| Seasonal alopecia or cyclic follicular dysplasia is the | | | | outdoors and there is less sunlight. Many dogs start |
| condition where a dog starts losing hair on the flanks | | | | exhibiting the condition in the early spring as a result |
| and on the back. The skin becomes darker at the | | | | of this. Some suggest treatment with melatonin to |
| places where the hair loss is present and the hair | | | | speed up the regrowth of hair. However, no proof |
| becomes somewhat coarse and dry. The condition | | | | exists that melatonin is in fact responsible for the hair |
| usually starts in the late fall or the early spring. | | | | regrowth. Breeds that are more susceptible to this |
| It lasts for up to 6 months and the hair usually | | | | condition than others are: Affenpinscher, Airedale |
| regrows after that. Seasonal alopecia can keep | | | | Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog, Staffordshire Terrier, and |
| occurring in the future (possibly every year), or it can | | | | Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. |
| occur only once and never show up again. Dogs that | | | | Note: Before concluding that your dog has seasonal |
| are affected by this condition are usually 2 to 4 | | | | alopecia, make sure that the veterinarian rules out |
| years of age. | | | | thyroid disease which has similar symptoms. To check |
| There is no proven reason for why this condition | | | | for this, a blood test needs to be performed. Also, |
| occurs, but some believe that lack of sunlight might | | | | the veterinarian may want to take a small skin |
| play a role. The reasoning behind this is that during | | | | sample to test for parasites and mites and certain |
| the long and cold winters, dogs spend less time | | | | bacteria. |