hairloss

Question
QUESTION: My boxer is a male of 3 yrs.He was on predinsone for about 6 mnths.His butt would itch bad .He would drag in until it bleed.He is on Temaril-p now 1 tab. it works .He is believed to be allergic to grass and beef.I,m writing because he is losing his hair from his neck to butt and on the sides.He is on Malaseb shampoo,he was on Pyoben ,Nusal-t.He is active eats good water the same no ear infecs. vomit or diahrrea.Just hair loss.He is supposed to have a biospy in a week.He eats science diet ,sensitive skin for about 2 months now.Awhile back he had to be fixed because he swelled up to the size of a hard ball they said he ripped something in there.Please give me your opinion.Thanks and God bless

ANSWER: With Predisone (a steriod) and Termil-p, loosing hair could be a side effect.

But, since he is allergic to grass and probably other outdoor environmental things, I would imagine he has seasonal alopecia.  That's when they loose hair but it grows back.

Also, Boxers are prone to thyroid disorders, and it goes hand in hand with alopecia also and unfortunately, it usually goes hand in hand with those environmental allergies in Boxers.

Join Boxerworld.com and go into the forums. There are other Boxer owners that have the same problem. You will find help there among them.

Read:

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/dog-health-issues-questions/55112-losing-hair-a

(Boxerworld.com forum)

and

http://www.hilltopanimalhospital.com/seasonalalopecia.htm


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for being so quick to answer and thanks for doing it for all of the animal lovers of the world.My follow up is this ,i know i have to make up my own mind , but do you think i should go ahead and get the biospy done?I have exausted my account we live on a weekly check,but if Ty needs or should have this he will get it .I'm not a people person at all and Ty is i guess you could say my best friend .I know it sounds dumb but some get along better with animals.Thanks againidyro

Answer
Mitch,

I certainly understand the cost involved and living from paycheck to paycheck, but wanting the best for your beloved Boxer.

If the skin biopsy can be postponed, or substituted for a skin scraping, the scraping is less expensive and will rule out mites and parasites giving a better diagnosis for the vet that it is probably alopecia.

I would call the vet and talk to him or her about it possibly being alopecia and ask if biopsy is necessary if it is. Ask how they can confirm the diagnosis of alopecia first, then decide.

If it is expensive, ask if you can make payment arrangements with the vet and his office. This might be an option- you never know until you ask.