Hair loss around eye

[Moo]

I noticed today that Kirby is missing some hair underneath the rim of his eye, on his bottom eyelid, on his left hand side. It's kind of come out in a triangle shape.

I am wondering if he got into something that he is allergic to. Mind you, he does not have any known food allergies, so I tend to be pretty liberal when it comes to throwing some of whatever vegetable we're eating into his food. I don't think I've given him anything new, or had anything new in the house, but I can't think of what else it would be. It is not a lot of hair, but it is noticable.

The skin might be a little bit more pink than it should be, but I can't say for sure... His skin is a mostly a dark brown tone all over, but then again, I don't see his skin straight out a lot. lol. I was touching the skin, and it does not appear to be inflamed at all, maybe puffy, again, not a reguar activity that I would be handling his skin without hair on it. There is no bite or rash. He hasn't played with any weird dogs recently either. He has not been scratching at it, that I've noticed. He could have just mashed his eye on something and torn out his hair, I guess.

So far, I have no noticed any fur missing anywhere else. I'm just going to watch if for a few days (those words seem to jinx me every time, but I'm going to say it again,) but any ideas?

Right Eye - Normal


Left eye - Hair loss








Any ideas?

[EmmaGirl]

Hi Moo, I really have no clue as to why one specific area would suddenly have hair loss. You do a wonderful job at keeping the area clean, so I doubt it has to do with an excess of teary residue. I agree that you might want to watch it for a few days and see if it progresses, gets better, or stays the same.

If you get the info as to why it may be happening, I'd love to know.

Sorry that I can't be more helpful.
EG

[Bosley Slave]

Boy Moo, that is strange. I could see if the eyes were not cleaned, but it is obvious you do a great job there. Let us know if you find out what it is that is causing this.

[weezyNollie]

Dogs sometimes get an overgrowth of a normal parasite. All animals (including humans) have demodex in their hair, especially around eyes. Sometimes when there is a higher population it can cause hair loss. I know, you're thinking demodectic mange is usually all over, but there can be localized areas too.

I did some brief searches, and there are photos much worse than Kirby's. If it worsens, I'd go to a vet for skin scraping and then can confirm it or not. Sometimes it resolves on its own if its not a bad case.

[Moo]

Originally Posted by weezyNollie

Dogs sometimes get an overgrowth of a normal parasite. All animals (including humans) have demodex in their hair, especially around eyes. Sometimes when there is a higher population it can cause hair loss. I know, you're thinking demodectic mange is usually all over, but there can be localized areas too.

I did some brief searches, and there are photos much worse than Kirby's. If it worsens, I'd go to a vet for skin scraping and then can confirm it or not. Sometimes it resolves on its own if its not a bad case.

Hmmm... Thanks Weezy, I'll have to keep any eye out for... according to the following article- his lips, and legs. So far it's only one eye too- and only on the bottom, not all around, which appears a little odd.

A possibility, he is 46 months old though.

http://www.barkbytes.com/medical/med0019.htm

Demodectic mange is the result of Demodex canis, a microscopic mite multiplying out of control. Most dogs have demodex mites on their skin in small numbers. These mites are acquired by puppies shortly after birth, from their mother.
The causative factors as to why some dogs develope demodectic mange while other dogs do not is not fully understood. The tendancy to be suseptible to demodectic mange appears to be hereditary. It is known that dogs with demodectic mange have an immune system defect. It is this defect that appears to be inherited, making the pup unable to keep the demodex mites under control. Demodectic mange occurs in one of two forms. The first form is the localized form. This form most often appears in dogs under 1 year of age. The first sign is a thinning of hair around the eyelids, the lips, the corners of the mouth and the front legs. The dog has a moth-eaten appearance. The patches of hair loss can progress into circles of approximately one inch in diameter (occasionally confused with ringworm). Mite removal/reduction normally consists of cleansing shampoos, antibiotic therapy, and immune stimulants. Not all young animals that experience demodicosis are immunologically impaired for life. A significant percentage will "self cure" as their immune system matures. This maturity normally takes place between the ages of 8 months and 3 years, depending on the breed of dog.
During treatment it is critical that the dog is making continuous improvement. If the animal has 5 or more patches, or is not showing a marked improvement; the demodex could be progressing into the generalized form. The generalized form is the second presentation type of this condition. Generalized demodex can begin as a localized case or can present itself as a sudden onset. Numerous patches appear on the head, legs, and trunk. These patches continuously spread developing into large areas of hair loss. The hair follicles become congested with debris and mites. The breakdown of the skin leads to the formation of sores, with crusting and draining sinus tracts. Treatment of dogs experiencing generalized demodex can be very prolonged. The reponse to treatment is slow and often requires frequent changes in the medication. In spite of the number of mite removal dips, topical ointments and antibiotics availale a cure is not always possible. Generalized demodectic mange must be treated under veterinary supervision. Older dogs that develop demodectic mange (in either form) should be screened for underlying causative factors in immune system dysfunction. Diseases such as diabetes, cancer or Cushing's disease can all impact therapy.

[Heart_Song]

Originally Posted by Moo

It's kind of come out in a triangle shape.

Hard to say. But I just have to ask, what is it with your dog and triangle?? lol. You didn't trick him into eating something triangle shaped did you?

[Moo]

Originally Posted by Heart_Song

Hard to say. But I just have to ask, what is it with your dog and triangle?? lol. You didn't trick him into eating something triangle shaped did you?

lol, he outgrew that! He discovered that there are round kibbles that taste much less exciting.

I also stopped mashing the kibble eventually, so he never really started paying full attention to the shape of them.

I'll take more pictures if there is any change in the next few days.

[Moo]

Here are day 2 pictures... It was raining out today, so the light coming in the window is... non existent. The light supporting these photos is artificial- I know, I know, ugly, ugly.

I think they look the same, although I've looked at my dog's eye so much in the last day, my imagination could be talking when it comes to a comparison. After examining him for a while, it started to look like the hair was thinning on the upper eyelid too, but I think that's just what he looks like. lol Anybody see a difference? Does it look better? Worse? Or exactly the same, which is good...

I have checked his paws, legs, nose, and muzzle thoroughly, no signs of anything coming out around there.

Day 2- Right eye


Day 2- Left eye