bulldog skin problem, hair loss

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Expert: Patti – 11/16/2009

Question
Hello. My two year old English Bulldog has a bald area on each of his sides. Our Vet does not know what it is. He thought it was thyroid related but it isn’t. The two areas are directly across from each other. They do not itch or seem to bother him in any way.I would appreciate your help Answer

Hi Connie,

If your dog’s bald areas aren’t accompanied with signs of itching, broken crusty skin, inflammation, raised lesions, redness or small pimples of any kind,  it’s possible it’s a hereditary hair loss condition known as Cyclic Alopecia, also known as Seasonal Flank Alopecia. It’s possible that this is just a seasonal problem, and the hair will grow back. Seasonal Flank Alopecia is one of the conditions adult Bulldogs are prone to, so it’s entirely possible this is what your dog has. This form of Alopecia is a benign condition that’s more cosmetic than anything else. You might have to adopt the attitude that “Bald is Beautiful”.

There’s also hormone responsive alopecia, also known as “Alopecia X”. Your dog would need hormonal blood testing to rule this out. With this kind of hair loss, the exposed skin can take on a black or dark color, but it doesn’t itch. If the loss of hair is caused by a sex hormone imbalance, then sterilizing the dog is the form of treatment. Hair growth will typically return after this. If not, medication can be given.

You shouldn’t take my word as gospel on any of this, I’m not a doctor.
When your regular vet encounters a problem he or she isn’t familiar with, it’s good to consult with a specialist who encounters difficult or rare cases more often. If your vet can’t give you a referral to a veterinary dermatologist, you can locate one here: https://www.acvd.org/

Best of luck,
Patti

Dogs: skin problem?, hair loss

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Expert: Patti – 8/29/2010

Question
i noticed on my 11mnth old boxer 2 small bald patches on his skull they visualy look like scar marks but he hasnt been in contact with any other animals i flea treated him but they dnt irritate him and is it also normal for him too cast as much hair at this time of year Answer

Hi David,

No, it’s not normal for a dog to shed so much hair that it has bald patches.

The only way to know what’s going on is to have your dog examined by your vet. A skin scrape test (a simple test done at the vet’s office) would need to be done to rule out parasites. Keep in mind, some forms of skin mites are microscopic, so you wouldn’t see them. There are metabolic conditions such as Hypothyroidism that can cause hair loss, so blood work may be needed. Hypothyroidism is common in the Boxer Breed.

If you are having trouble afford veterinary care, first talk to your regular vet. Ask your veterinarian if he or she will let you work out a payment plan. Many veterinarians are willing to work out a weekly or monthly payment plan so that you do not have to pay the entire cost of veterinary care up front. If you don’t have a regular vet, try call all the vets in your community, some might be cheaper than others. Ask friends and family to lend you the money necessary for the office visit, you may be able to get an advance on your salary if you explain the situation to your employer.

Another option is to contact your local shelter or Humane Society. Some shelters operate or know of local subsidized veterinary clinics or veterinary assistance programs. If you happen to live within driving distance to veterinary school, check with them to see if they offer discount services to the public. There are two special credit cards to apply for which help with medical bills (including veterinary bills) read about them here:

http://www.carecredit.com
http://www.healthcard.citicards.com

Best of luck,

Patti