Hair loss around mouth?

[saidahk]

My dog has hair loss around his mouth, in the right side at the end of his mouth towards his molars. What can cause this? The spot is getting bigger everyday and it seems to be getting black flaky dry pieces where the hair used to be.

I have uploaded a picture.

I'm currently away at college and my parents are taking care of my dog, they are not willing to take him to the vet, is this urgent and should I take a couple days off from school to get him to a vet ASAP? Thanks!

His diet consists of Blue Buffalo dry/wet mix..

Any other questions please let me know thank you.

[Elyse]

Here's a list of what I found that can cause hair loss.

• 
  
  
• Acanthosis nigrans: Mainly in Dachshunds. Hair loss begins in armpit folds and on ears. Black, thick, greasy, rancid-smelling skin.
  
  
• Color mutant alopecia (blue Doberman syndrome):Loss of hair over the body, giving a moth-eaten look. Papules and pustules may appear in areas of hair loss. Also affects other breeds.
  
  
• Demodectic mange: Localized-Occursin puppies. Hair loss around eyelids, lips, and corners of mouth, occasionally on the legs or trunk, giving a moth-eaten look. Fewer than five patches, up to 1 inch (25 mm) in diameter. Generalized-Numerous patches that enlarge and coalesce. Severe skin problem complicated by pyoderma. Primarily affects young adults. Generalized form is associated with immune deficiencies.
  
  
• Nasal solar dermatitis (Collie nose):Loss of hair at junction of nose and muzzle. Can lead to severe ulceration. Affects dogs with lightly pigmented noses. May be part of an autoimmune problem.
  
  
• Pressure sore (Callus):Gray, hairless, thickened pad of wrinkled skin, usually over elbows but may involve other pressure points. Caused by lying on hard surfaces. Mostly seen in large and giant breeds.
  
  
• Ringworm: A fungal infection. Scaly, crusty circular patches 1â„2 to 2 inches (12 to 50 mm) across. Patches show central hair loss with a red ring at the periphery. Some cases show widespread involvement.
  
  
• Sebaceous adenitis: Seen mainly in Standard Poodles, but does occur in other breeds, including Akitas. Symmetrical loss of hair over face, head, neck, and back. Dandrufflike scales and hair follicle infection can develop.
  
  
• Seborrhea: Dry type-Similar to heavy dandruff. Greasy type-Yellow-brown greasy scales that adhere to hair shafts; rancid odor. May occur secondary to other skin problems.
  
  
• Vitiligo: Some hair loss, but mostly pigment loss that causes hair to change color. Mostly seen on the face and head. Seen most often in Rottweilers and Belgian Tervuren.
  
  
• Zinc-responsive dermatosis: Crusty, scaly skin with hair loss over the face, nose, elbows, and hocks. Cracked feet. Caused by zinc deficiency. Arctic or Northern breeds are most susceptible.
  
  

Source: http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/hair-loss-in-dogs-causes-diseases

The bolded ZRD is most common in arctic breeds, which is why I bolded it! I'd get your vet to do a skin scraping or a skin sample to see what it is.

More info on ZRD: http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Medicine/Canine-zinc-responsive-dermatosis/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/162405

[aronoiiel]

I originally thought Kiana's hair loss on her muzzle was ZRD related so I started adding Kelp into her diet and it's helped a lot. If the skin scrapings don't give you an answer try doing that