Significant hair loss???

[Arrius]

Greetings All,

First my apologies as I am new here and realize that this subject has likely been covered many times. About 5 years ago our Yorkie "Winston" Started getting a bald spot on his back just to the front of his tail, Vet gave him allergy meds. As time progressed, he lost even more hair on his back, Vet said Alopecia and their was not much that could be done for it. Eventually his enitire back became bald along with his tail and both sides, back to Vet numerous times again they said Alopecia. The exposed skin darkended to a black color with a red glow when in the light, Vet said some dogs skin is normally black and that this is normal. Finally he lost the black hair on his ears and has now lost the hair on the bridge of his nose and hair on head and around neck has become very thin. In all of this we did finally find out last year that his thyroid was low, no on meds, still loosing hair though. I had though maybe yeast was the culprit as little black spots would appear on him, out of nowhere, almost like flea dirt but no fleas. I asked the Vet about these spots recently and to my surprise she said such spots are not a sign of yeast but are a sign of trauma, whatever she means by that. Either way we have his thyroid back in range but at present he has lost his hair on, entire back, sides of both back legs in thigh area, bridge of now and down the upper rear of his back legs. The hair on his head and neck is thinning significantly. We also noticed him licking his front legs and on a close look there were areas of what looked like black dirt patches almost like a scab but not a scab, these also appeared out of nowhere, overnight but no fleas? Two Vets and both do not see these things as a problem but they have concerned us greatly. Our little guy is 16 years old, weighs 6.3 lbs., eats well, sleeps well and gets around very well buts is almost bald less a few areas like his paws and lower legs which still have full hair. Thanks for reading and any thoughts are sincerely appreciated.

[Wylie's Mom]

Hi and first of all, WELCOME ! So sorry you and your little senior fella, Winston, are going through all of this! Wish you'd found us sooner.

I'd have recommended 5 yrs ago when the 1st vet couldn't solve the issue immediately that you'd see a Vet Dermatologist asap -- bc I've been thru something similar. Generalist Vets cannot always see what a specialist can see right away.

So, I'd see a Derm and/or an Internist. Depending upon other symptoms, I'd want to rule out Cushings.

Find a Vet Derm here: acvd.org | Find Dermatologist | Veterinarians with specialized training in skin, ears, and allergy

More info on allergies: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/die...tart-here.html

Cushings Symtpoms:

Some dogs with Cushing’s disease show the classic symptoms, while other show only a few vague symptoms. The classic symptoms are:

--Polyuria/polydipsia (PU/PD)- This is excess urinating and excess drinking of water. It is one of the first signs of the disease, and usually precedes the other symptoms by a significant period of time. Several other important diseases cause these symptoms also, notably liver disease, kidney disease pyometra, and diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes).

--Pot bellied abdomen to the point a dog might look pregnant. It is due to hepatomegaly and abdominal muscle weakness (the mechanism of which was described above in the physiology section).

--Thin skin and usually symmetrical hair loss along the trunk. The hair might grow in lighter in color or lose its luster. It might not grow in well at all. Calcium deposits under the skin, called calcinosis cutis, occur on occasion. Secondary skin infections called pyoderma are common also. The skin might also be hyperpigmented.

--Muscle wasting over the head, shoulders, thighs, and pelvis.

--Polyphagia- excess appetite. This is often interpreted by clients as being healthy, since most people think of a sick pet as not eating well. In this case your pet is over-eating, which is consistent with Cushing’s.

Other occasional symptoms include:

-Pruritis (itchy skin)- due to secondary bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections of the skin
-Panting- due to affects on the lungs or the respiratory center in the brain
-Obesity
-Anorexia (poor appetite)
-Straining to urinate or blood in urine due to urinary tract infection or bladder stone
-Weakness
-Depression
-Aggression
-Lethargy
-Corneal plaques
-Irregular heat cycles in female dogs
-Testicular atrophy in males and clitoral enlargement in females
-Emesis (vomiting) due to pancreatitis
-Ataxia (incoordination), blindness, circling, and seizures due to a large pituitary tumor or spread of a malignant adrenal tumor
-Lameness due to a ruptured cruciate ligament
-Intra-abdominal bleeding near the kidneys (retroperitoneal space) resulting in anemia, weakness, and abdominal pain

[Arrius]

Thanks so very much for your reply, Wylie's Mom. I agree and had actually questioned the Vet about Cushing's, a few years back. The Vet said that Wiston could possibly have Cushings but then he told us that the Meds used to treat Cushing's are sometimes harder on the pet than the disease itself. Hearing the latter concerned us given Winston at that time was already 12 years old. We were afraid that we might do more damage so we did not proceed with testing for Cushing's given it might require harmful meds, at least according to the Vet. Have you heard if this is true about Cushing's Meds?
The Thyroid meds have actually helped the little guy tremendously in the areas of strength and stability, just not hair growth. He does have some of the Cushing's symptoms though, hair loss, darkened skin. His water consumption is normal though as is his eating. He will not overeat and when he is full, he'll walk away from his food dish leaving what left to his brother and guardian, our 60 lb Vizsla MoMo.

[Wylie's Mom]

You're welcome - glad it was helpful .

My Wylie was on Cushings meds from about age 4.5 to when he passed as a senior. It's true that most Cushings meds are quite toxic - but they're given in low doses in order to manage the effects of the excessive cortisol that's in the body due to the Cushings. At age 16, I'd be thinking of that tender age and weighing everything else together. My Wylie never had a single side effect from his meds, and many dogs do very well on them actually. And btw, most generalist vets have very little experience with Cushings...trust me....

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by Arrius

Thanks so very much for your reply, Wylie's Mom. I agree and had actually questioned the Vet about Cushing's, a few years back. The Vet said that Wiston could possibly have Cushings but then he told us that the Meds used to treat Cushing's are sometimes harder on the pet than the disease itself. Hearing the latter concerned us given Winston at that time was already 12 years old. We were afraid that we might do more damage so we did not proceed with testing for Cushing's given it might require harmful meds, at least according to the Vet. Have you heard if this is true about Cushing's Meds?
The Thyroid meds have actually helped the little guy tremendously in the areas of strength and stability, just not hair growth. He does have some of the Cushing's symptoms though, hair loss, darkened skin. His water consumption is normal though as is his eating. He will not overeat and when he is full, he'll walk away from his food dish leaving what left to his brother and guardian, our 60 lb Vizsla MoMo.

I'm kind of horrified that your vet did not test for Cushings due to fear of side effects of medication. I agree with Wylie's Mom that you should see a veterinary dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis. Here's a link to an article about treatment for Cushings, including possible side effects of medication: https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/Con.../ucm151209.htm . That said, I'm hopeful, from your description of your dog's eating and drinking habits, that your dog does not have Cushings.

There are other conditions besides Cushings than can cause hair loss, including mange, other types of infection, other hormonal imbalances, Color Dilution Alopecia, etc. See https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions...ecia?page=show

The best way to get to the bottom of this and get your dog on the track to feeling better is to consult a veterinary dermatologist.

[my3kiddos]

Hello! My sweet boy is also 16 years old and weighs about 5.5-6 pounds. He has hearing loss and small cataracts that thankfully haven’t gotten worse and he has less of an appetite. We have noticed his fur is thinning as well. It started back near his tail like your dogs did. At his well dog check up the vet said that can be part of aging. I am hoping it won’t get any worse. Since he eats less we are trying to supplement with vitamins. The fact is they are getting near the end of their life. Each day is a gift. I will be so sad when he has to break my heart and go as I am sure you will be too. ❤️

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by my3kiddos

Hello! My sweet boy is also 16 years old and weighs about 5.5-6 pounds. He has hearing loss and small cataracts that thankfully haven’t gotten worse and he has less of an appetite. We have noticed his fur is thinning as well. It started back near his tail like your dogs did. At his well dog check up the vet said that can be part of aging. I am hoping it won’t get any worse. Since he eats less we are trying to supplement with vitamins. The fact is they are getting near the end of their life. Each day is a gift. I will be so sad when he has to break my heart and go as I am sure you will be too. ❤️

Wishing you much more time with your sweet little guy. It is so hard to watch them decline. He clearly has lived a long, happy life. 16 is wonderful.

[matese]

My pup was with me for 17 years, she had beautiful hair all her life until the very end of her life. She lost so much hair she didn't look like the same dog. She wasn't bald, just very very short hair. It is sad to see them age, for me, my love for her became deeper, she was my only yorkie that lived that long. Cherish each day he is with you.