For instance, I’m willing to bet Shadow doesn’t even know that he has a surgery coming up. That right, he’s gonna get the ole “snip snip”. Boy, will that puppy be surprised.  : )

As Shadow said, I will be blogging about different aspects of dog health. Things like, why it’s important for male dogs to get neutered, and how it can reduce health risks as they age. (I bet he doesn’t know about that part either.) I think I’ll also rewrite some of Chris’ articles on dog pain relievers like aspirin and Rimadyl (let me you honey, that’s some good stuff) to help dogs with arthritis.

My life is simple. I prefer the finer things, like lying in the dirt in the backyard or finding a nice spot in the shade. One of the nice things about living in the south is that you can be outside year round. Unlike Shadow, I’m not fond of water. I’ll take baths, but they aren’t my favorite.

I look forward to sharing comments with each of you and getting to know you better.

Ya’ll stay in the shade,

Abigail the Southern Belle

P.S. If you happen to like this article, please show some love and click on one of the bookmark icons (StumbleUpon, etc.) below.

Canine hair loss is common with dogs. Dogs shed throughout the year, but primarily in the spring and fall. This is a normal occurrence and the extra hair can normally be brushed out on a daily basis to help keep it from being spread throughout your house.

Sometimes, dogs will have bald spots. This type of canine hair loss can be a cause for concern and should be checked out by a veterinarian.

The most common cause of canine hair loss is an allergic reaction to something. These allergens can be found in your dog’s food or caused by parasites like fleas.  (For more information on dog allergies, see “Canine Allergies: Is Your Dog Allergic?”) The itchy, inflamed areas caused by the allergens may cause your dog to lick, scratch, or gnaw the areas excessively and make them more inflamed.

The good news is that if an allergen is the cause of the hair loss, the coat should grow back over time once the allergen has been removed.

The second group of canine hair loss causes can be one of the following:

• Thyroid disorder
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Cushing’s disease
• Tumor
• Steroids

If your dog has been given steroids for another condition, the hair may return after the steroids are taken away.  These symptoms will need to be diagnosed by a veterinarian.

The third most common cause of canine hair loss is infections. These can be from sarcoptic mange or ringworm, and special dog shampoos are available to help with this condition.

Please take your dog to a veterinarian to get him/ her properly checked out before treatment.

After some searching, I found a shampoo for dogs with thinning hair. This might be helpful.*
Isle of Dogs Coature No. 20 Royal Jelly Dog Shampoo for Thin or Shedding Coats, 8.4 oz.

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*This page contain affiliate links. Shadow’s gotta eat too. : )