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ALOPECIA - PATTERN BALDNESS

Note for Pet Owners:

This information is provided by Provet for educational purposes only.

You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

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Description
This disorder of dogs results in a pattern of hair loss from specific areas of the body.

Cause
The hair follicles are very small and only produce very fine hairs.

Breed Occurrence

  1. Type 1  Affects male (rarely female) Dachshunds aged 6-9 months
  2. Type 2  Affects American Water Spaniels and Portuguese Water Dogs from 6 months of age
  3. Type 3 This is the most common form and affects female Boston Terriers, Chihuahuas, Greyhounds, Italian Greyhounds, Manchester Terriers and Whippets from about 6 months of age.

Signs

  1. Type 1  Hairloss from the pinnae of the ears, progressing to total baldness of the ears by 8-9 years of age, and the skin becomes pigmented. The rest of the body coat is normal.
  2. Type 2  Hairloss involves the underside of the neck, inside the thighs and the tail
  3. Type 3  Hairloss around the ears, under the neck, the underside (ventrum) of the body and inside the thighs. Residual fine, small hairs are seen in the areas affected.

Complications
None

Diagnosis
Based upon clinical presentation and sometimes histopathology

Treatment
There is no satisafactory treatment. Affected dogs should not be used for breeding

Prognosis
This is not a serious disorder

Long term problems

Updated October 2013

 
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