Hi everyone,
New member here. I'm at my wit's end trying to figure out what's wrong with my dog and hoping some experienced Britt owners might be able to help!
We adopted Bentley in June when he was a little under a year old. His coat was pretty typical for a Britt, despite a little bit of shagginess and sun bleaching on his back (we were told his previous owners left him outside all the time). His coat stayed that way throughout the summer, but then in late September his hair started thinning and it has been progressing over the past 3 months. We live in New Hampshire, and it is just about winter now. If he had a thick coat in the winter and then it thinned in the spring, I might think it was normal -- but this is the opposite!
It started on the underside of his neck, which is now totally bald. I thought this might be from his collar rubbing, so replaced it with a super soft soy collar, but it didn't make a difference. He does wear a collar with metal contacts for the invisible fence when he is out in the yard, but never for more than a couple hours a day. He next started thinning on his chest, near where his harness strap goes across. Again, I suspected friction from rubbing, but he doesn't wear the harness all that much. Now it has progressed to where the hair is very thin/bald on his entire underside and lower legs, as well as thinning at his temples, and now it is happening on his sides as well. I can see the skin all those places, especially when he's wet.
The hair loss is his only symptom. The skin looks healthy, and doesn't seem to itch or bother him. Tests for mites were negative. The vet suspects an allergy, but I am skeptical because it seems like allergies cause hair loss because the dog scratches, which isn't the issue here. Rather, it seems to be falling out or not re-growing. Since the hair loss in symmetrical, I would suspect a hormonal condition, but it doesn't seem like he fits the description of any of those conditions, which seem to affect older dogs, female dogs, or intact males (he is neutered). He also is super energetic, hasn't changed his weight (he's been a slim 35 pounds since we got him), and seems completely normal and healthy otherwise. He eats Purina Pro Plan (Savor) Chicken and Rice.
Does anyone have experience with something like this??
Thanks for any thoughts!