Why is my dog losing so much hair even though she's brushed?

Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach to address your concern. It does appear that from the photos you have attached Missy is losing hair. I can see hair loss on her front left arm, around her eye and on her abdomen it looks a bit discolored. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her and have some testing done to help determine what this could be. The hair loss may be due to a primary skin condition such as an infection or a systemic disease such as hypothyroidism or cushing's disease. I would recommend having her blood tested to see if there are any causes that may be evident on blood work and have her skin examined so that the most appropriate treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.

Hair falling out can be pathological if it is related to an infection or fleas. It can also be due to normal shedding, which German Shepherds tend to have a thick under coat and the hair often falls out in clumps. I recommend to check the skin for redness, scaling, excessively dry skin, fleas or bleeding. If you see this, then you know it's pathologic. If there are not skin abnormalities, then hopefully it's normal shedding but without being able to see it, its hard to say. Your veterinarian or a groomer would be a good resource to know if this is normal hair loss or not. I hope this helps to point you in the right direction. Please feel free to post any additional questions!

A low thyroid is definitely a possibility that is contributing. Allergies from something in the environment, fleas or food can also play a role. The dark pigmentation with the creases on the legs can also be a secondary yeast or bacterial infection that is making this worse. he needs to see a vet to have the thyroid checked and address the skin infection. From there a medicated shampoo in a weekly bath is helpful. They can see what might be the underlying cause and get you appropriate medicine to try to stay ahead of it in the future.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Bathing too much can cause increased hair loss. The most common reasons for hair loss are: skin infection, ring worm, demodex or underlying metabolic issue like a low thyroid and cushing's disease (older dogs). Also in some breeds, like boxers, will get a seasonal flank alopecia. Without seeing a picture it is hard to know what is causing Derby's hair to fall out. It is best to have him seen by your Vet. I hope this helps and I wish Derby the very best!

I am assuming that this is a dog? The areas of hair loss on the skin could be caused my a multitude of problems, but most common would be something called demodex. Demodex is a mite that is present mostly in very young dogs or dogs with immune suppression from other conditions. I would encourage you to have her evaluated by your veterinarian soon. They may recommend a skin scrape to look for mites. Sometimes even if they aren’t found a trial therapy is still recommended. Best of luck and I hope they resolve quickly. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

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!

Shedding fur, even seemingly large amounts, is completely normal for most dogs. If your dog has never shed like this in the past, or if she is losing so much fur she is having bald patches, then I would be concerned. Poor hair growth and cost condition can be due to poor nutrition/diet or an underlying medical condition like hypothyroidism. If you feel like the amount Soska is shedding is abnormal I would recommend a visit to your veterinarian to have her examined and possibly to have blood work performed. In the meantime you can supplement her diet with some fish oil (specifically omega 3 fatty acids) and see if that helps her coat. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck!