My Dog Is Losing Hair & Is Too Weak to Move Around

Every dog owner wants his dog to live a long, healthy life. However, this requires a great deal of care, knowledge and vigilance. Dogs can suffer from a variety of health problems throughout their lives, including a combination of hair loss and weakness. While the most logical solution is to see a veterinarian, understanding the causes of dog hair loss and weakness can help eliminate the problem before it begins.

  1. Cushing's Disease

    • Cushing's disease is an ailment that causes hair loss and noticeable weakness in all dog breeds. Lack of bladder control is also a sign. This disease occurs when the adrenal and pituitary glands do not produce enough cortisol. Unfortunately, this disease does not always manifest itself immediately. In some cases, it can take years before symptoms show. Cushing's disease is rare, but possible, in dogs under the age of six years.

    Vitamin B Deficiency

    • As with any other animal, dogs require balanced nutrition for optimal health. One key nutrient is biotin, a form of vitamin B. Biotin promotes growth and fur maintenance. This nutrient works in a critical chain of other B vitamins, such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid and cobalamin. A significant deficiency of any B vitamins can cause hair loss, weakness or both.

    Food Poisoning

    • Dogs and humans differ in terms of what they can digest. Foods commonly consumed by humans can be devastating to their canine counterparts. Raw egg whites are dangerous because they contain avidin. This is a protein that deprives dogs of biotin, which in turn causes hair loss and weakness. Additionally, egg whites can cause stunted growth and skeletal problems, such as deformity.

    Prevention

    • Naturally, the best way to avoid a dog experiencing hair loss and severe weakness is to prevent it. While Cushing's disease is not easy to detect, immediate medical attention can save your dog's life. To ensure that your dog receives enough B vitamins to prevent hair loss and weakness, feed her foods that contain fruits, vegetables and organ-based meats, such as liver. Finally, common sense dictates that, if certain foods are toxic to dogs, you should keep them away from your pets.