[LOVINGBOXERMOM]

Our 8 year old Boxer has been loosing his fur in two spots just above him bum on his back. He does not itch or bother it at all. Years ago it started in one spot and came back after we started giving him fish oil. It has now started to fall out again - now in two spot - we started giving him fish oil again but it is not working. We have taken him to our vet and they said the fish oil should work. We are going to take him again but wanted to see what others have encountered.

 

[=CC=]

Is the hair loss symmetrical? There is a syndrome (can't remember what it's called) that can cause symmetrical hair loss, and the skin turns black underneath. It's not itchy or painful. I think it's actually a hormonal problem.

We've seen it in boxers and bulldogs, and have treated with melatonin. It's cheap, and can be found in health food stores, but make sure you check with your vet first to get the ok to try it...and also the dosage.

 

[Kaco Boxers]

Its called seasonal alopecia. Yes, melatonin is used to help it.

 

[WholeLottaBoxers]

Also have his thyroid level checked. At 8 yrs old, it may be hypothyroidism.

 

[AussieAnita]

My Sally is 9 weeks old and she is already losing hair on her tail, it is also turning hard, but doesn't seem to bother her. I think in her case it is because she keeps sitting on it on the concrete and then wiggling! I will have to watch that it doesn't end up grazed!

 

[WholeLottaBoxers]

My Sally is 9 weeks old and she is already losing hair on her tail, it is also turning hard, but doesn't seem to bother her. I think in her case it is because she keeps sitting on it on the concrete and then wiggling! I will have to watch that it doesn't end up grazed!

If it's on the very tip of her tail, she had a bad crop job and the bone is irritating the skin at the end of the tail and it's callousing over.

 

[=CC=]

Its called seasonal alopecia. Yes, melatonin is used to help it.

Thank you...I was having a brain cramp!

 

[MYA]

arghh. Mya has those and its driving me nuts. Fortunately, it doesnt bother her. I took her to the vet and at first they said it was allergies. They tested for eveything..mites, thyroid etc only to come back to me and say it most likely is seasonal alcopecia.

Melatonin 3mg is what was recommended. Its been a while now and her skin is just black. I am really hoping she grows hair back again. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssssssssssssseeee!

 

[SuzyQsmom]

Our SuzyQ used to have that too. She would lose her hair in the oddest patterns. One year she looked like she had zebra stripes down her sides and one year it was little polka dots. After ruling out allergies and thyroidism the vet did say seasonal allopecia. Since it didn't bother her in the least bit, we just ignored it. I have read differing opinions on the cause - from the difference in the amount of daylight hours from winter to summer, to the dry heat indoors and the dry cold outdoors in cold climates. But it sounds like they really don't have a clue what causes it.

 

[AussieAnita]

If it's on the very tip of her tail, she had a bad crop job and the bone is irritating the skin at the end of the tail and it's callousing over.

She hasn't book docked, in Australia it is illegal. Plus i love her long tail white tip n all! I have heard they can be a near lethal weapon to gents!

 

[Josh&mehia]

Hi,

I have a female boxer she is around 7 years old and she has aplace on her lower back and the hair has falling out some has cam back but not all of it. It has turn black and looks almost like leather. She has had had food allergies in the past and lost her hair but it has always came back. Im just worried because it has turned black. Would anyone might know what this is? Ps im taking her to she the vet i just wanted to she if anyone here has seen this before.

 

[Gypsiemouse]

Josh&mehia- it is seasonal flank alopecia.
here a link too a recent thread with how to cure it:

http://www.boxerforums.com/health-concerns/92809-skin-discoloration.html

welcome to the forum, BTW

 

[Josh&mehia]

Thank you for the info i did not know what it might be.

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[MYA]

yup mya has that too. Started once last year and it grew back. She lost it again this past December and now its June and the fur still has not grown.

Vet checked for everything. Mites, thyroid etc. but nothing except 'seasonal alopecia'

 

[Josh&mehia]

Mehia has had food allergies in the past i not sure if this might be linked to it or not. But it seems to not bother her at all that. What did the vet say about treating it?

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[boxerlove84]

Maggie doesn't have it that bad but it definitely looks the same - seasonal alopecia. On her, it always grows back and skin turns pink again in the fall.


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[winnie]

I agree with cait. Definitely have the thyroid level checked. Hair loss, thickening and darkening of the skin can be a sign.

 

[jim.mcconneha]

My Boxer has black spots all over her she is 5 years old, what can I do, she has hard spots on her to, What caused this.

 

[[email protected]]

Might be helpful if you could show some pictures of the spots

 

[chip18]

OK, well first this post is from 2013? And yes it is mostly some form of "Alopecia?" I have never seen it in dog's? But one of my Cat's has it happen to her tail from time to time usually in the summer? The hair just disappears from her tail and then it comes back after a bit?

I think it happens in the early spring or summer, not sure? But I think it clears up with, "Anti Bioics?" Or on it's own? I'm not really sure?

And I am not really sure that her skin is turning "Dark, as such?" She is a "Fawn Dog, so what color is her belly?? That would be the color of her skin?

But here is more info on "Alopecia."

Hair Loss in Dogs (Alopecia in Dogs) | PetMD

Dr. Sandi Huffman explains hair loss, or alopecia, in dogs, including how canine alopecia is diagnosed, treated, and managed.

www.petmd.com