doxie hair loss

Question
DEAR DR.
I HAVE A 31/2 FEMALE MINI DOXIE.  SHE HAS THINING HAIR BEIND EARS, SLIGHTLY AROUND EYES,AN ALOT OF THINING HAIR ON CHEST AND TUMMY.  HAS BEEN CHECKED FOR THIROID AND IT IS O.K.  VET TOLD ME TO GET MELATONIN, A SLEEP (NATURAL) AID FOR HUMANS.  DON'T FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS.  HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME I HAVE ASKED EVERYWHERE ABOUT THIS AND NO ONE HAS A STRAIHT ANSWER...
THANKS FOR LISTENING
P.BROWN

Answer
Often times Doxies will have genetic or seasonal alopecia, and melatonin is the treatment that is recommended.  
Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland of the brain. It is involved in the regulation of several bodily physiologic processes, including the reproductive cycle, skin pigmentation, thermoregulation, photoreceptivity, and other processes including hair growth cycles.


Demodex skin mites and Cushing's Disease should be ruled out as well.  If she is not spayed, then she should be spayed in case it is related to hormones.  Otherwise you could try a diet change in case of food allergy...a fish-based diet is best such as those made by Verus, Wellness or Flint River Ranch.