Dog Has Small Skin Patches with Hair Loss

Hi Leanne,

Considering your Australian bulldog’s age, 7 months old, and he is not scratching the area, nor is the skin scabby or scaly, from the photos I would suspect this is either ‘mange’ caused by a microscopic mite, or ‘ringworm’ caused by a fungus.

Neither of these conditions can be diagnosed by a ‘swab’, nor are they treated with antibiotics.

Mange mites are found with a skin scraping. It may take 2-3 scrapings to located the mites and view them under the microscope.

Ringworm is diagnosed with a fungus culture. The culture may take 3 weeks to grow and show a ‘positive’ result.

See our page on How to Treat Dog Mange: Demodectic Mange which discusses the cause of demodectic mange.

Ringworm is a fungus (not a worm) and can be a serious problem. It can also be spread to humans. If your dog has widespread ringworm, it is probably an indication of overall poor health.

Symptoms of ringworm:

•Often starts as a red area, then it develops into a small ring that slowly grows
•Area surrounding ringworm will often be hairless or stubbly
•Thickened skin
•Scabbed and/or irritated skin

Diet does play a big role in maintaining healthy skin and hair coat. If your dog were ‘allergic’ to the food, he would be scratching and itching. Since he is NOT scratching, I do not feel that this is an allergy.

It may be best to seek the help of a holistic veterinarian to proceed from here. Vaccinations can stress a puppy’s immune system and make him ‘susceptible’ to this skin problem. So, it may be best to look for holistic solutions, and boost his immune system.

Try these overall immune boosters:

1. Missing Link Canine Formula
2. Immuplex from Standard Process
3. OrthoMolecular Specialties, Mega C Powder

Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Related Pages:
– Dog Skin Conditions,
– Dog Itchy Skin,
– Dog Skin Rash,
– Dog Skin Allergies,
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Skin Rashes, Marks, Spots, Lesions & Patches (including itchy skin and mange) Section,
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Hair Loss Section

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Hi thank you for replying back to me, the first vet I took him to said it was a skin fungal infection, I took him to another vet today and they seem to think its still a fungal thing so they gave him a wash to try see if that helps..

Hi Leanne,

Thanks for the update that the hair loss is due to a ‘fungus’. (or commonly called ‘ringworm’). This is contagious to humans also.

As I said in my previous posting, you might consider some immune supplements, and also think about changing his food to Raw diet to improve his health.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

My dog has the same patches missing !!! I’ve been bathing her every other day .. Please update and tell me if anything has worked for you ? These vets just seem like they want your money and recommend same as other vets.

February 14, 2015

Dear Mr. Franco,

Thanks for your question.

I’m happy to help, but we only accept new questions from subscribers (the original question above was from a subscriber).
I’ll then get back to you right away at the bottom of your newly created web page.

Dr. Carol Jean Tillman