Why is my Chihuahua losing hair on sides & chest with no itching?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If he is itchy at all then it could be due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

It sounds like Chachi has a lot going on! What I am understanding Is that Chachi is lethargic (just lying in bed all day), he has gained about a pound and a half over the last 6 months despite eating less. He has symmetrical hair loss and is aways cold, and his vision in the dark is getting worse. You were told that the cause of the hair loss was CDA (color dilution alopecia). While this could cause the hair loss, CDA does not cause other symptoms in addition to hair loss; CDA does not explain the lethargy or weight gain. Melatonin has not helped his symptoms. I am a little confused on his T4 results. Was a whole thyroid panel run, including a TSH? Were there any abnormalities on general bloodwork? (cbc and chemistry profile) All of this information can be helpful in piecing together what the problem is and how to best manage it. An abdominal ultrasound may also be recommended to more fully evaluate what may be causing the lethargy and weight gain. It may be worth considering a consultation with an internal medicine specialist. Their advanced knowledge and experience managing complicated endocrine cases can be extremely helpful in cases that are difficult to manage. Find one near you here: https://find.vetspecialists.com I am sorry that I don't have any specific answers or recommendations for you and Chachi, but I don't really have enough information to fathom a guess at what may be causing his issue. You can request an online consultation for a "back and forth" exchange of information that may be more beneficial to you. Again, I encourage you to consider seeing a specialist with Chachi. Thank you for using PetCoach!

Hair loss can be caused by bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, dietary or environmental allergies or sensitivities, immune system disorders, or a combination of the above. I recommend making an appointment to have Pixie seen by your veterinarian to help determine the cause of the hair loss as soon as you can. The vet may want to look at a sample from the areas of hair loss (taken by a procedure known as a skin scraping) and examined under the microscope to determine what kind(s) of infection may be present and to figure out what medication is appropriate for treatment. Good luck!

Excessive shedding of hair can be due to things like stress, certain endocrine diseases, primary dermatologic diseases, or natural loss due to seasonal changes. Based on her unusual cries for attention, she may be less comfortable / contented than she normally is for one reason or another. Pairing this with her inability to gain weight, I would say that it is certainly time to have your veterinarian examine her. While you do not seem to be able to appreciate any identifiable pain response, a thorough physical exam might reveal something less obvious. Reasons for failure to gain weight are usually related to the gastrointestinal tract and will typically include gastrointestinal parasites, certain types of cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or generalized anorexia. Hope this helps and that you are able to figure things out for you and Mamas.

Consider a consultation with a veterinary dermatologist. Frequently, bilateral hair loss in that area is caused by a thyroid condition. You can have blood submitted to Michigan State University for a comprehensive thyroid function panel. You can find more information at this site: https://www.dcpah.msu.edu/sections/endocrinology/ The dermatologist can test for infection (bacterial, fungal, mites, etc) or allergies. There seems to be many bumps/irritation in the area. An extended course of antibiotics may resolve a stubborn skin infection. An essential fatty acid supplement, such as DermCaps or EicosaCaps may promote healthy skin and coat.

You can see this occur in some dogs and it can be completely normal but, just like anything, it can be pathologic as well. Monitor the skin very closely for redness, itching, progression of hairloss or scabbing. If these signs are seen it is more likely pathologic and he should be examined by his veterinarian. Otherwise point it out to the veterinarian at his next regularly scheduled exam. An omega-3 fatty acid can help maintain good skin and coat health. Make sure to get a supplement for dogs specifically. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hair loss can have a variety of causes. One of the first things to determine is whether he is scratching himself in that area or not. Dogs often scratch themselves at night when we are sleeping so it is harder to see. If he is scratching, the hair loss could be due to parasites such as fleas or mites, a bacterial infection, yeast overgrowth, or skin allergies. If he does not seem to be itchy, hair loss can be caused by hormonal changes or certain endocrine diseases. These are just some of the possibilities. In order to determine what is most likely, I recommend taking him to your local veterinarian for a thorough exam and an initial skin test if needed to determine the cause.