My 8-year-old Shih Tzu is slowly losing hair. Why is this happening?

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I recommend a vet visit for Toby to assess the cause of his hairloss. Hairloss can be from allergies, parasites, endocrine disorders or breed related alopecia. Depending on what the veterinarian finds during Toby's exam they may recommend diagnostic testing to look for a primary skin disorder or bloodwork to check for endocrine (such as thyroid or adrenal gland) abnormalities. I hope this helps.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to us concerning your pets hair loss. Yes, hypothyroidism can be a cause of an older dogs hair loss. The clinical signs of hypothyroidism are no itchy hair loss, panting, constantly seeking out vents or shady places because the heat bothers them, etc. but this condition usually begins between the ages of two and five but there are some situations in which happens at an older age. There are many other diseases that can also cause hair loss so it is in your best interest To take him to a veterinarian to have a full physical examination performed. The vet will be able to run tests such as blood work up, thyroid testing, skin scraping, etc. to be able to make a diagnosis and put him on the correct treatment. I hope this information has helped. Have a great day.

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!

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 Petcoach! Poor Jaes! Causing for hair falling out are: skin infection from yeast or bacteria, ringworm (fungal infection), fleas or mites. There are 2 types of mites: Scabies (infectious mite) and demodex (non-contagious mite. There may be other causes in India that I am not aware of. Causes of being underweight: intestinal parasites, malabsorption or maldisestion disorders, pancreatic insufficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, or an intestinal foreign body. You can try Nexgard or Bravecto for fleas and demodex. And a medicated shampoo to see if it will clear a yeast or bacterial skin infection. But I think that Jaes needs Veterinary care to properly help her. I hope this helps and good luck! http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27307

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!

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!