Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 10/31/2008

Question
I think this is a dermatology problem, and actually nobody could find a solution. I've a 1 year old male beagle, and even though he have short hair, he's always missing fur, too much fur, in summer, in winter... if I hug him, all my clothes get full of fur!! So the vet told us that we gave him some vitamins, and it helps a little, but it's not enough!! even if I do the grooming... and the baths... I can brush him like... forever, he's always missing fur!
When he was a puppy he had scabies, actually he was sick before living with us and we didn't know. But he get well, cause we really take care of him, but maybe the scabies are related to the fur problem?? I don't know, and I don't know what else to do... and I want to hug my dog!!
Thanks.

Answer
You can give him an omega 3 fatty acid dietary supplement in addition to the vitamins. You might consider changing his dog food to a hypoallergenic one from your vet for 6-8 weeks.   If that does not help in 2 months, then I wold ask the vet to do skin biopsies to see what the problem in the hair follicles seems to be.