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Skin: hypo-estrogenism

ISSN 2398-2942

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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

  • No breed predilection reported but most reported cases in the Dachshund Dachshund and Boxer Boxer.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

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.