Hair loss on back?

jblackjr · #1 22nd April 2012, 08:16 AM

So the other day while brushing Brody down I noticed a large amount of hairs coming off his back. I brushed all the hairs off with my hand and noticed that his fur is very thin on his back about 3 inches from his tail. It's thin enough to clearly see his skin and feels more coarse than the rest of his coat. It's a bit concerning as the rest of him is nice and full and still very much puppy soft. Any suggestions or ideas on what might be the cause of this? I feed him wellness super 5 mix lamb formula.

jblackjr · #2 23rd April 2012, 03:21 AM

Anyone, please?

Gatorblu · #3 23rd April 2012, 08:37 AM

Is he acting itchy at all? My first boxer would lose hair at this time of year due to allergies. If you don't have the Zoom Groom, it is a rubber brush from Kong, get one and brush him outside. I would also rinse it after each use. You want to keep the allergens outside. When you bring Brody in wipe him down with a damp towel, include the paws. Keep the windows closed and the house vacuumed, swept and dusted. Wash all his bedding to make sure there are no allergens there. You may also want to take him to vet just to rule out mange.

jblackjr · #4 23rd April 2012, 02:17 PM

He doesn't itch at all. As for everything else I'm a bit of a clean freak about my floors and my house not smelling like dog so his blankets get washed pretty regular. He does seem to have a little dry skin when I brush him, and yes I do use the zoom groom.

I can't imagine where he could have got the mange from but that thought did cross my mind. If it gets any worse I will take him to the vet but he has a vet appointment in like 2 weeks for heartworm checkup.

I am going to start giving him fish oil again and see if maybe that helps a little bit. I really hope it's not the mange. It doesn't seem to be that severe though but I guess we will see soon enough. I hate that it looks so bad I really try to keep my buddy looking well groomed.

Sablegirl · #5 24th April 2012, 06:04 PM

Could just be the regular shedding cycle. Our girl, Sable, sometimes gets a spot as you are describing when she sheds. It's like she has shed all of the undercoat in that one spot. It lasts a very short time and when shedding is complete and new coat has come in it's back to normal. Hope that is that is going on with you pup.

jblackjr · #6 27th April 2012, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sablegirl

Could just be the regular shedding cycle. Our girl, Sable, sometimes gets a spot as you are describing when she sheds. It's like she has shed all of the undercoat in that one spot. It lasts a very short time and when shedding is complete and new coat has come in it's back to normal. Hope that is that is going on with you pup.

I think this may have been all it was. I didn't notice any skin irritation or redness. I have since put him on GNC skin and coat essentials plus from petsmart, he takes 3 a day in the morning with his meal and gobbles them right up. He coat is starting to thicken back up and his back is growing back in and is back to being very soft. I'm not sure if it's the shedding cycle or the vitamin but in any case I am going to keep him on it.