Dousing the Balding Problem with Dog Shampoo for Hair Loss

Hair loss in dogs is a widespread problem that veterinarians and dog owners hate to deal with. It is characterized by the thinning of hair or by the visible presence of bald patches called alopecia, similar to what humans experience during their old age. When such occurrence happens to your dog, it is best to consult a veterinarian who is most likely to prescribe the use of a dog shampoo for hair loss.

Causes of Hair Loss in Dogs
There are several attributing factors why dogs lose their hair in some parts of their body. While it can be caused by a natural cycle involving three phases of hair growth, the reasons can also be due to some diseases afflicting the canine.

The first phase of the natural cycle is called anagen, the phase of active hair growth. It is followed by the catagen phase that signals the start of the next phase called telogen or the resting phase. Another anagen phase occurs where new hair grows until they shed off when the final telogen phase sets in. Veterinarians oftentimes prescribe dog shampoo for hair loss to promote hair growth during these natural phases.

A dog may prematurely experience hair loss due to the following hormonal diseases:

Hyperadrenocotism – Also referred as Cushing's disease, it is a condition prevalent among dogs caused by chronic overproduction of glucocorticoid in the body. The pituitary gland of normal dogs secretes hormones to stimulate the adrenal gland to produce the glucocorticoid hormones to help the functioning of the body systems. When too much glucocorticoid is produced, Cushing's disease develops. The disease is also termed as Cortisone Excess, called as such to refer to the excessive steroids in a dog's body

Hypoadrenocorticism – This disease is also known as the Addison's disease resulting from the reduction in the secretion of corticosteroid from the adrenal gland. While it may not be common as the Cushing's disease, it can still affect the dog population and is comparatively easier to treat.

Hypothyroidism – A common disease among dogs, it is a condition that occurs when insufficient thyroid hormones are produced. A dog is suspected to have the disease if it is suffering from hair loss particularly at the neck to the chin, body sides, backs of thighs and tail part.

Hyperestrogenism – It is a common affliction among male and female dogs occurring when there is over supply of estrogen and is usually accompanied by excessive hair loss in the genital areas. Apart from sterilizing the dog, the best treatment is to use medicated dog shampoo for hair loss.

Hypoestrogenism – A condition common for castrated female dogs caused by the lack of estrogen. It is characterized by the scarce presence of hair and the thinning layer over the vulva. When all the hair sheds off, the skin becomes smooth and soft.

Treatment for Hair Loss in Dogs
It is best to consult a certified veterinarian when hair loss occurs in the dog, as this can indicate that the canine is suffering from a certain disease. After subjecting the animal in a series of tests, treatment can be done depending on the diagnosis. If the dog is merely undergoing the normal hair cycle, there is no need for any treatment except to wait for the hair to grow back. The animal expert may advise some vitamins and nutrients to promote faster hair growth. For hormonal diseases and other causes of hair loss such as parasite and fungal infections, growth hormones can be given to stimulate the hair to grow back.

While veterinarians can be more scientific in treating hair loss in dogs, pet owners tend to rely on using dog shampoo for hair loss to save their canine companions from being hairless. Aside from the fact that it is the most available and inexpensive way to remedy the problem, it is also the easiest method to solve the balding issue.