I have three daschunds (Dixie, 5 years old and is red standard sized, Scarlet is 1 1/2 and is a medium sized dapple, and MaryCatherine is 1 year old and is a black and tan miniature.

All are healthy and happy but the miniature one looks like she is balding at the temples. She looked that way when I bought her as a puppy and thought the hair would grow in with age ( yeah you're right - my hair hasn't grown in with age either). Now the hair loss looks as though its spreading.

A lady I know bought a daschund - she brought it to work and I saw the same thing on her dog - in fact her dog had no hair on its chest.

I was wondering if its something common to the breed or if its something I should be concerned about. Is there a remedy?

Thanks in advance for any help you may have.

JerryJones

labman

Good dog people are scarce on the net. I have a strong background in socializing puppies and nutrition, but most of the medical stuff, I can only suggest checking with a vet. I think a vet tech checks in here sometimes, but haven't seem much of her recently. Maybe she waits for the right question.

tiger_3leg

Hi
I've never heard of Dachshunds having some crazy breed-specific hair loss like what you're describing. My first thoughts are fleas (although the hair loss is usually on the lower back and belly), mange, allergies/skin irritation (could be from it's bedding or other contacts, food, or inhaled allergens). Thyroid issues can also cause coat problems, but that wouldn't occur in a young dog.
Make sure you have the dog on good food - any national brand is ok; keep away from Ol' Roy and store brand foods. I recommend Eukanuba, Iams, or Nutro. Also keep your dogs on good flea control (again, nothing over the counter - only use what vets carry). Frontline, Advantage, and Advantix are best. Some dogs are VERY sensitive to fleas, and only one flea bite can drive them crazy. Keep any contact allergens to a minimum - carpet powders, air fresheners, etc that may irritate the skin. You can also bathe the dog with a gentle shampoo for dogs. Oatmeal shampoos are great, or you can get Hylyt or Relief shampoos from a vet.
If nothing seems to help, or if it gets worse, take him to the vet. As I said, mange is another concern, and he would need to be treated for that.
Good Luck

msterrilynn

I am at a total loss. My daschund has crusty areas on his back and his hair is falling out because of these scabs. I have taken him to the vet numerous times. He has had steroids shots and they don't seem to help. I have also changed his dog food from Science Diet to Purina Pro Plan - salmon flavored.....still no luck. I've been told they can do an allergy test, however, they may not be able to tell for sure what he is allergic to. I also have been using Allergroom shampoo and Resicort leave-on lotion to assist with any itching.....

I am looking for any other ideas.

Thanks

labman

The allergy tests are expensive. They can pinpoint the allergen and guide you to removing the right thing. You could try giving him a Benadryl capsule every day. If it relieves his symptoms, it is allergies, and that would encourage you to pay for the blood tests.

Pro Plan is a good chow that should be giving him all he needs. The Science Diet wasn't fish based too was it. If you change chows, you need to change protein sources as well as brands.

erileered

I have a dauschand/chichuahua puppy who is a little over 3 months old. with in the past 2 weeks she has been losing a large amount of hair from her neck to her tail. it is getting worse and she has started to scratch more. i took her to the vet and she was checked for mange and any sort of fungus. everything seemed fine. the vet said that it may be an oil deficiency and gave me oil tablets to give to her but it has only gotten worse. The skin does not look irritated in any sort of way. We are not sure what to do???

labman

You do have her on a dry, commercial dog chow, and feed her very little else? The cheaper ones may not have quite enough oil for some dogs, but the more expensive ones, if anything have too much. The fewer baths the better. Brush her once a day with a soft bristle brush. You are not allowing her to swim in a chlorinated pool are you? If she only continues to get worse, maybe you need to check with a second vet.

erileered

We have her eating 2 types of dry food-the vet told her to switch up her food. She has never been in a pool either. And if she seems dirty i wipe her down. She only weighs 3 and a half pounds so it was suggested not to give her full baths. I am going to have to take her to the vet. Thank you for your suggestions.

ethylmima

I have 2 Dachshunds - a smooth red female (11 mos.) & a long-hair choc/tan male (4 mos.). . . They sleep in the same cage together but have been itching because of fleas, I have given them 2 flea baths in the last week which seemed to get rid of the fleas.

But recently (within the last few days) my female has been "shedding" like crazy. She has very short smooth hair and has never shed before; now our shirts are covered and if you lightly run your hand along her back, your hand is then covered in her fur!! I am very worried about her, she is acting normal and her coat still looks beautiful...but it's falling out! HELP.

They eat Purina One Puppy Chow. Could it be that sometimes my indoor/outdoor cat eats out of their food bowl, too?

Any response would be great.

Sincerely,
Sara

labman

If she has not been spayed or had her first season, she could blowing off her coat as females tend to do just before coming into season.

She could also be reacting to the baths. It would be better to go with one of the modern, effective flea treatments such as Advantage, Revolution, Program, or even some of the over the counter stuff. Along with frequent brushing, it should eliminate the need to bath them.