Introduction
While alopecia in dogs is usually caused by a variety of underlying conditions, there are steps that owners can take to prevent this condition in their dog. Responsible breeding, yearly physicals, parasite control, and reducing stress will help to reduce the chances of alopecia in your dog.
Preventing Alopecia in Dogs
Hereditary Alopecia
There are certain types of alopecia that are genetically passed down to offspring from the mother and/or father of the puppies. Hereditary alopecia conditions are more prevalent in certain breeds, and breeders have a responsibility to immediately spay or neuter any dogs which have been diagnosed with hereditary alopecia.
Parasitic Alopecia
A large number of alopecia cases in dogs are caused by parasitic infections, and using preventative parasite control will keep parasitic alopecia away. This means that if you live in an area where there are fleas and ticks, you should use flea and tick repellents even if your dog has not yet become infected with these parasites. Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment will also reduce the possibilities of alopecia associated with lice and mites.
Hair Loss Due to Underlying Medical Conditions
Alopecia is also frequently caused by an underlying medical condition. Complete yearly physicals and blood tests will help catch any developing condition that may lead to alopecia. Bringing the condition under control before it gets out of hand can also prevent alopecia symptoms from developing. Yearly physicals and complete blood tests are especially important for dogs that are seven or more years of age.
Keep in mind that some cases of alopecia cannot always be prevented. For example, pet owners may be completely unaware that their dog has an allergy until a symptom, such as alopecia, occurs. If you have a dog that has inherited an alopecia condition, it may be difficult to prevent hair loss; in this case, it is best to spay or neuter your dog to reduce stress and hormonal imbalances and to prevent your dog from passing on the alopecia condition to puppies.