It is not unusual to see symmetrical patterns of hair loss on the dog's body especially in areas of wear. It is important to discover the cause of these skin and coat problems as more severe systemic processes can be occurring due to hormonal imbalances. Seborrhea is a type of scaling skin disease. This condition results in dry, scaly, greasy or malodorous skin. The specific cause must be determined before treatment can begin.
Symptomatic therapy includes the use of anti-seborrheic shampoos.
Acral lick dermatitis or lick granuloma is a condition in which the dog chronically licks an area out of boredom or stress or as an initial response to an irritant on the skin. It results in hair loss and possibly ulceration of the skin leading to a secondary bacterial infection. The licking can sometimes be described as a mental condition similar to obsessive compulsive disorder. It is necessary to interrupt the chronic licking in order to give the acral lick dermatitis a chance to heal. This can be quite challenging.