Why is my dog losing hair on his back, spreading and itching?

Question

My dog haa been losing his hair on his back..started off in a few patches and now its all on his back..spreading. Weve been using antiseptic and antifungal shampoo and spray. It itches him and seema to have some sensitive areas. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 80 lbs

Shaneez Wallani, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hair loss can be caused by bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, dietary or environmental allergies or sensitivities, immune system disorders, or a combination of the above. In dogs like Kevin Bacon Smith (great name, by the way!) with severe hair loss like in the picture, one common cause can be infection by mites that can live in the hair follicles and lead to hair loss, and secondary bacterial and fungal infections that can develop. I recommend making an appointment to have him seen by your veterinarian to help determine the cause of the hair loss as soon as you can. The vet will likely want to look at a sample from the area (taken by a procedure known as a skin scraping) and examined under the microscope to determine what kind(s) of infection may be present and to figure out what medication is appropriate for treatment. Good luck!

Why is my dog losing hair on his back, spreading and itching?

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