Why is my dogs hair falling out from the back of his head to the end of his tail?

Question

I have a beagle and he is chewing at himself to the point that the hair is gone from the back of his head to the end of his tail. We have tried medication and flea spray. We don't know what else to do.

Answer 1

Sarcoptic mange, commonly known as canine scabies is caused by the parasite Sarcoptes scabiei. These microscopic mites can invade the skin of healthy dogs or puppies and create a variety of skin problems, the most common of which is hair loss and severe itching. While they will infect other animals and even humans, they prefer to live their short lives on dogs. Fortunately, there are several good treatments for this parasite and the disease can be easily controlled.
Who gets sarcoptic mange?

Sarcoptic mange can infect all ages and breeds of dogs. While it prefers to live on dogs, this particular mite will also infect cats, humans, and foxes. Cats, foxes, and humans all have their own particular species of mite within the Sarcoptes family. Each species of mite prefers one specific kind of host (e.g.; dog), but may also infect others. Since all of these species of mites have a similar life cycle and respond to the same treatment, we will assume that the vast majority of dog infections are caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei and treat accordingly.

What is the life cycle of Sarcoptes scabiei?

The mites usually spend their entire life on a dog. The female mite burrows into the skin and lays eggs several times as she continues burrowing. These tunnels can actually reach the length of several centimeters. After she deposits the eggs, the female mite dies. In 3-8 days, the eggs hatch into larvae which have 6 legs. The larvae mature into nymphs which have 8 legs. The nymph then molts into an adult while it is still in the burrow. The adults mate, and the process continues. The entire life cycle requires 2-3 weeks.

The mites prefer to live on the dog, but will live for several days off of the host in the environment. In cool moist environments, they can live for up to 22 days. At normal room temperature in a home, they will live from 2 to 6 days. Because of the mite's ability to survive off the host, dogs can become infected without ever coming into direct contact with an infected dog.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms are varied but usually include hair loss and severe itching on the elbows, ears, armpits, hocks, chest, and ventral abdomen (belly). The mites prefer to live on areas of the skin that have less hair. As the infection worsens it can spread over the entire body. Small red pustules often develop along with yellow crust on the skin. Because of the severe itching and resultant scratching from the dog, the skin soon becomes traumatized and a variety of sores and infections can develop as a result. The itching seems to be much worse in warm conditions such as indoors or near a stove or heat vent. If the infection goes on untreated or is mistakenly treated as an allergy, the skin may darken due to the constant irritation, and the surrounding lymph nodes may become enlarged.

Sarcoptic mange is a somewhat common infection and many cases have often been misdiagnosed as severe atopy (inhalant allergy). Any time we see a dog who does not have a prior history of allergies and develops severe itching, or if the itching is not seasonal but year-round, we have to suspect sarcoptic mange.

The intense itching caused by the sarcoptic mite is actually thought to be caused from a severe allergic reaction to the mite. When dogs are initially infected with Sarcoptes they do not develop itching for several weeks. If the animals are treated and then reinfected at a later time, severe itching starts almost immediately, which indicates the itching may be due to an allergic reaction. However, the standard treatments for allergies generally will not decrease the symptoms of scabies, and will do nothing to cure the disease.

How is sarcoptic mange diagnosed?

Trying to get a diagnosis for scabies can be very frustrating. The standard method is to perform a skin scraping and then identify the organism under the microscope. Unfortunately, on average, only twenty percent of the infected dogs will show Sarcoptes mites on any given scraping. Therefore, if a dog has a positive skin scraping the diagnosis is confirmed, but a negative scraping does not rule out sarcoptic mange. Therefore, most diagnoses are made based on history and response to treatment for scabies.

How is scabies treated?

There are several ways to treat scabies. In the past, the most effective treatment had been to clip the dog if he had long hair, bathe him with a benzoyl peroxide shampoo to cleanse the skin, and then apply an organophosphate dip (Paramite). Amitraz dips and Mitaban (also organophosphates), and lime sulfur dips (Lymdip) have also been used effectively. The animals are usually dipped once every two weeks for two to three times. While effective, these dips are very unpleasant to apply for both the owner and the dog. Because the dip must come in contact with the mites and many mites live on the face and ears of dogs, great care must be exercised when applying these dips to these sensitive areas. The dips can be toxic to humans and are not suitable for very young, old, or debilitated animals. In addition, there are some reported cases of resistance to these dips in some cases of mange.

Fortunately, there are several newer products on the market that have been extremely effective, safe, and convenient in treating sarcoptic mange. The most widely used is the liquid cattle wormer ivermectin (Ivomec). This product is available in a 1% liquid formula and is currently only labeled for use in cattle, but is widely used by veterinarians to treat Sarcoptic mange. In my practice, it is the first choice for treatment. Most dogs get one oral dose and then another oral dose two weeks later. The success and safety rate is excellent. Ivermectin should not be used in Collies or Shetland sheep dogs and should be used with caution in the herding breeds.

In dogs that are sensitive to ivermectin, some veterinarians have been having success using milbemycin oxime (Interceptor) at an off-label dose of once a week for three weeks. Both ivermectin and Interceptor should only be used under direct veterinary supervision and care.

Recently, a new product containing selamectin (Revolution) was released on the market. This product is a topical solution that is applied once a month and provides heartworm prevention, flea control, some tick protection and protection against Sarcoptic mange. I expect this product will be widely used in areas where Sarcoptic mange is a problem.

In addition to treating the dog, the environment can be treated with a residual insecticide (e.g.; permethrin).

How is sarcoptic mange prevented?

Because your dog does not have to come into direct contact with an infected dog to contract scabies, it is difficult to completely protect him. Places where large numbers of dogs congregate are obviously more likely to harbor the mange mite. Since fox and the environment in which fox may spend a large amount of time can transmit the mite to dogs, keep dogs away from fox and these areas. In my experience, dogs that are well groomed, eat a good diet, have a healthy skin and coat, and do not spend much time with other dogs or where dogs are brought together, are less likely to contract this disease. With the new product Revolution, we have an approved product that will help prevent Sarcoptic mange.

Can I get Sarcoptes from my pet?

Yes, although when humans get Sarcoptes scabei from animals, the disease is generally self-limiting, causing only temporary itching. There is a human race of Sarcoptes, which is transmitted from person to person. This human race of sarcoptic mite causes a rash on the wrists, elbows, or between the fingers. In infants, the rash may appear on the head, neck, or body.

Answer 2

Use a medicated shampoo either from the vet or someplace like Petsmart, you can buy it right off the shelf. If that was the medication you tried, try an oatmeal shampoo instead followed by a conditioner. Make sure to rinse all the soap out or it will make his skin worse.

If he doesn't respond to this, then it could either be from bordem (make sure he has plenty of other chew options like bones and stuff) or mites. Most mites can't be seen, but if you put a fingertip against the dogs skin sometimes you can feel them. If you suspect mites, take him to the vet.

Answer 3

He might have hot spots. Sometimes that happens if the soap from the bath isn't washed out well. It could be stress, or mange, or mosquito bites... I recommend a quick trip to the vet for an accurate diagnosis. Good luck! I hope your dog feels better soon.

Answer 4

This could be mange, or a variety of skin conditions, or it could be a food allergy. It could also be that the chewing is a nervous response and the dog has high anxiety--this would have to be treated behaviorily. I would see a vet--if you already have, try a different one for a second opinion. Good luck!

Answer 5

Allergies. Take him to vet he will get a shot and medicine for three months. Own a basset hound and he was doing the same thing. It cost about 60.00 in the state of KS. You can buy vitamins at petsmart to keep him from shedding so bad.

Answer 6

Sounds like mange. I had a dog who had it and went to the vet I don't recall if any medication were prescribed but we were told to change dog foods. We were feeding them Chuck Wagon and changed to Nutra Max. He was free of the problem in a few weeks. If you can take or call the vet, sometimes it is a simple problem.

Answer 7

Flea spray can aggravate this, please don't use it. It truly sounds like a flea allergy dermatitis. See a vet. They will give a cortisone injection to help stop the itching or send you home with prednisone. The vet can dx the condition. If it is fleas, the home needs to be treated in addition to having a monthly flea preventative from the vet - don't use anything OTC, too dangerous and in his condition, could actually worsen it.

Please see a vet asap to stop the pain.

Answer 8

Look and see what the dog is sleeping on. That happen to my cat before I knew it he had no hair. It ended up being an allergy to the bed he was sleeping on.

Answer 9

it's some type of skin disease i think. The people that live next to me there dogs is the same way it's pretty grose if you ask me

Answer 10

he probly has a flea alergy get him on frontline and then vaccuum the heck out of your house and do it often maybe even a bug bomb might work

Answer 11

probably hot spots, my dog has them , the vet gave him an antibiotic and antihistamine ,, seems to be working .