Fur issues

[marygay]

My Fuji, a 3 year old pomeranian from an amish puppy mill...is losing his fur around his neck, almost like a collar, but he wears a harness and has never worn a collar. I asked a couple of vets about it and they said it was mysterious and one said I could biopsy it to see if it was fungal. However, I hate to put him to sleep to biopsy it when he seems like such a healthy happy little creature in every other way. Any suggestions? I have had many pomeranians and have never had such hair loss in a collar pattern. Has anyone else ever heard of such a thing?

[Karen]

Is there no way he can check, do a skin scraping or something without having to anaesthetize him? I'd check with a second vet.

[Freedom]

Does he scratch the area at all?

I agree with Karen, a skin scraping can tell a LOT, and does not require anesthesia.

[IRescue452]

I know poms are prone to alopecia and thyroid issues as well as numerous other medical issues that can show through patchy fur loss. Even mange and ringworm can cause weird patch loss patterns and some of these issues are contagious. Please do not wait to get your dog diagnosed. Just because he looks happy and playful now does not mean he's going to be in the near future if his organs aren't working right.