FAO redmoor

[Guest MOLLY]

The cream has worked on the baldy patch, BUT......... she has started another one, a mirror image of the 1st one

You can see the new one is a mirror image of the one on the left growing in now....

 

 

Is this normal?

MOLL.

[redmoor 0]

Hmmmm..there are various things that spring to mind..top of my list of suspicions would be Cheyletiella mites are often called "walking dandruff". On close observation of an infested dog, cat, or rabbit, it may be possible to see movement of the dandruff on the skin. The movement is caused by the mites motoring around under the scales. . They generally do not cause significant disease.

 

What is the life cycle of Cheyletiella mites and how are they transmitted?

The details of the life cycle of Cheyletiella mites are not known, but presumably the life cycle is completed on one host.

 

The adult mite is transmitted by direct contact between animals. The mites can live several days while off the host, so it is possible for animals to become infected through environmental contamination, e.g., bedding.

 

What are the symptoms of walking dandruff?

The mites cause skin irritation, usually along the back of the animal. Infested animals may have slight hair loss, scales (dandruff), itching and possibly some thickening of the skin. Cats and rabbits may not show any signs of infestation.

 

How is an infestation with Cheylettiella diagnosed?

Mites may be seen on the animal, especially if you use a magnifying glass. Examining dandruff, hairs or scrapings of the skin under the microscope can positively identify the mites. Because cats groom a lot, Cheyletiella infestations can sometimes be diagnosed in them by examining their feces. (The animals swallow the mites which then go through the intestines without being digested.)

 

What is the treatment for an infestation with Cheyletiella?

Cheyletiella are killed by most of the common insecticides used against fleas including pyrethrins, permethrins and organophosphates. Be sure to use an insecticide approved for your species of pet. Rabbits and cats should NOT be treated with permethrin. In general, insecticides safe for cats are also safe for rabbits. Dips in lime sulfur and injections of ivermectin have also been used to treat an infestation with these mites.

 

The mite can live for several days off the host, so the environment needs to be cleared of mites as well. At the same time the animals are treated, the environment may be fogged or sprayed. Since the mites only live for several days off the host, it is often effective to remove the rabbit, dog or cat from the premises for several days until the mites die. This would prevent reinfestation.

 

Could I get Cheyletiella from my pet?

These mites can temporarily infest humans causing a mild skin irritation and some itching. In severe cases some open lesions may occur.

 

Other reasons for hairloss may be:

 

Overview of animal hair loss

 

Certain causes of hair loss in animals have a general cause and can affect both cats and dogs. Other aspects of hair loss are specific to dogs. Before a diagnosis can be made it must be established whether the hair of the dog is falling out. The alternative is the dog is scratching and causing the hair to fall out. This means that there is an underlying cause of the itching. It may be caused by an allergy, a parasite or a skin infection.

 

Hair loss may also occur because the hair follicles have stopped cycling, which means no new hair growth starts. Usually this is seen on the trunk and the hind legs, and it is not accompanied by any marks or inflammations.

 

Many diseases and conditions are associated with hair cycle abnormalities. These include endocrinal diseases such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s syndrome, alopecia X, cyclic flank alopecia, pattern baldness, post-clipping alopecia, and telogenic defluxion.

 

Examples of Reasons why dogs Lose their hair

 

Flea associated dermatitis

This affects both cats and dogs. The bite of a single flea can cause this condition, and sometimes it may be difficult to find, particularly in dark haired pets. Fleas often seem to prefer the area of skin that is just in front of the base of the tail. If the coat of dogs has a brittle or broken crop of hairs in this area it is usually fleas. Another telltale sign is that the hair has a distinctive smell it is musty.

 

Treatment

 

A topical flea control medicine is usually an effective treatment.

 

Canine Atopy

When humans have a typical allergic reaction, the respiratory system is often involved. In dogs the skin is involved. Unfortunately anti histamine treatment is not effective for dogs. The diseases are usually inbred and this means that dogs have a genetic predisposition to allergic reactions.

 

Treatment

 

Shampoos, or a soothing cream. Bathing agents that reduce the presence of yeast and bacteria are often helpful.

 

Pyotraumatic Dermatitis (Hot Spots)

These hot spots are more likely to occur in dogs with rich oily coats. Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Spitz, Samoyed, Chows, Akitas, and the Pyrenean mountain dogs are examples of breeds that suffer. Intense itching occurs in one or two isolated area of the trunk of the body. This itching inflames the local area, and the skin is often raw within a few hours. It is helpful to restrain your pet as the dogs bite, scratch and aggravate the area and make the condition worse. This condition can re-occur or it may be a one off. Treatment depends on the severity of the case and can include a topical ointment, an astringent, a cortisone cream, or an anti-inflammatory injection. It is rare to need antibiotics.

 

Mange hair loss

There are two distinct types of mange

 

Demodectic mange

 

Demodectic mange, is a genetic disorder often found in young dogs. A parasite, which lives in the hair and oil glands of the skin of all dogs, begins to multiply exponentially. It runs in certain lines of dogs and is more common in certain breeds of dogs

 

It causes no itching but the involved areas are subject to secondary bacterial infection.

 

Treatment

 

It is treated with Mitaban (amitraz) dips or with ivermectin.

 

Sarcoptic mange

 

Sarcoptic mange is due to a transmissible parasite that burrows through the layers of the skin causing intense itching. It passes from pet to pet through contact. It will attack humans as well.

 

Treatment

 

It is easily cured with ivermectin given orally or by injection.

 

Ringworm

Despite the name of ringworm it is not a parasitic worm it is a fungal infection. It does not itch and as its name suggests it is round. It is transmitted by contact. The hair in the area breaks off when the fungus attacks the hair shafts. It may spontaneously disappear especially in cats yet the animal remains a carrier of the fungus.

 

Treatment

 

It is treated with fluconozole, itraconazole, griziofulvin and topical iodine preparations.

 

Nervous or Stress/Boredom Induced dermatitis

This is quite common in most of the terrier breeds. It is more common in dogs than cats and more common when the dog is left alone. It also occurs due to persistent licking of an area in older, obese or lame pets.

 

It is hard to cure.

 

Treatments

 

Some treatments include topical bitters mists, relieving boredom, anti obsessive/compulsive behavior drugs such as chlomipramine, and taping isolated areas with a protective covering.

 

Food Allergies hair loss dermatitis

Dogs with this problem have a permanent itch. Dogs have cells which release anti histamines, when the dog eats certain proteins. This condition is difficult to isolate so all the other treatment options for the above causes of hair loss in dogs should be assessed first.

 

Treatemnt

 

The treatment is placing the dog on a trial diet for two or three months

 

Hair loss under collar

When a dog’s hair keeps getting caught in the collar they will lose it. A change of collar is all that is needed. However hair rubbing under a collar can be an early warning sign of disease in some dogs.

 

Cushing’s syndrome.

Cushing’s syndrome is also a human condition. In dogs it can be mistaken for general ageing as it results in weight gain, hair loss, and urinary incontinence.

 

Treatment

 

The treatment depends on the age and condition of the dog.

 

I think i would have a skin scrape done of the area and have the Vet check the sample to see if anything is present.

 

Hope something there helps.

[ferret15 0]

[Guest MOLLY]

Thank redmoor.

Have already ruled out most of them except Pyotraumatic Dermatitis , but she does not have the inflamation.

And allergy. Im just trying now to eliminate possible causes for it but it might be a LONG haul. Any ideas how long it takes for the itching to stop after the trigger has been removed?

Someone has TOLD me it looks very much like hyperthyroidism but she has none of the other symptoms?

MOLL.

[redmoor 0]

Skin problems are VERY difficult to diagnose if there is no mite problem there, although you arent seeing anything and there is no redness/pussy discharge, i would still have this ruled out by having a scrape done..once beasties are ruled out, then moving onto the next level of investigation is the best way ahead. Is she insured by any chance?

[Guest MOLLY]

Yes she is redmoor. Ive had both mange (sarcoptic) and walking dandruff on various dogs, so i know what to look for with them. Its the bizzare way it is isolated to the one region which is confusing me.

Ill make a vet app when im back from my hols

MOLL.

[redmoor 0]

I hope you and she can get to the bottom of this soon.

[Tonymac 0]

Molly,it seems funny the positioning.As you said as far as position goes its a Mirror image.I am wondering if the Dog is getting underneath something and rubbing her back and whatever she is making contact with is setting things off? Tony

[redmoor 0]

I was thinking about this and wonder if it could be hormone related, this shows itself as bilateral hair loss in some dogs.

 

HORMONE RELATED DISEASES WITH HAIR LOSS -

 

Cortisone excess: Symmetric hair loss over trunk and body. Abdomen is pot-bellied and pendulous. Seen with Cushing's syndrome. In some cases the dog is taking steroids.

 

Growth hormone-responsive alopecia: Bilaterally symmetric hair loss. Begins around puberty. Breed specific involvement.

 

Hyperestrogenism (Estrogen excess): Occurs in females and males. Bilateral symmetric hair loss in perineum and around genitals. Enlarged vulva and clitoris; in males, pendulous prepuce.

 

Hypoestrogenism (Estrogen deficiency): Occurs in older spayed females. Scanty hair growth and thinning coat, initially around vulva and later over body. Skin is smooth and soft, like a baby's.

 

Hypothyroidism: Most common cause of bilaterally symmetric hair loss without itching. Coat is thin, scanty and falls out easily. Involves the neck beneath the chin to the brisket, sides of body, backs of thighs and top of tail.

Edited August 5, 2007 by redmoor

[Guest MOLLY]

No redmoor, absolutley no other symptoms except the itching and hair loss.

 

Tonymac, i did think that initially, thought she had ripped the hair out going under a shed. But it kept happening at at other times.

MOLL.

[Bobo 136]

My mates lakeland does that,she rubs her back on the top of the hatch in her kennel and rubs her hair out right down to the skin,she's got a thick coat and i think she just gets hot and itchy.Looks very similar to that on your dog Moll.