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Congenital Hypotrichosis
Hypotrichosis is a complete or partial absence of normal hair. It has been identified as a heritable trait in many mammalian species including mice, rats, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and primates. There is no effective treatment for this inherited condition. Affected dogs should not be bred.
Canine hypotrichosis is usually associated with the presence of less hair than normal. Both hypotrichosis, sometimes called regional alopecia, and alopecia can be congenital (present at birth) or may occur later in the animal's life. These defects can be associated with abnormalities of the female reproductive organs, defects in other structures such as teeth, claws, and eyes, or with skeletal defects. Congenital hyptrichosis is the term used to describe animals born without their normal hair or who experience hair loss within the firt month of life. Some dogs are born nearly bsld. 2
Breeds At Risk
Genetically-linked hypotrichosis has been recently reported in German Shepherds, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound, Beagle, Belgian Shepherd, Bichon Frise, French Bulldog, Dachshunds, Labrador Retriever, Lhasa Apso, Rottweiler, Toy and Miniature Poodles, Whippet, and Yorkshire Terrier. Young animals are affected more frequently. There may be a sex-linked inheritance as males are usually affected. The most frequent causes are hormonal disturbances (increased thyroid function and hyperadrenocorticism), seborrhea and certain inherited diseases.
In young adult Chesapeake Bay retrievers symmetrical hair loss affects the same areas of the body in male and female dogs. Hormonal investigations usually show increased adrenal and sex steroid concentration and malformed hair shafts. A familial predisposition seems likely and selective breeding might reduce the occurrence of this condition.
Signs
The hair loss is bilateral and usually affects certain areas: temples, ears, abdomen, back, or it can involve the whole body. Later skin thickening and pigmentation may occur with and seborrhea. Skin tests reveal normal hair follicle density although follicles are empty or contain keratin debris and fragments of hair shaft.
References
- R. Cerundolo, E. A. Mauldin, M. H. Goldschidt, S. L. Beyerlein, K. R. refsal, J. W. Oliver. Adult-onset hair loss in Chesapeake Bay retrievers: a clinical and histological study Veterinary Dermatology 16 (1), 39-46
- Danny W. Scott, D.V.M, William H. Miller, V.M.D, Graig E. Griffin, D.V.M. Small Animal Dermatology
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