Allergy Season – Hair Loss & Itchy Skin

Toxin Buildup & Detox  

Any abnormal foreign chemical can result in a buildup of toxins in the body.  These can come from flea sprays, shampoos, drugs, flea collars and heartworm drugs.  When and if you “detox” your dog, remember that toxins in the body are mainly released through the skin and not through the feces or urine, so you may see increased skin problems even during a detox.    

Dry Pet Foods 

Chemicals from preservative agents used in dry pet foods (Ethoxyquin, BHT, PABA etc.) that are added to increase the shelf life of the product allowing the food to be exposed to the environment for months without spoiling affect the immune system.  

Fungicides 

It is theorized that fungicides are the precursor to cancer, and it may be possible to actually destroy a fungicide (and prevent cancer) by raising the PH with sodium bicarbonate.  I mention this now because of the negative effect that fungicide has on the immune system and being a foreign agent in the body.    

Drugs     

A double-edged sword. We love to see the scratching stop but using drugs such as cortico-steroids and antibiotics destroys the bacterial flora in the gut (both good and bad bacteria), and long-term use is very damaging to the body. It’s little wonder that these inflammation reducing agents are called Band-Aid fixes and should only be used for short application.

Environmental Exposure

Our water, food and air cause major issues for our animals. Our pets indiscriminately search for food and water and drink whether it is contaminated or not.  Air pollution affects our pets in the same way that it affects you and me.  All these cause immune decline and inflammation. 

Exposure to Radiation 

That which is used on food and also from the sun.  It all leads to internal destruction of all internal systems.    

Stress  

Doesn’t just affect humans…but it also affects our pets as well.  The emotional connection to internal damage is one of the most powerful triggers we know.   

Vaccinations 

We give our animals far too many vaccinations, mainly because of the multiple varieties. It really knocks down the immune system when multiple vaccines are administered to your pet.   

Hair Loss  

Hair loss can have a variety of causes, including, but not limited to sex, age and breed. It is important to understand the triggers for balding. This will allow you to take the proper care and precautions to prevent your dog from suffering. You will also be able to pinpoint the problem and stop the issue before it escalates into something much worse. 

Hair loss is also known as alopecia. Alopecia can be divided into two separate categories: inflammatory or non-inflammatory. With the help of your holistic veterinarian, it will be easier for you to distinguish what your dog is suffering from.  

Here are some issues that may be causing hair loss:   

Allergies: Allergic reactions to a food, chemical, or fleabites or environmental reactions (such as pollen).  

• Symptoms:Frequent licking or biting where your dog feels skin irritation.  You may also notice some redness or inflammation of the skin.  
• Prevention & Treatment: Along with feeding a BARF raw food diet, applying a topical ointment or lotion to relieve the itching sensation can reduce and alleviate pain that your dog is experiencing.  Supplements that promote a stronger immune system can also assist in the battle with allergies for your dog.  Incorporate an enzyme, probiotic, and omega-3 supplement to help give your pet’s immune system a boost.   

Genetics:Certain breeds like dachshunds, greyhounds or whippets are susceptible to alopecia.   

• Prevention: Dogs are typically born with this condition, and their hair begins to thin over time, particularly under the belly and ear flaps. The only effective method of screening this genetically is by selective breeding.    

Cushing’s Syndrome: A benign tumor in the pituitary gland. Can be caused by too many steroids, cortisol or aging.  

• Symptoms: Thirst, frequent urination, muscle weakness, and/or an enlarged abdomen.   
• Prevention & Treatment:Your holistic veterinarian may recommend medication, surgery, and feeding a raw diet (BARF Diet).  

Infection: Can be caused by fungus, bacteria, or mites.  

• Symptoms:Thick skin, irritation, inflammation, oily skin and redness.  Hair loss can be located where the infection is found.  Ringworms can cause irregular hair loss and scabbing.  
• Prevention & Treatment:Maintaining a clean and safe environment can prevent infections from occurring.  The ringworm may clear up by itself; if this does not happen then you may need to treat the area of infection with an antifungal shampoo.   

Sores and Rashes: Insect bites or reactions to chemicals and plants. 

• Symptoms:Lack of appetite, fever, redness, callus or thickened skin.   
• Prevention & Treatment:Determine what factors trigger your pet to break out so you can find ways to avoid or minimize exposure.  Using an all-natural topical cream, ointment, lotion (like Organic Lavender Noni lotion) can reduce the swelling and pain and speed up the healing process. If the condition continues, you may want to speak to your vet for treatment and to avoid an infection.   

As you may have noticed, the trend for preventing dog hair loss is to optimal nutrition for your pet.  Feeding the BARF diet to your dogs is of the utmost significance because it gives your dogs all of the nutrients that would be found in the wild. It is their evolutionary diet and what they were intended to eat.  

It is also important to be mindful of your dog’s surroundings because you never know what they can get into that will cause a reaction. Keeping your dog in a safe, stress-free environment with a good diet and fresh water is essential to keep your dog healthy and full of hair.   

References:  

 http://www.naturalnews.com/028434_Cushings_disease_pet_health.html 

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-bald-spot