Pigment Loss in Dogs & Cats

Loss of Pigmentation in Dogs & Cats

Overview

Disease or cosmetic condition involving loss of pigmentation of the skin and/or hair coat either by lack of pigmentation or by melanocyte damage; “melanocytes” are cells that produce pigment in the skin or hair
Normal pigment in the skin and hair coat is melanin
“Leukotrichia” is the medical term of whitening of the hair, without indication of location of the whitened hairs
“Poliosis” is the medical term of whitening of the hair on the head and/or face
“Leukoderma” is the medical term of whitening of the skin

Signalment/Description of Pet

Species

Breed Predilections

Mucocutaneous pyoderma (bacterial skin infection involving areas of the lips, eyelids, nostrils)—German shepherd dogs
Systemic lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease in which the body attacks its own skin and other organs) and discoid lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease involving the skin only, usually the face)—collies, Shetland sheepdogs, German shepherd dogs
Pemphigus foliaceous (auto-immune disease involving the skin, characterized by inflammation with crusting and lesions containing pus)—chow chows, Akitas
Uveodermatologic syndrome (a rare syndrome in which the pet has inflammation in the front part of the eye, including the iris [condition known as “anterior uveitis”] and coexistent inflammation of the skin [known as “dermatitis”], characterized by loss of pigment in the skin of the nose and lips)—Akitas, Samoyeds, Siberian huskies
Vitiligo (condition characterized by symmetrical lack of pigment in the skin and white hair coat, especially involving the face and nose) in dogs—Belgian Tervuren, German shepherd dogs, Doberman pinschers, rottweilers, German shorthaired pointer, Old English sheepdog, and dachshund
Seasonal nasal hypopigmentation (loss of pigment in the tough, hairless skin of the nose [known as the “nasal planum”] that occurs seasonally)—Siberian huskies, Alaskan malamutes, yellow Labrador retrievers, and golden retrievers
Proliferative arteritis of the nasal philtrum (inflammation of the arteries of the nasal philtrum, the juncture between the sides of the upper lip extending to the nose)—Saint Bernards, giant schnauzers
Vitiligo in cats–Siamese
Periocular leukotrichia (whitening of the hair coat around the eyes) in cats–Siamese
Chediak-Higashi syndrome (an inherited disorder that affects many tissues in the body; causes lack of pigment in the skin and eyes)–Persian

Mean Age and Range

Vitiligo (condition characterized by symmetrical lack of pigment in the skin and white hair coat, especially involving the face and nose) in dogs—usually less than 3 years of age
Epitholiotropic lymphoma (a type of skin cancer; also known as “mycosis fungoides”)—typically dogs over 10 years of age

Predominant Sex

Discoid lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease involving the skin only, usually the face)—may occur more often in females than in males
Vitiligo in Siamese cats—females

Signs/Observed Changes in the Pet

White hair (known as “leukotrichia”)
Partial or total lack of pigment in the skin (known as “leukoderma”)
Lightening of the pigment in the skin, often seen as a “graying” or “browning” of previously pigmented areas
Reddening of the skin (known as “erythema”)
Loss of the top surface of the skin (known as “erosion” or “ulceration,” based on depth of tissue loss)

Causes of Depigmentation in Cats and Dogs

Mucocutaneous pyoderma (bacterial skin infection involving areas of the lips, eyelids, nostrils)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease in which the body attacks its own skin and other organs)
Discoid lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease involving the skin only, usually the face)
Pemphigus foliaceous (auto-immune disease involving the skin, characterized by inflammation with crusting and lesions containing pus)
Pemphigus erythematosus (auto-immune disease involving the skin of the face and ears, characterized by reddening of the skin [erythema] and lesions containing pus)
Uveodermatologic syndrome (a rare syndrome in which the pet has inflammation in the front part of the eye, including the iris [anterior uveitis] and coexistent inflammation of the skin [dermatitis], characterized by loss of pigment in the skin of the nose and lips)
Contact hypersensitivity (increased sensitivity or reaction in the skin to the presence of a foreign agent that comes in contact with the skin)
Vitiligo (condition characterized by symmetrical lack of pigment in the skin and white hair coat, especially involving the face and nose)
Seasonal nasal depigmentation (loss of pigment in the tough, hairless skin of the nose [known as the “nasal planum”] that occurs seasonally)
Albinism (inherited disorders characterized by lack of pigment in the skin, hair, and/or eyes, due to abnormal production of melanin)
Schnauzer gliding syndrom (young, gray miniature schnauzers develop golden hair color, primarily in the body)
Hormonal disorders
Drug reaction
Erythema multiforme (skin disorder caused by reaction of medications, infections, or other diseases)
Proliferative arteritis of the nasal philtrum (inflammation of the arteries of the nasal philtrum, the juncture between the sides of the upper lip extending to the nose)
Loss of pigment in the skin and/or hair following skin inflammation
Dermatophytosis (fungal infection on the surface of the skin)

Risk Factors of Vitiligo in Cats and Dogs

Sun exposure—systemic lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease in which the body attacks its own skin and other organs), discoid lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease involving the skin only, usually the face), and pemphigus erythematosus (auto-immune disease involving the skin of the face and ears, characterized by reddening of the skin [erythema] and lesions containing pus)

Treatment for Pigmentation Loss in Pets

Health Care

Outpatient, except for systemic lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease in which the body attacks its own skin and other organs), erythema multiforme (skin disorder caused by reaction to medications, infections, or other diseases), and lymphoma of the skin (a type of skin cancer), when severe multiple organ dysfunction is present
Reduce exposure to sunlight—systemic lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease in which the body attacks its own skin and other organs), discoid lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease involving the skin only, usually the face) and pemphigus erythematosus (auto-immune disease involving the skin of the face and ears, characterized by reddening of the skin [erythema] and lesions containing pus)
Replace plastic or rubber dishes—particularly if roughened edges cause abrasions
Application of water-resistant sun-block ointments or gels (with a SPF UVA and UVB greater than 30) to depigmented areas
Vitiligo and nasal depigmentation–no treatment

Activity

Restrict outdoor activity to minimize exposure to sunlight—systemic lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease in which the body attacks its own skin and other organs), discoid lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease involving the skin only, usually the face) and pemphigus erythematosus (auto-immune disease involving the skin of the face and ears, characterized by reddening of the skin [erythema] and lesions containing pus)

Surgery

Skin biopsy

Medications for Lack of Pigments in Animals

Medications presented in this section are intended to provide general information about possible treatment. The treatment for a particular condition may evolve as medical advances are made; therefore, the medications should not be considered as all inclusive.

Vary based on underlying cause
Systemic lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease in which the body attacks its own skin and other organs)—immunosuppressive therapy with steroids (such as prednisolone or dexamethasone) and chemotherapy drugs (such as azathioprine [dogs] or chlorambucil [cats])
Tetracycline and niacinamide—to treat pemphigus erythematosis (auto-immune disease involving the skin of the face and ears, characterized by reddening of the skin [erythema] and lesions containing pus) and discoid lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease involving the skin only, usually the face) in dogs
Medications to decrease the immune response (known as “immunosuppressive therapy”)—to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease in which the body attacks its own skin and other organs), pemphigus foliaceous (auto-immune disease involving the skin, characterized by inflammation with crusting and lesions containing pus), pemphigus erythematosus (auto-immune disease involving the skin of the face and ears, characterized by reddening of the skin [erythema] and lesions containing pus)
Cyclosporine to decrease the immune response in auto-immune disorders
Steroids applied to the skin directly (known as “topical steroids”)
Tacrolimus, 0.1% gel or pimecrolimus 1% cream applied daily to lesions in combination with or to replace steroids
Imiquimod 5% cream for actinic keratosis (a precancerous skin condition caused by sun exposure)
Antibiotics–trimethoprim-sulfadiazine, cephalexin, or amoxicillin-clavulanate; effective in some cats
Antibiotics for bacterial skin infection (known as “pyoderma”)
Chlorambucil, a chemoterapeutic drug
Medications to treat fungal infections (known as “antifungal drugs”) to treat dermatophytosis (fungal infection on the surface of the skin)

Follow-Up Care for Canine and Feline Depigmentation

Patient Monitoring

Varies with specific disease and treatment prescribed

Preventions and Avoidance

Restrict outdoor activity to minimize exposure to sunlight—systemic lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease in which the body attacks its own skin and other organs), discoid lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease involving the skin only, usually the face) and pemphigus erythematosus (auto-immune disease involving the skin of the face and ears, characterized by reddening of the skin [erythema] and lesions containing pus)

Possible Complications

Systemic lupus erythematosus (auto-immune disease in which the body attacks its own skin and other organs)—scarring
Squamous cell carcinoma ( a type of skin cancer) in cases of sun-damage to the skin, with resulting loss of skin pigment