Causes of Excessive Shedding in Dogs

Most dogs shed hair. It is a normal seasonal happening for most breeds. If there is too much shedding or if shedding happens at a time of year when it is not supposed to, it is time to get to the vet. Excessive shedding in dogs can be a sign of many different conditions, some of them easy to treat and some of them life threatening. The causes of excessive shedding in dogs all have a negative impact on the dog's happiness and only the vet will know how to correct the problem.

  1. Hypothyroidism

    • Hypothyroidism is caused by a thyroid gland that does not produce enough hormones. Most dogs that suffer from hypothyroidism will lose some hair. It can be easily treated with synthetic thyroid medication such as Soloxine.

    Skin Diseases

    • Dogs are susceptible to many skin diseases. They can be caused by bacteria called Staphylococci, ringworm which is a fungal infection, allergies to everything from flea saliva to dust and mold, parasites such as ear mites, lice and ticks and hormonal imbalances.

    Pyoderma

    • Pyoderma is a bacterial infection of the skin and it could be indicative of another health condition. The bacteria that is involved in most cases is Staphylococcus or E Coli. They enter the skin that has been compromised by conditions such as parasites, allergies, hormonal disorders, an inadequate immune system and trauma from grooming, virtually anything that causes skin sores that can allow the bacteria to enter. Pyoderma will appear as a rash, not open sores. In the most severe cases, the dog will be hospitalized for intravenous treatments. In most cases, treatment involves antibiotics, special shampoos and/or a change in diet.

    Cushing's Disease

    • Cushing's Disease is also known as hyperadrenocorticism, which is when the adrenal gland produces too much of a hormone known as corticosteroids. Cushing's can be caused by a tumor of one of two glands: the adrenal or the pituitary. The vet will need to perform several tests in order to get a definite diagnosis of Cushing's Disease. Adrenal tumors are removed surgically. Pituitary tumors need to be treated with medications such as Lysodren.

    Autoimmune Diseases

    • Autoimmune diseases of the skin include pemphigus complex, pemphigus vegetans, pemphigus foliaceous, pemphigus erythematosis and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome. These are extremely rare, but can be serious. If the vet cannot pin down the cause to one of the more common conditions, he may recommend seeing a specialist. Other autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia and systemic lupus erythematosis can also cause hair loss. Autoimmune diseases are some of the most serious conditions that affect dogs.