Introduction

• Cause: rare congenital disorder of hair follicles specifically created by breeding programs.
• Signs: decreased or absent hair coat from birth in Sphinx (Canadian hairless) cat.
• Diagnosis: clinical signs +/- skin biopsy.
• Treatment: antiseborrhoic shampoos.
• Prognosis: good, but lifelong treatment required.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Genetic.

Pathophysiology

• Congenital non-color-linked hair loss.

• Genetic coding   →   hair follicles absent or hypoplastic and decreased in number + sebaceous glands open directly onto skin surface   →   hairless and oily skin from birth.

Timecourse

• Lifelong.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outcomes