Today we’re going to discuss Alopecia in Pomeranians. I’m happy to have Peach the Pomeranian and her “Pommy Mommy” Lauren to be our guest blogger! Alopecia (AKA Black Skin Disease) in Pomeranians is a very “hot topic” among Pomeranian owners. She will tell us all about how she first started to notice the warning signs of Alopecia in Peach. Lauren also shares what her Vet’s advice was and more facts about Alopecia in Pomeranians for us as Pommy Mommies to have a better understanding of this unique disease.
During this past year I had noticed that Peach’s usually lion like coat had been thinning around her shoulders, back, and hind legs. Seasonal shedding I thought nothing of it. Eventually I began to see large amounts of fur fall out during brushing while darker wiry hair grew in it place. I wasn’t sure what was wrong with her, but it was unsettling. Her usually glossy lion-like coat was becoming dull, lifeless, and thin. Yet, she didn’t show any strange behavior or discomfort. I beginning to panic, my sister who loves reality television jokingly said ‘wouldn’t it be funny if you dog was bald like the one on Real Housewives.’ Then it clicked. I sat up that night doing as much research as possible to see if there was something causing her to go bald, and there was… Alopecia in Pomeranians
Before I go on and create any panic or anxiety in any Pommy Mommy’s reading this let me explain that there are several reasons a dog could be losing their hair. Don’t immediately jump to conclusions that your dog has Alopecia X or Black Skin disease. Things such as allergies, seasonal weather change, dry skin, over brushing, poor diet, age (puppy uglies and elder dogs), and skin irritants (such as doggie perfumes and some shampoos) can cause hair loss! I attempted a sensitive skin regime for Peach and usually a change like this can reverse whatever damage had been done, but not with Peach… Alopecia in Pomeranians
I eventually felt the need to bring Peach to the vets office to find out what was going on with my sweet girl.
Puppy Peach
Once there Dr. Porter examined Peach and told me he could see she had Alopecia X also known as Black Skin Disease, due to her darkening skin and fur loss. He wanted to take a blood sample and skin culture to make sure though. Eventually the tests came back positive and I was heart broken, mostly because I didn’t understand. Finding information online on dog hair loss is easy but a lot of it can be frustrating different sites say different things. Here is a short explanation of I have created with the help of my vet to better explain and help deal with Alopecia X.
The Symptoms of Alopecia in Pomeranians:
– Occurs in adolescence to early adulthood, usually by four years of age, although signs may appear at any time.
– Gradual loss of color and lushness of the coat.
– Gradual and symmetrical loss of outer coat, usually ranging from shoulders to hind legs.
– Increasingly dry, “cottony” undercoat
– Symmetrical baldness
– Hyper-pigmentation (darkening) of the skin
Understanding Your Dogs Condition:
– Alopecia X does not cause any pain, if your dog is in pain immediately contact your Vet.
– Understand that these changes don’t occur over night. Its a gradual slow change which may not be noticed at first
– Alopecia X can SOMETIMES be reversed. There is not absolute cure and every dog is different.
Coping with and possibly reversing hair loss
– Change their diet! Good fats promote hair growth and healthy skin. Look for foods with potatoes, lamb, omega-3, omega-6. Ask your local pet store to show you skin and coat foods available.
–Try adding skin supplements! Skin supplements like Pommy Mommy Naturals SkinPRO™ Pack is specially formulated with your Pomeranian’s skin in mind.
NOTE: If you find that these are a bit out of your price range try using a low milligram fish oil pill from the grocery store. The ratio is 20mg per pound. Giving your dog too much can cause loose stool so be aware of the amount you are giving them try a little lower dose if you are unsure.
– Spay/Neuter your Pom! Hormonal imbalance may be causing your pets fur to fall out. Spaying/neutering may reverse the effects of Alopecia X in its early stages or halt any further fur loss.
– Try Oral Melatonin! Oral melatonin is used as a sleep aid for most people, but for dogs it can help stimulate hair growth.
– Change your grooming routine! Over brushing and bathing can cause damage to the hair follicles. Try easing your brushing routines with a softer brush or the amount of time you brush them. Try switching to a sensitive skin, oatmeal base, or sensitive de-shedding shampoo followed by a light conditioner. These will bring the moisture back into the skin and coat and bring the color and lushness back.
Peach is slowly beginning to regrow hair, she’s not as fluffy as she once was but hopefully one day she will be little lion again. Alopecia in Pomeranians
Remember these things take time, patience is key, and always check with your vet before starting any new diet or routines.
49 comments
I think allergy testing should be done also, because when you change the Pom’s diet you don’t want to be changing to a food that they are allergic to or have a sensitivity to. Now they have testing kits you can order yourself & collect the samples at home & send back in…can save a little money. Will also tell you if the dog is deficient in vitamins & minerals, and any environmental allergens that you can possibly avoid or eliminate…my little Pom boy has this problem, and I want to do EVERYTHING I can to reverse it!! He had SUCH a GORGEOUS, thick, luxurious coat – it was so heartbreaking watching it all fall out. 🙁
Hi Lisa! Can you please give me the info on the allergy testing kits? I have 2 Poms and a Sheltie. The Sheltie has hot spots and hair loss and is constantly licking his paws. I want to make him more comfortable. He is going to be 12 years old this month. Thank you!!!
Contact Glacier Peaks Holistic for the allergy kits. http://www.glacierpeakholistics.com/
I too would love to know which allergy test kit you used. My 12-year-old Brutus has had BSD for years. Thanks!
Thanks for all the info! My Tulip is 6 years old and I would be devastated if she lost her fluffy black coat! Simplified info like this is SO MUCH EASIER to understand and find than researching tons of websites. Hope Peach returns to her lioness fluffiness SOON!
Cooper was diagnosed with Alopecia X,last year, by his Vet. Melatonin was recommended along with supplements for his food. His fur grew back and his skin was no longer dark/black. His fur started thinning again this year (not as badly)which indicates, to me, that it is a seasonal thing. After his diagnosis I also changed his diet to gluten free, which seems to have helped as well.
i hav a question bout my lil guy.. he itches n at times he literally pulls his hair out n he gets on the table chair under the table n scratches against the table,, he has done that that it looks like he has a buzz cut on back at base of tail.. the vet told me 2 put him on all brown food n i hav done that ,, it seemed 2 hav worked but now he is back 2 the scratchin n stuff.. so i was wondering if u had any ideas that i cud do or try.. i have used the fish oil as well b4 i switched his food n awhile afterwards. plz help n tyvm
My Pom does the same thing. She rubs her backside on the dining room chairs and she scratches all nite sometimes. What is a all brown foods diet?
I just found your website and think it’s great 🙂 I have a Pom and actually wrote an article for my work about his BSD. If anyone is interested here is Frodo’s story 🙂
http://www.tigertailfoods.com/health-matters-nov-10.php
Thanks for sharing Lindsey, at least I know I’m on the right track. My story is almost the same with my little man Kaleb (4 yr old pom), only backward, we started by going to the hollistic clinic and getting bu gan tang. I wasn’t that satisfied with the results and took him off but maybe I should have stuck with it. He was probably on it close to a year, in the winter his coat was pretty good but come spring he is lacking again. It appears to be seasonal which ive read. He’s also on coconut oil, tumeric and of course a raw diet. Anyway, thanks, good to know I’m doing the right thing.
Shots might seem like an unusual way to treat allergies, but they’re effective at decreasing sensitivity to triggers. The substances in the shots are chosen according to the allergens identified from a person’s medical history and by the allergist during the initial testing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the standards used in preparing the materials for allergy shots given in the United States.
Jerry, my 8 yr old pom, was recently diagnosed with alopecia X. He has had the disease about 3 yrs now and has lost all his hair. He only has hair on the top of his head and on his legs. Even though he looks silly (my friends call him my zombie dog!), we love him all the same. I recently learned about melatonin from a cousin and we will be starting his treatment this week. Crossing my fingers that he gets even just a little fuzz back. Poor thing needs something to help keep him warm over the cold Wisconsin winters.
Hi Lauren, I’m glad Peach is doing well now and it was interesting to read your story….I’m a pommy mommy to a male who is 8 years old and I started doing my research on BSD since a week ago I noticed the skin by his genitals starting to speckle in black. He’s been itchy for quite some time but he’s on flee medication so I thought the itching was due to that. Until I read maybe it was a symptom of BSD. Since a week ago the black colouring has increased and I am becoming worried. He hasn’t experience hair loss and I don’t over brush or over bathe him but I’m curious if Peach had any of these sypmtoms?
Thank you for sharing this information . Kong started to turn darker before I noticed the hair fall . My handsome boy was just giving me the idea that the weather was hot and he was normal shedding . (Long story short)Starting in May We went on a 10 day holiday,Kong went to a host.. A couple days later,after we all got back home Kong started to throw up sometimes ( not the whole meal )was sleeping most of the time,after a few more days he refused food that was when I took him to the vet . Blood test showed his blood had parasites due tick bite ! His liver was functioning bad ! But we got the right meds (vibra- vet) and liver supplements . The one month meds were almost fatal kong trew up again but liver was functioning was almost back to normal but Kong got ARF acute renal failure ! We got renal diet food Kong was in stage two but needed no infuse if he just kept drinking water it would be fine ! Now 10 later he is much better kidneys and liver are almost to normal , but Kong has patella problems and will need surgery in the future so no more stairs ! Now to the point ,he is loosing so much fur and his skin is turning into purple color and that hurts us all so much he now has started taking omega 3and 6 supplements and another brand food Royal cannin! I hope this will be better for him ! We only got a limited blood test for Kong more specific ones are not available in HatYai we have to go to BAngkok , I will try all your tips and I know I have to get Kong fixed ! Update you later about that , thanks again !Love from Lie Kong and Suay
Really appreciated this down to earth info! I adopted my baby with some hair loss and was told he was recovering from mange. Turns out he actually has alopecia x and has lost a lot more hair since then. I’ve had him a a good diet with omega 3 supplements for months but we just started the melatonin, so comforting to know it is working for someone else! Here’s hoping little Spartacus won’t be bald from the shoulders down forever 🙂
My Pom developed Alopecia X when she was 9. I trimmed her hair in the summer and it just didn’t grow back properly and her skin darkened. When I realized what was going on, I took her to a Dermatologist vet. He did allergy testing and a skin biopsy. Nothing was found so he concluded it was alopecia X. He said I could try melatonin and see what happens. I gave her 3mg everyday for 4 months and nothing. Two weeks later, I noticed her fur thickening. It kept growing and holy cow…it grew out to be the most fabulous coat…better than she had before!! She was beautiful!
A couple of years later I gave her a summer cut again and melatonin helped again…but then I realized that although it probably did help, I think just making sure all the undercoat is good and brushed out helped also. She had her thick coat back again.
Thank you so much for writing this story. I have my Pomeranian’s groomed every six weeks to make sure the under coat is professionally groomed out. It is very hard for me and my husband to do it as well as my groomer can. Again, thank you for bringing this to our attention.
hello, vickie.
could you tell me which brand of melatonin gave his pomi? … and how many times a day? .. thanks
Thanks for the article. I was looking for advice on treating Alopecia X for my pomeranian, Opi, when I found your article. It caught my eye because I had a pomeranian for 14 years who was also named Peach! She was a sweetheart and I still miss her a few years after losing her. It’s a great name for those little guys 🙂
Thanks again! I’m gonna give your tips a try.
Our little Pom, Chewy Bear, started losing his hair a couple of years ago. Just read on Petpom.com that one should NEVER give a Pom a Lion Cut (which my daughter had done) because it can destroy the undercoat and cause permanent hair loss!) Local vet said it was something that just happened to Poms. We took him to a holistic vet who did blood tests. His thyroid was low. Vet put him on Standard Process Canine Dermal Support, Canine Whole Body Support (1/8 tsp twice a day each), Cataplex F, and Thytrophin (1 tablet each twice a day), 1/4 tsp twice a day of Eskimo brand fish oil, and a raw food diet. (He was about 10 pounds.) We were to feed him raw turkey necks for bones and teeth.
Over a year later, the hair loss was still gradually expanding. He was put on a low dose thyroid medication and melatonin(3 mg., any brand, given with evening meal).
About 6 months ago Chewy started losing weight, down to 8 pounds and his ribs were showing. Vet said to increase his raw food portions. I had read just prior about a vet who specializes in saving birds, and her “secret” was to feed them a slurry of spirulina to get them the nutrition needed so they could heal. I was aware spirulina and wheat grass could help a woman stop hair loss, so I started giving him a couple of tablets in his food.
At first I had to crush them, but then he started eating them whole. I worked up to 4 tablets twice a day, usually giving them to him while I was preparing his other food with the supplements.
He has stopped losing hair, has some fuzzy hair on his sides, and most of his black skin is showing pink underneath! A few areas have now returned to pink skin.
His neck skin is sensitive and his collar is irritating it, but he is slowly growing back hair after going bald for almost 3 years. I have been rubbing his bare areas with liquid coconut oil to keep his skin moisturized. He likes it, literally – licks it off where he can reach.
I was looking online for a source for a soft, preferably round, collar when I found this site. All the nylon ones seem to have rough areas where they join the ends.
If your little dog is losing his/her fur, try feeding some spirulina. It is full of nutrients and protein and cannot harm them. It is definitely helping our baby. I am using Hawaiian spirulina, but I think any brand you can get at your health food store would be OK.
Blue-green algae or wheat grass might also work. Wheat grass can restore hair color in women after it turns white or grey.
I so appreciate you sharing. I am definitely going to try these things with my 11 yr old white pom. His hair loss has been over the last year and a half and is pretty bad. I can’t afford all the testing etc but his black spots and hair loss just as you describe. Thank you so much!
Sharon
To all who have a pom with alopecia I know it can be tough to find the cure. My wife and I tried everything with our pom, vets, shots, blood tests, melatonin, different shampoos etc and nothing was working until one day a few months ago I was giving my boy pom his usual bath but instead I decided to use a new dish sponge ( the blue one that is a sponge on one side and is slightly rough on the other for scrubbing)… Well, after about 2 weeks or so I noticed his hair started to grow in. Where his skin was once blochy and black was now pink and normal with hair coming in. Every 3-4 weeks I would scrub him down with the sponge (lightly) and week by week its been getting better and better. Well I can honestly say his gorgeous thick coat is back and better than ever. I can’t believe that after 8 years of trying everything possible, a sponge “exfoliation” bath cured it.
I really hope my story here can help whoever is dealing with their dogs alopecia. This worked for my dog and I really hope it can be duplicated on others so we can finally put an end to listening to what vets have to say feeding our dogs melatonin and god knows what else when it doesn’t even work.
Let me know how it goes !
That is awesome! Great info.
Hey, by any chance did your sponge have dish washing detergent on it?? I have been reading many sites and some advise using mild dish washing liquid during baths and it is supposed to help. My poor little 5 month old cream pom just got diagnosed with BSD and I am desperate for anything and I will try the sponge with his next bath! Thank you for your advice!
Hi Faith,
No, I don’t use dish washing liquid, just regular dog shampoo or even human shampoo and conditioner. The sponge definitely did the trick for me, now that I’ve been using it every time I bathe him, months later he’s got his thick coat back. I really hope this works for you and everyone else out there reading this. Try to get the blue sponge with one side having a rough surface sort of like a light sandpaper, don’t get the green one that looks like a brillo pad on one side.
Thanks to all for this great article and replies! A couple of weeks ago, an old pitiful little blind Pom was apparently dumped near our house. (I do cat rescue and have two rescue poodles, so possibly he was dropped near me on purpose.) My neighbor found him nearly drowning in their swimming pool. He got through their fence and must have fallen in. Not knowing what else to do with him, they brought him wrapped in a towel to my front door. He has bad cataracts, horrible teeth and missing his hair from shoulders to tail, as many of you have described. His face was fluffy and his legs had long hair but completely matted to his skin. She suggested taking him to local animal control, but I knew what they would do with him. His skin was flakey and thick and crusty. I spent hours cutting out the mats and bathing him with medicated shampoo. I rubbed aloe lotions and Benedene medicine into his skin several times daily. Gentle brushing with a tiny slicker brush removed most of the crusted flakes. I have him on Science Diet, plus a skin supplement with omega 3 & 6. I have been giving him Lipiderm fish oil pills. He is the sweetest little boy and only wants to be cuddled. After nearly three weeks, his skin is noticeably softer, feels normal and I think I see a little bit of fuzz at least growing back. From the first research I did when I got him, I had little hope of his regrowing a normal fluffy coat. But after reading all of the comments here, I actually have some hope that my “Boo Boo Bare” as I named him, will possibly get to be a “Boo Boo Bear!” I just don’t have the financial means to have all of the testing done by a vet right now. So I am trying to help him as much as I can.
Buddy is my 6 year old black & tan Pom. He is the love of my life. Had him tested for everything,all negative. His hair is so thin , bald & black spotted skin on his hind legs & rear. I am so worried it is all going to fall out. Even the top of his head is thin. The hair on his body is so thin it parts & skin is visible. Help
What kind of food are you feeding him?
I have a 4 month old (male) Pomeranian puppy. He has weird looking hair on his back where his tail rests. He also likes to sleep on his back. Do you think this could be BSD, or the beginning of him shedding his puppy coat? Maybe the fur is just pressed down because he lays on it all the time? I’m a bit worried. 🙁
I have a pom that also has black skin disease and I also tried everything all the blood test and trying diff shampoo, melatonin, etc. I spoke with a person in Smithfield, VA she owns a pet grooming shop and she told me to try – Gelatin I put in his food in the AM and PM feeding time, she also told me to give him Epson Salt Baths I do this once a week. My Pom was bald on both sides of his stomach, tail back legs, neck, and upper back. After two weeks I noticed hair growth on both side of the stomach than the neck and upper back – his tail and back legs is taking longer. But now I look at him and cannot believe all the hair now has when he was almost bald, he still wears NFL shirts more for looks now then covering up his hair loss. I can say thank you to this lady enough for this simply cure maybe I should not say cure but I have my pom back.
I have a 11 month old black female pom. She has had a rough 6 months. First she has a muscle strain in her back and gave her a muscle relaxant then she had a abscess in her cheek, two days later she jump off my lap and broke her leg. Several times she had to be sedated my question is she doesn’t have any undercoating at all. Her hair is still short could all of these issues she had gone thru cause her to not grow her hair? Little Roxie is a sweetheart. Her brother has a full body of hair and both came from the same parents. Can you help me understand whats is possible going on? I have had several poms before and never had this issue before.
Please help
concerned mommy
Sharon Jones.
My precious 4 year old pom is slowly loosing her hair over the past year, just recently I took her to the vet and she was diagnosed with alopecia X. We started melatonin about three weeks ago and just recently I noticed she has about 20 small scabs all over her body. Under the scab it looks like mini cuts about 3mm in length. She is currently not scratching and is on flee medicine regularly. I took her to the vet, they did a skin scrape test and was negative. They stated they have not seen this in alopecia X patients. Has anyone experienced this problem?
My older pom is 11, he has just recently been dx with Alopecia X, we have been on Melatonin for about a month and a half now and his hair is still falling out. Was anybody else’s dog’s itchy?? The only hair that fell out was his under coat…very odd. So sad seeing my bald little guy.
I have a beautiful 6 year old Blue Merle Pomeranian. Since my wife and I do not have children, he plays the role, and he plays it well, lol. He is spoiled *in the good way, not destructively*, and takes advantage of it, every chance he gets. We took him everywhere with us, that dogs are allowed, and at times it became a bit of a hassle being stopped every 2 steps, because EVERYONE freaked out at how beautiful his fur is, and hardly anyone knew Pom’s could even be Blue Merle, but we still enjoyed the fact everyone loved him immediately due to his personality and very handsome looks. He was just diagnosed with Alopecia X, which has been really hard on me. I have fed him Blue Buffalo since I got him, as a puppy, so he has had great food his entire life. Something I wanted to share with you fine folks that has helped a little, is look into adding Coconut Oil to your dogs diet. It has helped quite a bit on his back! I found out about a Melotonin treatment, and I wanted to see if any of yall have had good luck with that yet? I am still searching for the “cure”, but even if we are unable to find it, he will always be my handsome, best friend.
In my childhood, my mother actually got Alopecia Areata, and it broke my heart seeing her coping with it. For a man to lose their hair, is not such a huge ordeal, but for a woman, it is devastating. Good news is, somehow, with a lot of prayer, my mothers hair grew back, albeit white, but it looks great on her regardless.
Thank you I was told potatoes are bad my baby oreo has this too going crazy trying to find a food and what to do
Pommy mommy for oreo!
Thank you
My pomeranian was a rescue dog about a year old four years ago. Was checked out by vet and received a clean bill of health. Got shots and was spaded about a year and a half to two years ago we noticed he was loosing his under coat. Took him to the vet and was started on thyroid medication. (Levothyroxin). He was on that for a while and continued to loose his coat. changed vets and new vet did lab tests (three types) very expensive. He was low on all three tests.
I have been giving him levothyroxin , melatonin and now coconut oil. He is a good nature dog and has been to the vet regularly. I feed him Blue Mountain food. I am very concerned that the coat may not come back. He was a beautiful dog when we got him. I am so sad. He doesn’t seem to be bothered with this condition. His skin is very clear. Everyone fell in love with him when we got him. He is well trained, goes outside several times a day. Plays, very alert.
I started to give him coconut oil thinking that might help. He has fur around his head and face and on all four legs. Tail is not as full as it was. I put a sweater on him when it is cool and a light weight sweater on him when the weather is warm so he doesn’t sun burn. We love him so much but pray that the coat will come back. Vets think it will come back in time but probably will not be as thick as it was. Do you have any suggestions? Need to let you know this started after we took him to the groomer and told them to give him a summer cut. I think she shaved him.
Also he licks his paws a lot. Does that mean anything? He has lost his lower front teeth. I do try to brush his teeth. His weight about 14 lbs. Eats well drinks about a cup of water a day.Bath him with dog shampoo and use conditioner (dog).
Dermatologist confirmed mine with BSD. But he is happy, pain free and healthy. Just bald headed. It bothers me none. Yes, he had an awesome coat of fur before. But it doesn’t matter because he is still my Teddy bald or not
Hi, I am a pommel mommy to three pommel babies, two 8 yr old boys and a recent addition girl 5 months. My two boys have been showing really ugly signs of hair loss from shoulders to hind, showing skin in areas around neck and side shoulders. Skin is dry and top coat along back has gone he was a gorgeous show pom, and his incredible coat looks like puppy uglies. Is there really skin and blood to determine this? He is a very poor eater and often starves himself for days on end. Please help
Sorry for the typos it’s pomeranians I have. One is not as bad but coat is ratty. How can I post their photos?
If you click my name you see them on my fb. The red boy on left is the worst
Our rescue Pom, Cooper had the beginning of Alopecia X when we adopted him 6 years ago. It gradually progressed until his hair was mostly either completely gone on the back of his legs and toward his tail, or scraggly up to about his front shoulders. His head and front legs looked fine. I’d put pajamas on him at night during the winter because of all the exposed skin. Oh, and the hair where he wore either a collar of harness also rubbed off. Although I’d heard other people mention melatonin I didn’t think much about it until our vet said she thought I should try it. So for about 1 1/2 year I gave him 3 gm per day and then increased to 5 gm a day. I didn’t see any improvement so I stopped. This summer suddenly Cooper developed hot spots, with areas of pimples and scaly skin. The vet gave me medicated shampoo and cream rinse Virbac for Sebolux shampoo and Virbac Epi-Sooth cream rinse. Each of these products had to be massaged into the skin and left on for 5 to 10 minutes–which made for a very long bath time. I kept massaging it into his skin the whole time–mostly so he wouldn’t try to escape from the sink. After a few weeks, I was stunned to see the growth of some really lush hair–starting on his back–all the way to his tail. And now I can see that he even has new hair growth on the back of his legs which were completely hairless before. After all this time suddenly there is all this new hair growth–and its really thick! I don’t know whether to attribute it to the shampoo and conditioner or the melatonin, but I do know that the hair came back right after I started with the medicated shampoo/conditioner. Oh, and at the start, I had to do the shampoo routine every two or three days to get his skin condition under control. Now I’m just doing it once a week. I have no idea if this is temporary or permanent. The new hair is long and silky–not the cottony undercoat kind.
My pommeranian has alopecia x, it started after a grooming appointment about 3 years ago. We tried the vet, melatonin and a variety of food changes and shampoos. We had someone come to the house to do some cement work for us and he saw our little Lindy and said, hey! my pom used to look like that, until the vet told us to give her hard boiled eggs! I was up for trying ANYTHIING! I gave them to her, one a day and after 2 months, didnt notice anything! but within a couple of weeks started noticing new hair growth! SO i started giving her one egg a day again! Now she has the most bautiful, fluffy coat again! The hair is soft and the dark skin has even reverted back to its original color! SHes never looked better! I definatly recommend trying it! Keep with it, it does take some time, but I hope by posting here I can help someone else! I know how discouraging it can be! My Lindy’s fur was almost completely gone all over her sides and chest and hind legs, her skin was black and her fur felt sticky, and also her skin was flaky. Now all of that is gone! Hope this helps!
I also have a pom who started experiencing hair loss a couple years ago. I was told to take him off of chicken. I started him on a raw food diet. I am using Stella & Chewy. He prefers the Lamb, but they have numerous flavors. I have been using it since July and have seen quite an improvement in his hair re growth. Now I will say that it is sporatic in spots but I have hope. I also include sweet potatoes and fresh peas in his meal. His sncks consist of apples and bananas. Like a baby! 🙂
My Pom is 15 years old and has hair on her head and legs. She started losing her hair about 2 year ago. Her skin has turned black everywhere there is no hair. I noticed that her black skin looked very dry. I bought a different kind of shampoo and conditioner that is suppose to help with dry skin. As I read below, a person said they massaged the medicated shampoo into the Pom. Well I too wanted this shampoo to do well so I massaged the dog for 10 minutes or so in the bath with the shampoo on. Two things happened. When I was ready to rinse her I noticed the bath water filled with black specs. I almost fainted. I first thought that this was fleas. I was devastated thinking my baby had fleas and I didn’t know it. Upon closer inspection I realized this was black skin. A few weeks later her second massage bath resulted in even more black skin in the water. Within a few weeks her whole body is covered in hair. Very soft silky hair. I don’t know if this was due to the massaging or the shampoo.
We were out walking and a lady stopped to talk to us. She said she use to have a Pom and he lost all of his hair due to trauma. I said goodness what had happened to him. She said the trauma was the family went on vacation for two weeks and left the dog with a friend. Being away from his family traumatized the dog and he lost all his hair.
Just before my dog lost her hair we had gone away and left her with a friend for two weeks.
It is called Furminator deShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo and Furminator deShedding Ultra Premium Conditioner.
I was going to include a picture here of my Pom but I see that is not an option. My Pom, who only had hair on her head, legs and very little on her tail is almost back to her original state of full body hair. It has now grown long again with all the tips of her hair reddish. i am afraid I would rather have a naked Pom then give her medication trying to bring it back.
I belief this has to do with poor diets. dogs shouldn’t be eating grains its not natural put you dog on a high fat meat diet no grains. my dog was eating a grain based meat substitute soaked in real meat sauce wich me and my parents were on aware of we havent completely cut out grains but we do add fat to his blue and it seems to be helping him digest better ideally we will be looking for grainless dog food in the future. But my point is he was very skirmish and aggressive before now he’s Much happier his hairs growing back and his black skin that was to the point becoming very dry and agitated becuase it was sensitive and around his legs is almost completely gone and it been about a week since we switched his food
His fur is also much thicker and softer now
My precious 2.5 years old Pom, QT is already loosing his hair over the past year, just recently the third vet told me that he is diagnosed with alopecia X. We started melatonin for about two months. I am still learning how to help him to revert this situation. Any advise is appreciated!