect her quality of life, but you'd want some assurance that there isn't some underlying, treatable problem.

Good luck to you and your dog. Nobody likes a medical mystery.

German Shepherd Lover · 05-20-2007, 08:05 AM

My GSD had a spot under his one front leg that lost all of its hair and actually was very dark in color(almost black). It had a smell to it also and was treated with antibiotics for about three weeks to clear it up.

I also had dogs over the years develope hot spots and they became bald and itrritated. What worked best for them was a shampoo with tar in it called Lytar(maybe spelled wrong) and available through the vets. Also there were a couple of human shampoos available that have tar as an ingredient and if my memory serves me correct, I think there a Nutragena product was one of them, it may have been called T-gell..

Ginny01OT · 05-20-2007, 09:46 AM

Alopecia is just hair loss, like what happens to some middle-aged men (or women for that matter). If the skin is dry you could give the dog some green tripe although it will not make the hair grow back or stop the balding pattern if it is something that will continue. Consider the green tripe a conditioning process for the hair that is still there and for the skin where the hair was. I get the canned most of the time as the smell is a lot easier to handle and I get it thru Sitstay.com or Petfooddirect.com. It is NOT dog food but to be giving along with a meal--I give half a can once a day. Tripett is the name and I use the lamb because it has menhaden fish oil in it.

JordanRiley · 05-21-2007, 10:31 AM

I was wondering if you had changed your dog's food. We changed the food to a less expensive food and her coat was so bad and it seemed as though her fur/hair was getting thinner. once we changed to something else, she was fine. Or is your dog allergic to something it's laying on or something in the yard??

bluesbarby · 05-21-2007, 03:18 PM

Alopechia (sp) is simply hair loss. It can be all over or nickel size circles. My daughter has a nickel sized spot near her right temple. It was diagnosed when she was 16. It can happen to anyone at any age. It comes and goes. She'll lose the hair. The spot will be bald but in time the hair will grow back. It's very common at least in humans and is the leading cause of female baldness. There is no treatment. She's almost 25 now and the incidents of baldness have gotten fewer and farther apart. Hers is in a spot she can hide with her long hair but she knows of people with spots in more difficult to hide spots. It won't hurt your dog.

Ginny01OT · 05-21-2007, 04:19 PM

You know you made me think (wonder of wonders)--I wonder if in the case of dogs, as in humans, it can be hormonal.....

bluesbarby · 05-22-2007, 01:21 PM

Ginny: It is not hormonal. They believe it's autoimmune, but it's non-contagious and possibly hereditary.

LeRoymydog · 05-22-2007, 04:10 PM

It's common in english bulldogs also. My eb had alopecia. At the same time every year he would loose his fur in both of his sides. His skin felt rubbery there also. It's nothing contagious. And there isn't really anything you can do for it.

Also, have your vet check a thyroid level. An abnormal one has hair loss, also.

borzoimom · 05-23-2007, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonE

I believe alopecia is a symptom (hair loss) not a cause. Whether it can be treated would depend on the cause, which can range from an auto-immune disorder to mange to a few dozen other things.

It sounds like your vet didn't give you much to work with. I'd ask some questions and find out what diagnostic tests are available. Then you'd be in a better position to choose a course of action, if any.

It's entirely possible that the alopecia is totally cosmetic and won't affect her quality of life, but you'd want some assurance that there isn't some underlying, treatable problem.

Good luck to you and your dog. Nobody likes a medical mystery.

I agree! sounds like its auto immune triggered. Lets treat the immune system. With collies and goldens, prone ot mange, mites, hair loss etc- the cause is auto immune mediated. What I have found to help tremendosly is " Sold Gold Seameal." Not only does it encough hair growth but also supports the immune system You can order it on line or at certain very good pet stores. Also add low levels of vitamin C. No more than 50 mg twice a day for a few weeks ( 3 weeks is common) then 50 mg given at night. Vitamin C is water soluable so if you give it at night, it will stay in the body longer. If the skin is dry ( you didnt say it was) but if it is- add about 50 mg of vitamin E once a day again at night feeding. If the skin is not dry- do not worry about vitamin e- solid gold has some in it.
I am not sure if I can attach the link for Solid gold on this forum. I am new. But if you do a google search of " Solid gold seameal" you can easily find it.