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Hair Loss in Dogs (Canine Alopecia)
Hair Loss in Dogs (Canine Alopecia)--An Overview
- "Alopecia" is the medical term for hair loss
- Hair loss is a common disorder in dogs
- Characterized by a complete or partial lack of hair in areas where it is present normally
- Pattern of hair loss--varied or symmetrical
- May be the primary problem or be secondary to an underlying cause
- May be associated with a single cause or multiple causes
Signalment/Description of Pet
- May be sudden (acute) in onset or slowly progressive
- Multiple patches of circular hair loss (alopecia)—most frequently associated with inflammation of
the hair follicles (known as “folliculitis”) from bacterial infection and/or demodectic mange (known
as “demodicosis”)
- Large, more widespread areas of hair loss (alopecia)—may indicate abnormal development of the hair
follicles or hair (known as “follicular dysplasia”) or a more generalized disease
- The pattern and degree of hair loss are important for establishing a diagnosis
Causes
Multiple Areas (Multifocal) of Hair Loss
- Localized demodectic mange (demodicosis)—partial to complete hair loss (alopecia) with reddening
of the skin (known as “erythema”) and mild scaling; lesions may become inflamed and may have dried
discharge on the surface (dried discharge known as “crusts”)
- Ringworm (known as “dermatophytosis”)—”ringworm” is a fungal infection on the surface of the skin
characterized by partial to complete hair loss (alopecia) with scaling; with or without reddening of
the skin (erythema); not always “ring-like” in appearance
- Inflammation of the hair follicles due to Staphylococcus bacterial infection (known as
“staphylococcal folliculitis”)—circular patterns of hair loss (alopecia) bordered by scales
(accumulations of surface skin cells, such as seen in dandruff) or surface peeling of the skin (the
pattern is known as an “epidermal collarette”), reddening of the skin (erythema), dried discharge on
the surface of the skin lesion (crust), and darkened areas of skin (known as “hyperpigmented macules”)
- Injection reactions—inflammation with hair loss (alopecia) and/or thinning of the skin (known as
“cutaneous atrophy”) from scarring
- Rabies-vaccine inflammation of the blood vessels (known as “vasculitis”)—well-demarcated patch of
hair loss (alopecia) at the location where the rabies vaccine was administered is observed 2–3 months
following vaccination
- Localized scleroderma (condition in which normal skin is replaced by scar tissue for some unknown
cause)—well-demarcated, shiny, smooth skin with hair loss (alopecia); lesion is a thickened, raised,
flat-topped area that is slightly higher than the normal skin (known as a “plaque”)
- Specific condition characterized by multiple patches of hair loss (known as “alopecia
areata”)—non-inflammatory areas of complete hair loss (alopecia)
- Condition characterized by multiple areas of hair loss with reddened skin, scales, and signs of
itchiness (known as “pruritus”) with inflammation of the sebaceous glands, the glands that produce
oils in the hair coat (condition known as “sebaceous adenitis”) seen in short-coated breeds—ring-like
areas of hair loss (alopecia) and scaling
Symmetrical Hair Loss
- Excessive levels of steroids produced by the adrenal glands (known as “hyperadrenocorticism” or
“Cushing’s syndrome”)—hair loss along the sides of the body (known as “truncal alopecia”) associated
with thin skin, plugs of keratin and oil in the follicles of the skin (known as “comedones”), and skin
infection characterized by the presence of pus (known as “pyoderma”)
- Inadequate levels of thyroid hormone (known as “hypothyroidism”)—hair loss (alopecia) is an
uncommon presentation
- Non-inflammatory hair loss (non-inflammatory alopecia, known as “alopecia X”)—symmetrical hair
loss along the sides of the body (truncal alopecia) associated with darkened skin (known as
“hyperpigmentation”); hair loss often starts along the collar area of the neck; seen in Pomeranians,
chow chows, Akitas, Samoyeds, Keeshonden, Alaskan malamute, and Siberian husky
- Excessive levels of estrogen (known as “hyperestrogenism”) in females—symmetrical hair loss
(alopecia) of the flanks and skin between the external genitalia and the anus (perineal skin) and
between the rear legs (inguinal skin) with enlarged external genitalia (vulva) and mammary glands
- Inadequate secretion of female hormones (known as “hypogonadism”) in intact females—hair loss of
the skin between the external genitalia and the anus (perineal skin), flank, and hair loss along the
sides of the body (truncal alopecia)
- Testosterone-responsive skin disorder (known as “testosterone-responsive dermatosis”) in castrated
males—slowly progressive hair loss along the sides of the body (truncal alopecia)
- Male feminization from Sertoli cell tumor (a type of tumor in the testicles)—hair loss (alopecia)
of the skin between the external genitalia and the anus (perineal skin) and genital region with
excessive development of the male mammary glands (known as “gynecomastia”)
- Castration-responsive skin disorder (known as “castration-responsive dermatosis”)—hair loss
(alopecia) in the collar area, rump, skin between the external genitalia and the anus (perineal skin),
and flanks
- Estrogen-responsive skin disorder (known as “estrogen-responsive dermatosis”) in spayed female
dogs—hair loss (alopecia) of the skin between the external genitalia and the anus (perineal skin) and
genital regions
- Seasonal flank hair loss/cyclic flank hair loss (alopecia)—creeping hair loss involving the flanks
with darkened skin (hyperpigmentation); seen in boxers, English bulldogs, and Airedale terriers
Patchy to Generalized (Diffuse) Hair Loss
- Demodectic mange (demodicosis)—often associated with reddening of the skin (erythema),
inflammation of the hair follicles (folliculitis), and darkened skin (hyperpigmentation)
- Bacterial infection/inflammation of the hair follicles (folliculitis)—multiple areas of circular
hair loss (alopecia) that may join to form large areas of hair loss; circular patterns of hair loss
bordered by scales (accumulations of surface skin cells, such as seen in dandruff) or surface peeling
of the skin (epidermal collarette)
- Ringworm (dermatophytosis)—often accompanied by scales (accumulations of surface skin cells, such
as seen in dandruff)
- Sebaceous adenitis (condition characterized by multiple areas of hair loss with reddened skin,
scales, and signs of itchiness [known as “pruritus”] with inflammation of the sebaceous glands, the
glands that produce oils in the hair coat)—hair loss (alopecia) with thick, adherent scales;
predominantly along the back line of the body, including the head
- Color-mutant/dilution hair loss (alopecia)—thinning of the hair coat with secondary inflammation
of the hair follicles (folliculitis) in some blue or fawn dogs
- Abnormal development of the hair follicles or hair (known as “follicular dysplasia”)—slowly
progressive hair loss (alopecia)
- Hair loss during stages of the hair growth cycle—sudden (acute) onset of hair loss (alopecia)
- Inadequate levels of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism)—generalized (diffuse) thinning of the hair
coat
- Excessive levels of steroids produced by the adrenal glands (hyperadrenocorticism or Cushing’s
disease)—hair loss along the sides of the body (truncal alopecia) with thin skin and formation of
plugs of keratin and oil in the follicles of the skin (comedones)
- Epitheliotropic lymphoma (type of cancer in the skin characterized by the presence of abnormal
lymphocytes; a lymphocyte is a type of white-blood cell, formed in lymphatic tissue throughout the
body)—widespread, generalized hair loss along the sides of the body (truncal alopecia) with scales
(accumulations of surface skin cells, such as seen in dandruff) and reddening of the skin (erythema);
later small, solid masses (known as “nodules”) and thickened, raised, flat-topped areas that are
slightly higher than the normal skin (known as “plaques”) may form
- Pemphigus foliaceus (a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own skin)—hair loss
(alopecia) associated with the formation of scales (accumulations of surface skin cells, such as seen
in dandruff) and dried discharge on the skin lesions (crusts)
- Keratinization disorders (disorders in which the surface of the skin is abnormal)—hair loss
(alopecia) associated with excessive scales (accumulations of surface skin cells, such as seen in
dandruff) and greasy surface texture
Specific Locations of Hair Loss
- Hair loss involving the ears (pinnal alopecia) or pattern baldness—miniaturization of hairs and
progressive hair loss (alopecia); seen in dachshunds, greyhounds, American water spaniels, Portuguese
water spaniels, Boston terriers, Manchester terriers, whippets, Italian greyhounds, Chihuahuas
- Traction hair loss (alopecia)—hair loss on the top and sides of the head secondary to having
barrettes or rubber bands applied to the hair
- Post-clipping hair loss (alopecia)—failure to regrow hair after clipping; may be associated with
disruption of the hair-growth cycle
- Melanoderma (hair loss [alopecia] of Yorkshire terriers)—symmetrical hair loss with darkened skin
of the ears, bridge of the nose, tail, and feet
- Seasonal flank hair loss/cyclic flank hair loss (alopecia)—creeping hair loss of the flanks with
darkened skin (hyperpigmentation); seen in boxers, English bulldogs, and Airedale terriers
- Abnormal development of the hair follicles or hair involving black hairs only (known as “black
hair follicular dysplasia”)—hair loss (alopecia) involving only the black-haired areas of the body
- Inherited inflammatory disorder that affects the skin and muscles of unknown cause (condition
known as “idiopathic familial canine dermatomyositis”) in collies and Shetland sheepdogs—hair loss
(alopecia) of the face, tip of ears, tail, and digits; associated with scales (accumulations of
surface skin cells, such as seen in dandruff) and dried discharge on the skin lesions (crusts), and
scarring
Treatment
Health Care
- Demodectic mange (demodicosis)—amitraz, ivermectin, milbemycin
- Ringworm (dermatophytosis)—griseofulvin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, lime sulfur dips, terbinafine
- Inflammation of hair follicles due to Staphylococcus bacterial infection (staphylococcal
folliculitis)—shampoo and antibiotic therapy
- Sebaceous adenitis (condition with hair loss, reddened skin, scales and inflammation of the
oil-secreting sebaceous glands)—keratolytic shampoo, essential fatty acid supplementation, retinoids
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- Keratinization disorders (disorders in which the surface of the skin is abnormal)—shampoos,
retinoids, vitamin D, cyclosporine
Surgery
- Biopsy of a tumor or the skin may be indicated in the diagnostic workup for some causes of hair
loss (alopecia)
- Hormonal disorders causing hair loss (treatment determined by specific hormonal disorder)—surgery
may include removal of ovaries and uterus (known as “ovariohysterectomy” or “spay”), removal of
testicles (known as “castration”), or removal of adrenal glands (known as “adrenalectomy”)
- Surgical removal of skin cancer or tumors
Medications
- Vary with specific cause
- Excessive levels of steroids produced by the adrenal glands (hyperadrenocorticism or Cushing’s
syndrome)—mitotane (Lysodren), trilostane
Follow-Up Care
Patient Monitoring
- Determined by specific cause
Preventions and Avoidance
- Determined by specific cause
Possible Complications
- Determined by specific cause
Expected Course and Prognosis
- Determined by specific cause
Key Points
- "Alopecia" is the medical term for hair loss
- Hair loss is a common problem in dogs
- Pattern of hair loss varies--may be localized or widespread
- Skin itself may appear normal or may be abnormal
Risk Factors
- Intact male
- Co-existing behavioral problem, such as separation anxiety
- Owners poorly informed or motivated to properly housetrain their dog
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