HELP!!! My rat terrier is losing his hair on his legs and belly.?

I own a rat terrier. This is not even close to normal. I'd absolutely change vets.

1. Try looking for a holistic vet. They tend to focus more on diet, behavior issues rather than just a blood test or fecal sample. Because the problem here may not be fleas or a parasite. It could be nerves/stress, it could be diet, it could be allergies. And most of that won't show up on the standard bloodwork that most vets run.

2. Look at the food you're feeding your rattie. Make sure you have a food with no wheat or corn (including corn meal). Go to www.dogfoodanalysis.com and get a 5 or 6 star-rated food (something like Solid Gold, Innova Evo, California Natural, Solid Gold, Canidae). Food allergies lead to dryer skin, more itching and thus bald spots or hair loss.

3. Bitter Apple is not a good option. For starters, it's alcohol based. So if it dries out skin (which promotes itching which makes the problem worse). Additionally, it's designed to prevent dogs from chewing on things. But it also smells bad to a dog (though the taste is the thing). So if there is a stress component to this issue (and I bet there is), the Bitter Apple makes it worse. Let me give you a comparison: imagine you had a health problem and your doctor prescribed an ointment that smelled like human excrement. The smell would probably rob you of sleep, you'd be miserable. So please don't use the bitter apple. It's designed to keep dogs away from stuff they shouldn't chew--but your dog can't run away from his skin.

4. As I mentioned above, I think there is a stress component to this issue. I'm not saying it's being caused by stress, only that stress is figuring into this somehow. Dogs who have been abused or suffered an earlier traumatic experience often have neurotic behavior or display some stress disorders. And it's therefore common to see compulsive behavior, fear, hair loss, excessive itching to the point of raw spots, submissive behavior or urination (or lashing out at particular groups: men wearing hats, specific types of dogs, etc.). A holistic vet is more likely to be able to help you because that kind of vet will be open to issues that contribute to the physical and emotional health of the dog.

1

Rat Hair Terrier

I think you should see an other vet, that one is crazy okay ! This could be nerves, allergy or a parasite as well, not all vets are good ones. Most of the time it is an allergy so start by changing the dog food you are feeding. It should be a good food such as Nutro Ultra or I use Solid Gold, don`t expect it too change right away and slowly change the food . Sudden dog food change can cause stomach and poop problems, but most of all see a new vet first.

A little hair loss is normal, but a bald patch could be ringworm. Is the skin scaly or does he itch it a lot? That could be ringworm then. If the skin is still healthy, it's probably just from age or possibly over-grooming and is nothing to worry about. It may have been an ear infection and not a stroke. That can leave a rat with a permanent head tilt. Rats don't get scurvy like guinea pigs, because their body produces vitamin C.

Take him to the vet and see if the dr will prescribe him Pyoben shampoo. My dog is on it for hot spots. It is about 20 bucks a bottle, however.

Try a different food with linoleic acid, omega 3/6 fatty acid supplements, and no by products.

The hair is not just a part of your body and it is a symbol of beauty, status and health. It is important for you to take proper care of your health in order to prevent early hair loss. Learn here https://bitly.im/aOlmF It is not a very serious problem and with a little bit of caution you will be able to prevent further hair loss. There are certain uncontrollable factors like pregnancy conditions or certain illness or genetic factors that will result in hair loss. But, this does not mean that you cannot do something about your hair loss.

Your dog may be having allergies. Try a dog food that does not contain wheat or corn...here is a link .........Read this for information on what is good for your dog and what is not. I use lamb and rice dog food.....

P.S. My first dog was the same way. I bought medicated shampoo for her and also used special oil on her food to help her with her coat. You can buy this at a local pet store.

Well did you change anything in his food... Just dont put anymore of that bitter apple it will just burn it more if there are open woons..... Give him a bath and just make sure you are around him alot. It could be a seperation anziaty..

Doesn't sound normal to me, I have a Rat terrier too and if that was happening to him I wouldn't take that Vets answer...my advice to you is to change Vets, yours doesn't sound too caring.