My dog is losing hair and getting thin. What could be the problem?

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Weight loss can be a sign of intestinal worms, organ dysfunction or disease (pancreatic insufficiency, liver shunts, kidney disease, liver inflammation/infection, etc.), food allergies or poor diet, and many other conditions. Hair loss can be due to parasites (mange, fleas, etc.), hypothyroidism, allergies (food or environment), immune diseases, etc. Given that Kalu is 2 years old, I would start by getting him dewormed and also get a product that treats for fleas, ticks and mange. See if his problems resolve. If they do not, then see your vet about testing. Best of luck with Kalu!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Doodles! There can be many reasons for hair loss: bacterial or yeast skin infection, Demodex mites, endocrine disorders (low thyroid, cushings), alopecia x and there is a hair loss condition linked to intact make dogs. I would have him seen for blood work that includes thyroid testing and a skin scraping. Putting dogs on Nexgard or Bravecto can also rule out demodex. I wish you the best

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am sorry that Zero is so sick! I would make sure that your Vet has done a skin scrape to check for mites under a microscope. Even if they don’t see any mites I would treat anyway. Nexgard monthly will get demodex and injectable ivermectin will get scabies. Sometimes if an animal is spending all of its time scratching they can lose weight. After treating prophylactically for mites I would try a prescription diet for food allergies, allergy test and make sure any skin infection is treated. Cytopoint and apoquel are good choices for skin allergies. I hope this helps! Good luck!

I'm sorry that Sid is having this issue. I strongly recommend you take her to the vet for an exam. It is very difficult to tell much from the photo you posted. Hairless can be caused by any number of issues: hormones (if she is not fixed), an underlying endocrine disease like Cushing's or hypothyroidism, parasites (mites, fleas, etc) or she may have an allergy or a bacterial or fungal infection of the skin. As you can see, it is not something that can be easily distinguished with an internet photo. You can certainly try a medicated shampoo. I do not know what you have available in India but I would suggest one like this one. Try to find one with the same active ingredients: https://petshopindia.com/dog-medicated-shampoo/venttura-dacderm-plus-antimicrobial-medicated-shampoo-200ml You could also try giving her some vitamins but if she won't take medicine she may not eat it: https://www.petsworld.in/petcare-nutricoat-advance-dog-supplement-200-gm.html I hope this helps. If you have any additional questions please feel free to ask again! Best wishes!

Hi, I'm Dr. Johnson. I think I just answered a question about Aysha! The tail tip doesn't worry me, a lot of dogs get the hairless area. My own dog has it. The other picture of the moth eaten appearance to her fur is not normal. A lot of skin conditions looks the same unfortunately. The hair loss could be form a skin infection (bacteria or yeast), from demodex (a non contagious mite) or ring worm. Also I know we were discussing her being over weight and a low thyroid. A low thyroid can predispose dogs to skin infections. Also food allergies can also. I think you have a few reasons to see your Vet now! Good luck!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Lily Cruz! Is Lily scratching? I would have her seen by your Vet. The most common causes of excessive shedding and areas of balding are: demodex (non-contagious mite), ring worm and a skin infection. Demodex can be easily treated with one of the oral flea/tick preventatives (Nexgard, Simparica or Bravecto). Skin infections are treat with antibiotics or anti-fungals if it is yeast. Ring worm can be a bit more complicated. I do not think it is normal shedding because she shouldn't have areas that are thin or balding. I wish you the best!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Tayson! There are many causes for hair loss. With out seeing a picture or examining Tayson I can't be sure of the cause specifically for him. Possible causes are: normal shedding (shouldn't have bare spots of skin), fleas, bacterial or yeast skin infection, demodex mites, scabies mites and ring worm. If Tayson has bare patches on his coat he should see a Vet for a diagnosis. I wish you both the best!