What causes dog dandruff and hair loss? How to treat it affordably?

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! From your pictures I think the crusts are epidermal collarettes which are the end results of a pustule. A pustule usually indicates a bacterial skin infection. Skin infections can be from allergies due to food or the environment. Ideally oral antibiotics are used to clear bacterial skin infections. If she is also itchy then we prescribe medications to helps that as well. Below is a medicated shampoo that may help. I recommend bathing 2-3 times per week and allowing the lather to sit on for 10 mins on the affected areas before rinsing. If the skin doesn't improve I recommend a Vet exam. I wish Bella a speedy recovery! https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27306

No photo is attached. Please give us more of a description of what you are seeing with your Bella. Fleas can cause skin problems so I’m glad you bathed her and have treated for fleas. With more information we can provide better treatment advice. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Bella.

I wouldn’t call this a rash. It looks like ulcers and possible primary or secondary infection. I would recommend taking Bella to the vet for evaluation. They will do a thorough examination of all of her skin and can take sample to evaluate under the microscope to determine what is going on. Until she sees the vet, you can use a medicated shampoo like the one linked below to treat for possible bacterial or fungal infection: https://www.amazon.com/Dechra-Formulated-Antibacterial-Antifungal-Shampoo/dp/B01AT4CVLC/ref=sr_1_6?crid=28NLGBI8ZNPR&dchild=1&keywords=dechra+medicated+dog+shampoo&qid=1630790950&sprefix=Dechra+medi%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-6

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. From the pictures that you provided my primary suspicions would be a skin infection. There are some things that you can do at home if you are unable to get to a vet right away. I would suggest starting with a shampoo that is medicated such as Duoxo chlorhexidine PS combination and bathe him twice weekly until the infection is resolved. I would also suggest starting welactin omega-3 fish oil and essential 6 Spot On by dermoscent. If there is no improvement then I would see your vet for further testing and treatments. I hope this helps! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I am also available via phone or text base consultation if needed

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is concerning as the wounds are large and extensive. I would be concerned that this could be some form of immune mediated disease or a reaction to something in the environment or medication or perhaps an infection of some sort. I recommend that you have Bella evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and treat accordingly. Diagnostics will likely include infectious disease testing and a skin biopsy. Good luck and have a great day!

Poor Gucci! It is difficult to see exactly what is going on with those pictures and without an exam. From the location of hair loss and dandruff, my biggest concern would be allergies especially to fleas. I would make sure she is on a high quality flea preventative like nexgard or comfortis. I would also make sure you treat your house and yard and any other animals in the house for fleas as well. Fleas live in the environment, not on the animals. I would also start her on some omega-3 fatty acids to help moisturize her coat and heal her from the inside out. I have included a link to a good one by vetriscience. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/dog/vetri-science-laboratories-omega-3-6-9-dog-and-cat-gel-caps Also, if she is itchy, you can try giving her benadryl. Here is a link for more information on benadryl. https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/benadryl If this doesn't help, she has scabs/sores in that areas, redness, or she isn't feeling well, then I would have your vet take a look at her. There is a chance that she could also have a secondary bacterial or yeast infection that needs to be addressed. She may also need stronger allergy meds. Your vet will be able to help determine the cause and get her start on the proper meds to help her feel better. I hope this helps!

I'm sorry to hear that Bella has been so itchy. In dogs, itching can be caused by a variety of different conditions, with the most common including underlying allergies, fleas, ringworm, or mange. When dogs scratch, they damage the outermost layers of the skin barrier, which can lead to the onset of a skin infection. Infections then causes further itching, creating a vicious cycle. The skin on Bella's neck and the inside of her knee do look as though it may be infected. Chronic inflammation, endocrine/hormonal disorders, and autoimmune conditions can all lead to the dark pigment change with the skin thickening that's visible in the pictures. (We call this lichenification and it resembles elephant skin.) The persistence of Bella's itching could certainly lead to such chronic inflammation. Regardless, it's really important that Bella is examined by a vet so that appropriate treatment can be started. Your vet may need to do some skin testing to check for microscopic evidence of infection, as well as checking for mange (caused by mites) or ringworm (a fungal infection). Then, based on those results, they'll be able to prescribe medications to help her feel better. I hope that she's on the mend soon!