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Five Hereditary Causes of Dog Hair Loss

25 16:16:00

Hair loss not only affects humans but it also affects animals. Everyone wants to have a dog that has a full coat of fur but unfortunately, there are a number of reasons that contribute to a dog losing its fur. Some of these reasons include: allergic reaction, genetic conditions, parasites, etc. however, the main focus of this article will be to discuss one factor that contributes to hair loss in dogs and that is the hereditary causes of dog hair loss. The following are some of the genetic conditions that can predispose a dog to losing its fur.

 
  1. Seborrhea is one of the genetic conditions that can pre dispose a dog to losing its fur. This is a condition whereby the outer skin layers, the sebaceous glands and hair follicles become hyper productive. Common signs that your dog might be suffering from this condition is scratching, a bad smell, and oily skin. The most commonly affected types of breeds are the Springer Spaniel, West Highland terrier and the cocker spaniel.
  2. Mutant alopecia is whereby the dog starts to lose fawn coloured or blue hair at around six months after birth. It is a hereditary condition that mostly affects Doberman, Greyhound, and the Great Dane.
  3. Pituitary dwarfism occurs when your dog does not develop at the rate that it is supposed to after birth. This makes the dog not to lose its puppy coat and can consequently lead to hair loss. The main cause of this condition is when the pituitary gland fails to function well or your dog could have a lack of certain hormones.
  4. Black hair follicular alopecia is whereby your puppy starts to lose hair when it is about six weeks old. This is a condition that affects dogs which have coats that are multi colored such as Beagle, Basset hounds, and Collies.
  5. Severe hair loss syndrome is also another hereditary cause of hair loss in dogs. Very little has been identified about the causes of this genetic condition. However, it tends to affect the male dogs more than it does the females. Certain breeds such as miniature poodles, Pomeranians, Keeshonds, Chow Chows, Boxers and Airedales are at a higher risk of developing this disorder. Symptoms of this disorder include symmetrical hair loss and hyper-pigmentation. The treatment options for this disorder are minimal because the main causes behind the disorder are unknown. However, the condition is believed to be due to an imbalance of hormones.

It is recommended that you first of all investigate whether the real cause of your dog losing its hair is actually due to hereditary conditions. This is because there are other underlying factors that can be as a result of this condition. This is why it is recommended that you visit the vet first in order to get a professional opinion.

Once it has been determined that the cause for hair loss in your dog is due to genetic factors, your vet will advice you on how to care for the pet. Some of the genetic conditions do not affect the dog's health in anyway.

The above has hopefully given you some useful information on how you might tackle hair loss in your dog. However if in any doubt it is suggested you consult with your vet for professional advice, diagnosis and treatment options.