I have one dog, well right now 5 because my dog just had 4 puppies. We just moved into a house with roommates and one of the roommates has a dog that has some skin condition (don't know what it is), and the dog stinks really bad. I didn't notice the dog had much hair loss because it is a big dog and I never really got too close to it.
Anyhow, my dog is starting to lose her hair all around the sides of her body and on her shoulders. I am really discouraged about it because I don't think it's normal. The lady who had the stinky dogs have since moved out. Please help. Do you think my dog may have a bad disease?
Kim from Albuquerque
I believe your dog has mange. It is a treatable skin disease but you must see a vet to cure it. Certain types of mange can also be passed onto the puppies from the mother. Definitely speak to a vet. (09/24/2008)
By Maureen
It's possible that your dog has food allergies. My dog loses hair if I feed her certain dog foods. I was making all her dog food last winter, but I quit doing that for the summer. Right now, I'm giving her an all natural dog food and she's doing very well, but the food is expensive. I'll probably go back to making my own dog food when the weather cools off again. (09/24/2008)
I agree w/SEPT2174. You need to take your dog and pups to the vet pronto. Mange is serious and highly contagious. It will not get better without treatment. Even with treatment, it will be difficult to "cure" and will likely take more than one series of treatment. (09/24/2008)
By Krikit
Our little dog was losing his hair, and itching a lot. The vet told us it was an allergy, gave him a shot and antibiotics, also some "itch" pills that we give him every other day. His hair is growing back, he doesn't scratch like he did, and he is so much happier, and so are we. (09/24/2008)
Do you feed your dog "people food"? If so, the salt in human food can cause this. (09/25/2008)
By Doris Hill
Dermatitis mange or allergy. My niece's dog had hair loss and the vet told her that it was due to allergies. He recommended the same allergy antihistamine that can be bought in the dollar stores for people once a day. If it is allergies, be sure to get the pills without the heavy red dye. In people, the heavy red dye gives what feels like a urinary tract infection to some people. But when tested usually no urinary tract infection shows. So why risk the discomfort for your dog?
My daughter has a beautiful dog with dermatitis mange. In an instance like this there are different things that can be done. For one, a good bath using a flea tick and lice shampoo on the chance microscopic bugs are to blame, another is changing the food to lamb and rice. Some vet's say dog's have an allergic reaction to the beef in food. Also my daughter gives her dog omega three capsules. The same kind that people take. It puts oil in his skin and makes for a beautiful coat.
What was really interesting is when one of my daughter's dogs got into the pine pitch, she used baby oil to get it out before bathing. She had to bathe him twice, but he smelled good for several days afterward. And his hair was beautiful!
P.S. If the dog has chewed and scratched himself raw in places, a vet may order an antibiotic to help heal it. Good luck with your dog. (09/26/2008)
By Linda
Take the dog to the vet right away. My precious one was losing hair on his sides and his shoulders and it turned out that he has Cushing's Disease. With treatment, his hair is starting to grow back a little. Good luck! (09/26/2008)
By Susan
My sister's dog had the same symptoms - loss of hair and bad smell. She took him to the vet and it had hypothyroidism. After being treated with thyroid meds, the smell went away and the hair came back. You need to take your dog to the vet and so does the owner of the smelly dog. (09/26/2008)
By petsitter
My 2 female dogs have dry flaky skin on their back and they've been chewing their hair off. I went to the vet and they said to give them an oatmeal bath. I have been but they are still chewing the hair off, and the skin is still dry and flaky. Now they're making sores on themselves. What do I do, or what can I do? (01/31/2009)
By natasha
I have a dog that has lost his hair and we have taken him to the vet numerous times. He has been on steroids, antibiotics, daily allergy pills, and we still have the issue. Vet says it isn't mange, his blood work is fine. Now they want me to take him to a dermatologist and we don't have the money. I'm searching for something that works. He has short hair, is a rescue and approx. 5 years old. Up to date on shots, prefers to be outside but I try to get him to come inside and sleep on his bed at night. (02/03/2009)
By ltmccollum
My dog Stump had the losing hair problem when I first adopted him. Some of his shedding is normal, but the hot spots and skin chewing wasn't. I researched the problem extensively and ended up feeding raw chicken bones and all daily. He weighs 60 lbs. so I feed him approx 1.2 lbs of raw chicken daily and his health has improved and his coat is beautiful. He's a completely changed dog. I believe the commercial dog foods are a Vet's godsend. (03/01/2009)
By Barry
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