Moe is a kissable Pit Bull that comes to see us once a month for a bath. He's a very good boy but suffers from skin allergy problems. During his last visit, his owner came in and told us he was having some allergy-related hair loss on his tail. We popped him into the tub and got about the business of washing him, and sure enough, there was a bald patch about two inches long on the top of Moe's waggy, waggy tail. His owner was right about the hair loss, but her understanding of the cause was slightly off.
Most groomers have experienced finding a spot of thinning hair, or even total hair loss on the top of dogs' tails, a little way down from where the tail joins the body. The common term for this condition is "stud tail." The medical term is tail gland hyperplasia.
There are oil-producing glands called supracaudal glands located on this portion of the tail.These glands are used for scent marking and produce oils that help waterproof the dog's coat. If these glands become enlarged, they put pressure on the hair follicles, causing hair loss. The fur around the area may look and feel oily, and the skin may be darker than the surrounding skin.
The cause of this disorder is not fully understood. One theory is that it is caused by the overproduction of androgen sex hormones, including testosterone. Interestingly, the condition can affect female dogs, and spayed/castrated dogs can also show symptoms. Some other medical conditions can cause hair loss in this area. If you notice it on a dog you are grooming, it should be mentioned to the owner so they can discuss it with their veterinarian.
If left untreated, the condition may worsen. The skin may thicken, blackheads (comedones) may appear, and the dog may be uncomfortable and begin chewing, licking, or rubbing the area, causing further damage to the skin. This can lead to infections that may require topical or oral antibiotics.
As groomers, we can make the fur around the area look better by using a degreasing shampoo. However, take care not to rub, scrub, or brush the area any more than necessary, as doing so can cause the glands to secrete more oils. Following the shampoo with a light conditioner will help soothe the skin.
Understanding and recognizing the symptoms of tail gland hyperplasia will help you know how to help the dog cosmetically and recommend veterinary care to the pet's owner.
