My border collie/black lab mix is losing hair on her stomach, inner thighs, and her butt....?

Question

She is spayed and about 2 and a half to 3 years old. She lost hair on her butt area some time ago, and it was then we switched her water dish out (it was plastic- we switched it to a metal dish b/c plastic chemicals seep into the water), as well as switched her diet to a more expensive dog food. Problem went away. Now it's coming back again. Nothing has changed. What is your opinion?

Also, I've taken her to the vet several times, and they all pretty much say the same thing. They suggest flea dermititus- she's on Frontline Plus so I don't think it's that. Can mange be present on her hind area? On her inner thighs? I get the vibe that my vet doesn't know what she's talking about.

Thanks!!

Answer 1

My BC mix had the same thing I thought it was nothing but it was a staff infection.  As a former vet tech I would recommend having a vet get a skin scraping and have it looked at under a microscope.  Flea dermatitis usually presents itself with a reddish rash.  Even if you don't see fleas or use frontline try Advantage I have better results with that brand.  Some dogs can have a flea allergy with only one bite.  If the skin scrape shows nothing it could be a diet allergy, sometimes dog food companies change ingredients, even the more expensive ones.  If you think it is the diet I'd look for a food without wheat and don't forget the treats too.  Good Luck!

Answer 2

My Rottie/Pitbull mix has nearly the same issue. Only he scratches himself until his hair falls off and it only happens during the summer time. He has extreme allergies. To combat this issue, here's what we do. Wash him thoroughly with an oatmeal based doggie shampoo. The oatmeal helps him with the itchiness and soothes the skin. After putting the shampoo on, leave it for a few minutes before washing it off. After the bath in done, dry her good and then put the frontline on. About a week or so after the Frontline is put on, start bathing her every couple of days with the oatmeal shampoo. Also, buy 'hotspot' spray for her. Hotspot sprays is for spots of severe itchiness. Try to get one that has cortisone(sp) in it.

All in all, that should help.

Answer 3

Try taking her to a different vet to get a second opinion. Don't tell the second opinion vet what your first vet said, because then they will agree with the other vet just to be polite. I don't see why it should be coming back if you haven't changed anything? Have you recently put fertilizer on your grass? This can sometimes cause skin issues.

Answer 4

She probably has mange mite. It usually starts at their hind end and works it way under and up toward the back. If however she doesn't have mange you might try getting her an allergy shot and treating your yard she could be itching herself bald. She could be getting chiggers from the grass. Ask your vet for mange treatment and an allergy shot.

Answer 5

Contact your vet!!!

People on here are not veterinarians and shouldnt tell you to do that. So contact your vet and they will give you the proper advice

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Answer 6

I've heard of seasonal alopecia in some dogs; is it around the same time of the year as last time? (Usually as the days get shorter.)

There is also an inherited type of alopecia, that is harmless.  But the skin is usually much darker where the hair loss is.  Here's a link to some of the different types of hair loss:  http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Der...

Flea bite dermatitis is usually itchy. The sites where she has hair loss aren't usually where mange is first noticed, but it's not impossible.

I would be all in favor of a second opinion.  If you have a veterinary college nearby, try them.  They would probably have an actual veterinary dermaologist on staff.

Best of luck.