What Skin Conditions Cause Hair Loss in Puppies?

Acanthosis nigricans can be inherited in Dachshunds but can also be caused in any puppy by friction, hormonal imbalance or allergies. A vet may perform tests to find out the exact cause. There is no treatment for the inherited type, but for other puppies, the vet may prescribe vitamin E and/or steroids.Black hair follicular dysplasia/alopecia/dystrophy only strikes puppies from breeds that have multiple colored coats, like the Bearded Collie. Only the dark hair will fall out. Congenital hypotrichosis is very apparent because the puppy will be born with very little or no hair. By the time he is 4 months old, all the hair will be gone. Unfortunately, there is no cure.

Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles that is caused by a staph infection. The only cure is a 4-week course of antibiotics. Kerion is hair loss caused by ringworms. It can be treated with special shampoos--or in extreme cases, with steroids.

Atopy is an allergic reaction to pollen, dust mites or mold. It addition to losing hair, the puppy's ears will be red and inflamed and he will scratch and lick his paws. Demodectic mange (red mange, puppy mange) is caused by an insect known as the Demodex mite. Under normal conditions, it does not cause any problems. But if the puppy has an impaired immune system, it will cause hair loss, scaliness, redness, pustules, ulcers, itching and darkening of the skin. The vet will prescribe a special dip for this.

The first thing to do when you notice hair loss in a puppy is to restrict his access to plants. Keep him confined to the house if necessary. If you are using pesticides in the garden, fence it off. Give the puppy a good shampoo, but if you do not see any immediate improvement, take the puppy to the vet. Getting the puppy medicated as soon as possible will spare him, and you, a lot of misery.

Before you buy a puppy, study the breed to see what genetic conditions it is susceptible to. Reputable breeders will not breed animals that are known to have any genetic conditions, but that is no guarantee that nothing will go wrong. Take the puppy to the vet within 24 hours and have vaccinations and worming started. It could head off problems before they start. A puppy may be able to walk and run, but it is still a baby and needs to be watched like one. Know where she goes, and if something does show up, look at the immediate environment for any clues.