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Skin: hypo-estrogenism
Synonym(s): Ovarian imbalance type II
Introduction
- Rare, poorly understood dermatosis.
- Cause: caused by deficiency of sex hormones following ovariohysterectomy at an early age.
- Signs: bilaterally symmetrical alopecia begins in the perineal and perivulvar regions; may progress along ventral trunk and neck and occasionally the pinnae.
- Hyperpigmentation is rare.
- Diagnosis: history, clinical signs, histopathology.
- Treatment: estrogen or testosterone replacement.
- Prognosis: good.
Presenting signs
- Bilaterally symmetrical alopecia.
- Juvenile vulva and nipples.
- Loss of primary hairs in long-coated dogs → 'puppy-like' coat.
- Hypertrichosis with blonding of hairs in the Irish Setter Irish Setter (some).
- Urinary incontinence.
Age predisposition
- 2-4 years old.
Breed/Species predisposition
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Deficiency of estradiol (most common), progesterone Progesterone assay or testosterone Testosterone assay.
Specific
- Ovariohysterectomy at an early age.
Pathophysiology
- ?Adrenal sex hormone synthesis dysfunction (adrenal glands produce enough sex hormones for normal cell function in most neutered bitches).
- ?Sex hormone receptor deficit in the skin.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Scott D W (1990) Seasonal flank alopecia in ovariohysterectomised dogs. Cornell Vet 80 (2), 187-195 PubMed.
- Medleau L (1989) Sex hormone-associated endocrine alopecias in dogs. JAAHA 25 (6), 689-94 VetMedResource.