loss of hair

Question
We have a chocolate brown female Labrador.
over the last few weeks she has been shedding her hair heavily. we find this to much more than in the past. The skin is dry below the hair,below her belly it is red in patches. we have changed her shampoo.
At times since she feels the irritation she bits at the place of irritation.
I am also having difficulty is clipping her nails as she does not permit me to do so.
Please advise to find a permanent solution.

Answer

Hi Julius,


There are several causes for hairloss and red patches of skin that you've described, ranging from microscopic skin mites, allergies, to hormonal imbalances. Treatments will vary depending on what the cause of the hairloss is, for this reason your dog needs to be examined by a veterinarian.

Shampooing your dog often isn't a good thing, it dries out the dog's skin, which can lead to itching and chewing at the skin, which can lead to secondary bacterial or yeast infections of the skin. If your dog isn't kept in dirty conditions, or has rolled in something foul, it doesn't need a bath. Most dogs don't need to be shampooed more than two or 3 times a year.  To keep your dog clean between baths, brush vigorously and regularly, preferably daily. This is good for the coat and skin, and helps the dog look and smell good.

Best of luck,

Patti