What is Canine Alopecia? | Hair Loss in Grey Dogs May Be Hereditary – Circus Animal Hospital
Color dilution alopecia (also known as color dilution alopecia) is a skin disease that affects dogs with light-colored fur.
Some families who have dogs with light-colored fur
What is pale hair alopecia?
Is pale hair alopecia hereditary?
“Can pale hair alopecia be cured?”
Some of you may have questions or concerns such as:
This time we will explain in detail about this condition called alopecia.
Please read to the end to gain a deeper understanding of alopecia.
📍 Table of Contents
▼ What is light-colored hair alopecia?
▼ Symptoms of alopecia
▼ Testing for alopecia
▼ Treatment for alopecia of light-colored hair
▼ Can pale hair alopecia be cured?
▼ Summary
What is alopecia with light-colored hair?
Alopecia areata is a skin disease in dogs whose main symptom is hair loss.
It typically occurs in dogs with light-colored coats such as blue, gray, and silver.
Doberman Pinschers are known to be particularly susceptible to the disease.
Other dog breeds that have been reported include Yorkshire terriers, dachshunds, schnauzers, chihuahuas and standard poodles.
It can occur in all dog breeds, large or small.
Onset usually begins between 4 and 18 months of age, but symptoms may not become apparent until 3 to 6 years of age.
The disease occurs when melanin is no longer distributed properly within each hair strand.
Melanin is the pigment that determines the color of the coat and protects the coat from ultraviolet rays.
If melanin does not spread and accumulates in the hair follicle, it can cause hair growth disorders and make the hair more prone to breaking.
Also, alopecia is inherited from parents to children.
This means that breeding a dog that has the gene for alopecia is likely to result in offspring that will also have the condition.
Symptoms of pale hair alopecia
The main symptoms of alopecia are hair loss and dry skin, but other symptoms may appear as the condition progresses.
As a skin symptom
- Hair removal
- Drying
- Redness
- itch
- Bumps appear
- Pussy
- Greasy
Some examples include:
Hair loss spreads from the trunk to the sides.
If the condition progresses and inflammation or infection occurs in the skin or pores, you may experience itching or redness on the skin.
Testing for alopecia
There are several similar disorders that cause hair loss.
In addition to skin diseases, hair loss can also be caused by diseases of the thyroid or adrenal glands that prevent them from properly producing hormones involved in hair growth.
To rule out these diseases, your veterinarian will perform a combination of tests to diagnose your pet:
The main tests for alopecia are
- Physical Examination
- Blood tests
- Skin tests
- Pathological examination
Some examples include:
Only a combination of tests can provide an accurate diagnosis, determine how advanced the disease is, or rule out other diseases.
Treatment for alopecia of light-colored hair
There is no definitive treatment for alopecia.
However, there are medications that can stimulate hair growth and slow the progression of the disease.
The following are oral medications for pale hair alopecia.
For oral treatment of pale hair alopecia
- Melatonin
- Retinoids
Some examples include:
Regular washing with a sulfur salicylic acid shampoo can also be beneficial as it can remove excess sebum.
It is important to consider the best treatment for your dog’s condition.
Excessive grooming and shampooing can also worsen the disease.
It is important to protect your pet’s coat by keeping grooming to a minimum and using moisturizing shampoos and creams in order to prevent the disease from worsening.
Can pale hair alopecia be cured?
Although alopecia is not life-threatening, it is a difficult disease to cure.
Furthermore, alopecia is a genetic disease that can be passed down from parent to child.
When a dog develops alopecia, it is important to avoid breeding them so as not to pass the disease on to their offspring.
summary
Alopecia areata is a genetic condition that causes hair loss in dogs with light-colored coats.
Although it is not life-threatening, it can cause cosmetic problems and skin diseases, which can be painful for the dog.
Preventing reproduction is important to prevent the spread of disease to offspring.
Pale hair alopecia can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from other skin conditions.
Our clinic focuses on dermatology treatment. If you have persistent hair loss or recurring skin disease, please consult us.
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