canis - Articles
Skin: pattern baldness
Synonym(s): Pattern alopecia, Acquired pattern alopecia
Introduction
- Relatively common dermatosis, particularly in the Dachshund Dachshund.
- Cause: genetic? gradual reduction in hair follicle size.
- Signs: characterized by slow thinning of the hair coat.
- Diagnosis: history, clinical signs, histopathology.
- Treatment: none.
- Prognosis: permanent alopecia but good quality of life.
Presenting signs
- Bilaterally symmetrical alopecia +/- very fine hairs beginning on the pinnae and progressing to other regions.
- Seen on shedding of puppy coat or first moult after puberty.
- Bilaterally symmetrical alopecia +/- very fine hairs ventral neck, ventral chest, ventral abdomen and caudomedial thighs.
- Scaling and hyperpigmentation.
Age predisposition
- 6 months - 2 years old.
Breed/Species predisposition
- Dachshund Dachshund.
- Boston Terrier Boston Terrier.
- Chihuahua Chihuahua - Long Coat Chihuahua - Smooth Coat.
- English Bull Terrier Bull Terrier.
- Irish Water Spaniel Spaniel: Irish Water.
- Italian Greyhound Italian Greyhound.
- Manchester Terrier Manchester Terrier.
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
- Whippet Whippet.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- ?Genetic.
Pathophysiology
- Genodermatosis → progressive decrease in hair follicle size → fine, short hair shafts (vellus hairs).
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.
- Cerundolo R, Lloyd D H & Pidduck H G (1999) Studies on the inheritance of hair loss in the Irish Water Spaniel. Vet Rec 145 (19), 542-554 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Gross T Let al(1992)Veterinary Dermatopathology.St Louis: Mosby Year Book. (Detailed histopathological findings).
- Scott D Wet al(2000)Small Animal Dermatology.Eds: Muller G H & Kirk R W. 6th edn. W B Saunders Co. ISBN 0721676189. pp 965-966