[LuBear]

So my dog of 10 months has a strange skin ailment that is very worrying. On the very tip of her tail, I found a white patch where hair was missing. I thought at first she may have chewed it or something unconcerning so I left it as is. Than it got a bit bigger and the hair isn't growing back. The skin where the hair should be is white and very smooth. It looks like there may be some hair folicules still there.
I have a book filled with information about dogs and their maladies, my book has scared me greatly. I haven't gone to a vet yet but from what I read it could potentially be mange.
This specific dog hasn't been in contact with other dogs really other than the two I have at home ( I live in Canada and it's been a wee bit too cold for me to bring these short haired puppies out for too long!) so how could she have gotten Mange?! Also, she doesn't have any other hair loss, specifically not in the area MAnge generally targets. Please please please, I will do anything to help my little girl, anything. But I'm scared I'll have to put her to sleep eventually and I can't even use words to descirbe the heart break I'm feeling just thinking about it.

Please, is there ANYTHING else that it could be?! Ask me any questions about her, I need to make her okay.

[Deafdogsrule]

Firstly, I dont think it's Mange, but if it is, dont panic, It's curable.

There are 2 types of Mange: Demodex and Scarcoptic. Demodex is carried by almost all dogs, and it's not contageous. It's a lowered immune system that causes the mites to be able to take over. Usually boosting the immune system will get rid of the mites (we've cured hundreds of puppies that had demodex)

Scarcoptic is even easier. it's nasty itchy (I should know, I've caught it from puppies... uggh, it's itchy!) It's highly contageous, but a little medication, and you're dog is as good as new.

BUT I dont know what's wrong with your dog. it does not sound like mange to me. is the tail sensitive in any way? Could it have possibly been broken at any point? Does your puppy chew at it or otherwise bug it?

I'd get an appt at the vet as soon as possible, if I were you.

Keep us posted!

[CorkyMax]

I gather that your dog is a female American Pitbull Terrier or at least some 'relative'. I have been checking for things to do with this breed----The bloodlines of your dog goes back to the bull dog. A bull dog can have a problem with zinc deficiency (as well as some other breeds). Zinc deficiencies cause skin problems. And I did note somewhere the mention of the tip of the tail being one place hair could be lost because of the zinc deficiency.
If this could be the problem----You will need to study/talk to a vet that is 'up' on vitamins/minerals----And be forwarned--You will prob. have a hard time finding one unless your vet is a holistic vet. Do not try supplementing with zinc on your own unless you know what you are doing---as too much of one thing can cause an imbalance in other supplements. I am giving a few links here for you to read (carefully/thoroughly) Zinc Deficiency Can Lead To Skin Disorders In Northern Breeds

Bull Terrier Information and Pictures, Miniature Bull Terrier. Bullterrier

Small animal dermatology - Google Books

Veterinary pathology - Google Books


The above is FYI and is something to be aware of----I am also wondering if your dog caught it's tail in a door, etc. Some questions---How long ago did this start? Hair loss anywhere else beginning? What do you feed your puppy? (brand) Is there zinc listed in the ingredients!?
Does your puppy have any other changes in habits since this began? Does she scratch/itch? Appear healthy otherwise? What does she weigh?

I don't think it is mange either or she would be scratching and losing more hair. Only one disease comes to mind from what I have read--Hypothyroidism--and I even doubt that will be it!---Would be a lot more hair loss. It really does seem like something just happened to damage the tail all by itself.

B50 complex (ratio of B vitamins in one pill) is good for the skin too.
Do more studying on these things (Put in browser)--
dogs zinc deficiency
Zinc deficiency symptoms
dogs hair loss
May even try -- tip of dog's tail hair loss---You get the idea.

Keep us posted on things!

[lange]

I don't think it's mange either. Have you been to the vet yet? What did they say?