Hair Lose Around the Eyes and Corners Of The Mouth

by Sandra
(Canada)

My 3 year old Schipperke has been loosing his hair around his eyes. He is starting to look like a raccoon. I have tried worming him and it seemed to work, his hair started to come back, but after one month his hair is falling out and I'm seeing tiny scabs this time. Do you have any idea what could be causing this.


My Comment:

Hi Sandra

I suppose that the eyes is OK.

Otherwise, this would be my first thing to check if I saw your dog.

I would be looking on the redness of the eyes and look after any signs of ocular discharge.

If nothing there I would be thinking of allergy. The area around the eyes, paws, anal area, ears and the corners of the mouth is often involved in allergy.

So, if he is itching his body, liking or biting his paws or seems irritated around the tail allergy it could be. Often there is some reaction in the ears as well.

Often you have to see all the "puzzle bits" and while you ask and examine the patient, you might think allergy is a possibility.

About the worming.....what did you use?

I can't remember any worms making this symptoms, but if demodex is involved some newer medicines can kill them. Some of these medicines (Advocate or Stronghold) might be used as worming remedies in your country (I am not sure if this the case!!).

Demodex is a parasite living in the hair follicles and mostly seen in younger animals. It can be localised or more general. Often there is no or only very mild inflammation in the area. And the area around the eyes is often involved (not the cornes of the mouth)

The final diagnosis is made by a skin scrape and in the microscope the small demodex can be seen.

A visit at your vet is therefore needed to really be sure if it is this or not.

In general I would think he would be a bit too old for this disease - but I have seen older dogs have it as well.

So absolutely worth to consider.

To make the final diagnosis - you need to have the "hands on" but hope this can help you in some way.

My best wishes

Per Schonbeck