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Hair loss, medically known as alopecia, is a common dermatology complaint in dogs, in which, the dog loses hair more than usual or loses hair within an area of the skin. Hair loss in Shih Tzu may be complete: losing all the hair in that region, or partial. Sometimes you might think it’s rather unusual especially because the Shih Tzu are supposed to be a hypoallergenic breed
First, pet parents need to differentiate between seasonal hair loss or moults and pathologic hair loss, in dogs, moults occur twice a year, in spring and in autumn, in which dogs lose some of their old hair and grow new hair, this helps dogs adapt to the climate and stay in good shape. In contrast, pathologic hair loss or alopecia is intense, and can affect dogs at any age and it must be checked at the vet, because it has many causes that range from normal to serious.
What are the signs of hair loss in Shih Tzu?
Hair loss is detected first by pet parents, it generally comes as a decrease in the density of the skin in some areas of the skin, it may be in the dog’s face, around the neck, on the back or in the abdomen, hair loss may come in delimited zones, like circles, and it may come diffuse in the skin. In both cases, attentive pet owners notice it early and must take their dog the veterinarian.
What makes hair fall in Shih Tzu?
Causes for hair loss are various, they can be divided into external and internal factors,
External factors:
Parasites are the most common cause of hair loss, mange is a common cause of alopecia, this is an affection caused by Demodex species, Fleas are also responsible for a big disturbance in dogs, they are responsible for itch in the neck and in ears which may lead to alopecia in these regions.
Some Infections and inflammations of the skin and hair follicles lead to hair loss, as this may inhibit hair growth, bacterial infections are quite common complications of skin irritation due to parasite infestation.
Roundworms are a common fungal infection of the hair, this infection spreads across the skin and gives multiple bald areas,
Internal factors:
Internal factors that result in hair loss are the conditions that interfere with hair growth or inhibit it, these factors generally give symmetrical hair loss pattern, there are several affections that are responsible for hair loss, allergy resulting in permanent itch may result in hair loss in the these areas, another condition where high levels of cortisol are produced is the body, cause hair loss associated with obesity this is known as Cushing disease, Hypothroidia is another cause of hair loss, thyroid hormones that are necessary for hair to grow are not sufficiently produced, this result in hair loss.
Hair loss can be also noticed in bitch with hyperestrogenism, a condition in which high levels of estrogen are secreted, this has many effects on the organism like weakness, fever, infertility and results in hair loss.
Hair loss has many other causes, that’s why It is important to check your pet at your vet to figure out any underlying conditions and take the appropriate treatment.
How to control Hair loss in Shih Tzu?
Like all other skin problems, Hair loss is a serious condition that needs to be treated as early as possible before any complications, Your veterinarian will give you a treatment that will help treat the underlying cause, topical antibiotics, ointments and a special shampoo may be prescribed. It is important to follow the instructions and the advice of the vet about bath, ointments, special shampoos to use.
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How Much Is Normal Hair Loss? How Much Is Abnormal?
Dogs shed. It is a completely normal process, just like how us humans lose hair. Damaged or old hair is simply supposed to fall out! The amount of healthy shedding depends on the dog breed and it’s health. Some breeds will shed very very little and they are considered hypoallergenic. While other breeds, like huskies, will seem like they are constantly shedding.Is My Shih Tzu Shedding Or Experiencing Hair Loss?
Normal shedding in a Shih Tzu looks very minimal. A few hairs, not much left behind. If they are experiencing hair loss, you will see rapid loss of coat, and their hair is thin all over.What Would Cause A Shih Tzu To Shed More Than Usual?
Sometimes Shih Tzus will start losing more hair than normal. It’s not always a bad sign!- Bathing
- A good bath will cause most breeds to shed all that extra dead fur they had
- Pregnancy
- It is very common for a Shih Tzu to shed a lot of hairs after giving birth due to the rapid hormone change
- Growing up
- Shih Tzu puppies are born only with the inner layer of their coat. From the ages 4 months to 9-12 months is when the most shedding happens, as the puppy coat sheds and is replaced by its adult coat.
- Health Problems
- Lastly, it could be health problems such as alopecia, an allergic reaction, fleas, mange, or stress
Do Adults And Old Shih Tzu Lose More Hair Than Puppies?
In fact, Shih Tzu puppies shed more hair than adults! This is because they are born with only the inner layer of their coat. As they get older (from 4-12 months), this baby coat will begin to shed and is replaced with its full adult coat. During this time there are a lot of hairs everywhere.At What Age Does A Shih Tzu Stop Losing Hair?
Shih Tzus don’t technically ever stop losing hair. Shedding will happen it’s whole life. But the majority of the shedding will stop at around 9-12 months.When Does A Dog’s Hair Stop Growing?
In most breeds, the puppy coat will gradually shed and be replaced by the adult coat starting at around 3 months. It continues to do throughout puppy hood and can last over a year.What Can Cause Hair Loss In Puppies?
The most common reasons puppies experience hair loss are:- Fleas
- Mange
- Mites
- Allergies
- Growing up/seasonal shedding
- Genetics
- Ringworm
- Yeast Infections
How To Treat Hair Loss In Puppies?
To treat hair loss in puppies, you first need to figure out what is causing the issue. If it is something like a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be the cure. Medicated shampoos and steroids will help cure ticks, mange, etc. If you find that it is an allergy, you will have to find out what is causing the allergic reaction, commonly it is a food allergy. Antifungals will treat ringworm and yeast infections.Why is my Old Shih Tzu losing hair?
If an old Shih a tzu suddenly stops losing hair, it most likely is an allergy or a parasite of some sort.What Causes A Dog To Lose Hair On His Back?
The back is the most common area where you will begin to notice any hair loss. Fleas, other parasites, allergies, alopecia, or mites could be a reason.Shih Tzu Hair Loss Around Eyes/Eyelid
If you are noticing a Shih Tzu losing hair around its eyes, it may be just because of some seasonal shedding and may not be an issue. However, it can also mean a number of other things.- Glaucoma or other eye infections
- Parasites
- Skin allergies
- Fleas
Why Is My Shih Tzu Losing Tail Hair?
The loss of tail hair is most commonly due to allergies, whether it be environmental or a food allergy.Is It Normal For Dogs To Lose Hair On Their Stomach?
The loss of hair on a dogs stomach isn’t usually a normal occurrence. When the hair on a dogs stomach starts falling out, that is one of the first signs that something is wrong.Hair Loss Around Chest And Neck?
If you notice your dog losing more hair around it’s chest and neck area, it is a very good indicator that there is a mite, lice or flea issue. Specifically, hair loss around the neck is a good sign of fleas.Why Is My Shih Tzu Missing A Patch Of Fur/Hair?
Sometimes, you’ll see just one of a few patches of hair missing from your shih tzu. This is commonly because of parasites, like ticks, fleas, lice and other mites. The area that the parasites are in will cause your dog to be itchy in that one spot, and they will bite or chew that area, causing a patch of hair to fall out.Why Is My Shih Tzu’s Hair Falling Out & Thinning?
Hair loss is common, but if you notice your dogs hair thinning dramatically it’s a good sign they are allergic to something.Shih Tzu Itching And Losing Hair?
If you see your Shih Tzu itching and losing hair, they probably have some sort of parasite like fleas, or ticks.My Shih Tzu’s Hair Coming Out In Clumps?
If you notice your Shih Tzus hair falling out in clumps, it is a good sign that your dog has a parasite. Fleas, ticks or mange cause hair to come out in clumps.My Shih Tzu Has No More Hair 🙁 What To Do?
Try to figure out the issue before letting all your dogs hair fall out. If it’s gone on for too long, and your dog has no more fur, it’s time to take them to the vet. Your vet will be able to accurately diagnose the issue and prescribe medicine if needed.Can Vitamin Deficiency Cause Hair Loss In Dogs?
Sometimes dog hair loss can be caused by a vitamin deficiency! A zinc deficiency will cause hair loss, skin ulcers and cracking of the paws.Do Shih Tzu Mixed Breeds Lose Hair[Why Is My Maltese Losing Hair]?
Shih Tzu breeds are actually considered low on the shedding list of dog breeds. They still will, although it won’t be very much. The breed maltese is the same in this regard, as they do not lose much hair at all. Maltese are prone to hypothyroidism, so if you see your maltese losing a significant amount of hair, make sure to find out why quickly.What Are The Most Common Causes Of Hair Loss In Dogs
When it comes to hair loss, there can be a large range of things going on with your dog. Here is everything to consider when trying to figure out the cause. All things below have symptoms of extreme hair loss and shedding.- Hyperpigmentation (Acanthosis Nigricans)
- Medical term used to describe darker patches of skin. Caused by the excess of melanin (anything from sun damage to hormone changes)
- Canine Allergic Dermatitis
- A skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to things like fleas, food, environment, yeast
- Hair Loss (Alopecia)
- A medical disease that affects humans and dogs. It is the partial or complete loss of hair in an area where normally belongs
- Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)
- A deadly disease, it is a condition where the adrenal glands overproduce certain hormones.
- Canine Dermatomyositis
- Dermatomyositis is an inherited disease. It inflames the skin, muscles, and blood tissues. It can be deadly if left untreated. Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs and mixes of these dogs are most commonly affected by this disease.
- Fleas Infection
- Fleas are a very small jumpy bug. They live by consuming the blood of their hosts, mammals and birds. Symptoms including excessive itching, or biting, hair loss, red swollen sores.
- Bedsores
- Happens from sitting or laying in one position for too long. Normally, smaller dogs will experience bedsores because of the way they sit. You’ll notice swelling around the boniest parts of the dog, the area is tender, red, hot to the touch.
- Canine Hypothyroidism
- Hypothyroidism is an immune disease causing the thyroid to slow down. This is a disruption of hormone production, specifically T3 and T4 hormones which directly affect hair growth.
- Mange In Dogs
- Mange is a skin disease. It is caused by parasites that burrow into the skin. It is a common disease in dogs that are strays. Dogs will scratch so much, and the damage caused by the mites will result in extreme hair loss. It will look like chunks of hair are missing from the dog. In extreme cases, they may lose all of their hair/furs. Mange can be very painful and can cause death if left untreated.
- Stress
- When a dog is stressed or anxious, sometimes it will bite and chew its skin, causing the fur to fall out.
- Parasites
- Parasites, such as fleas, ticks, mange mites, ear mites, and roundworms will all cause dogs to chew/bite their fur because it is itchy. This will eventually lead to the fur falling out.
- Bacteria
- Bacterial or fungal infections cause the skin of a dog to become very itchy, red, swollen.
- Fungus
- Fungal infections, like yeast, or ringworm are very itchy and cause the fur to fall out.
- Hormones
- Hormone problems, like hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease, commonly cause dogs’ fur to fall out.
What Is Alopecia & What Does It Look Like At First?
Alopecia is a hair disease that can affect both dogs and humans. It is the partial or complete loss of hair in areas where hair is supposed to be. In the beginning, alopecia won’t look too extreme. It could be chunks of hair falling out here and there. Very light hair loss. As time goes by, more and more hair will continue to fall out.Will My Shih Tzu’s Hair Grow Back?
Depending on what caused a Shih Tzus hair to fall out, yes it will grow back. For things like parasites and allergies, once treated the hair will grow back. It will also grow back after grooming and being shaved. In some cases, like alopecia, it may not always grow back the way it once was.How To Groom A Shih Tzu That Is Experiencing Hair Loss?
When grooming a Shih Tzu that is experiencing hair loss, it’s important to remember to be gentle and use gentle products. Most likely, you will want to avoid any hair cuts or shaves. Incorporate an oatmeal bath and coconut oil into the groom to help with any irritated skin.What Can My Vet Do To Stop Hair Loss?
A vet will look at the hair loss on a dog and diagnose the situation based on the symptoms. Vets can prescribe the proper antibiotics, antifungals, steroids, or medicated shampoos, whatever is needed to solve the issue.What To Do When Your Shih Tzu’s Hair Is Falling Out?
Are you noticing your Shih Tzus hair falling out? Don’t panic, it may not be something to worry about! Check to see if there are any flea bites or hotspots. Feel around for any ticks. Go through the list of reasons why dogs’ hair may be falling out and match symptoms. If you can’t fix the issue at home, take your dog to the vet.Can I Give My Shih Tzu Melatonin To Treat Hair Loss [Is It Safe]?
Melatonin is commonly prescribed to dogs that experience alopecia. Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland and is stimulated at night. Taking melatonin helps the body reset and fall back into rhythm. Alopecia is thought to be a disruption of hormones, so melatonin can be of great help and is extremely safe for dogs. 3mg twice a day is the recommended amount.What Is The Best Natural Treatment For Hair Loss In Dogs?
There are plenty of natural treatments to look at when needing to treat your dog for hair loss.- Coconut Oil
- Coconut oil can help with skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and can help treat small skin cuts and wounds.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Apple cider vinegar has many antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Remember never to put apple cider vinegar directly on your dog’s skin as it has high acidity and can cause more damage. Mix 50/50 with water and spray on the affected area.
- Vitamin E Oil
- Vitamin E is an antioxidant and is great for growing hair back. It is also great for your dogs immune system, liver health, and coat health!
- Lemon Juice
- Lemon juice has antibacterial properties because of the amount of citric acid it has. If there is a bacterial infection causing your dog hair loss, lemon juice is a great remedy.
