Hair loss

Question
My Akita has lost hair on his belly and inside of legs and feet. The skin looks like gray leather and is puffy around his front elbows. I'm trying Mal-a-Ket is there something better?

Answer
Hi Christopher,

From what it sounds like, your dog may be suffering from a skin condition called "Black Skin Disease", or may be suffering from "Mange Mite".

There are two types of Mange Mite.
Cheyletiella is the least serious form. You'll notice it when the dog starts to itch and develop dandruff around the ears, head and shoulders. Bathing your dog in a medicated shampoo is all that is needed to rid of the mites.

Sarcoptic mange is more serious than Cheyletiella, although it is also very treatable. Sarcoptic mange starts with a bad case of itching and hair loss. Due to the dog itching, it may cause damage to the skin which will result in infection. Furious itching, hair loss and crusty skin are the most notable signs.
Be warned that humans can catch this type of mite.

I am not familiar with Mal-A-Ket, but my 'googling' has said that it is for fungal infections. If it is a fungal infection and you see promising results within a week or so, then keep using it. I've read some great reviews on the product.
However, mites cannot be treated with anti-fungal treatments. Proper medication for mites will be prescribed by your vet, therefore I strongly suggest taking your Akita to the vet for proper diagnosis.

As for "Black Skin Disease", this is quite a tough one to answer. It is not actually a disease, but rather a condition. There is no definite answer as to why dogs contract the condition, and so there is no definite treatment for the condition either. Some say it is in the genes, some say it is a hormonal imbalance and so on.
Saying that, there are people who have claimed to have successfully overcome the condition. You would do well to find a veterinarian who has dealt with BSD. It takes a vet that is specialised in that particular area to diagnose the condition.


Although I have answered based on my own experiences and research, please know that I am not a veterinarian, and so my answer is not that of a professional in animal health.

However, I do hope I may have shed some light on the situation.
I hope you find an answer to the problem and best of luck to you and your Akita.

Kindest regards