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Alopecia, Cat 45

• Melatonin (3-6 mg/DOG PO q 8-12h for ○ Deslorelin implants appear effective only PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS
3-4 months) is the first-line treatment for ○ Superficial mechanical skin trauma applied Comments
in intact male dogs.
VetBooks.ir fective or the alopecia initially occurred after with microneedling device may induce One of the unique features associated with Diseases and Disorders
dogs with alopecia X if neutering was inef-
neutering or recurred after neutering. Partial
hair regrowth in some dogs.
alopecia X is hair regrowth at a site of skin
to complete hair regrowth occurs in ≈30%-
40% of cases, and treatment is very safe. PROGNOSIS & OUTCOME trauma such as a biopsy or surgery site.
• Other therapeutic modalities can include Technician Tips
○ Mitotane (induction with 25 mg/kg q 24h • Alopecia X is a purely cosmetic disorder. Avoid unnecessary hair clipping because it may
or 25-50 mg/kg 2-3 times weekly has been Proceeding without treatment is therefore a never grow back in dogs with alopecia X.
suggested) is effective in ≈50% of cases. valid option.
However, the risk of side effects (e.g., • The progression of hair loss varies. Some SUGGESTED READING
hypoadrenocorticism) should be carefully dogs retain hair (puppy coat appearance) on Paradis M: An approach to symmetrical alopecia in
considered, and close monitoring is the trunk for years; others become completely the dog. In Jackson H, et al, editors: BSAVA manual
essential; or alopecic over the trunk within months. of canine and feline dermatology, ed 3, Gloucester,
○ Trilostane promotes hair regrowth in 90% • Hair regrowth is unpredictable with any of UK, 2012, BSAVA, pp 91-102.
of affected Pomeranians and miniature the current therapies and may not last AUTHOR & EDITOR: Manon Paradis, DMV, MVSc,
poodles. lifelong. DACVD

Alopecia, Cat Bonus Material
Online

BASIC INFORMATION Clinical Presentation and thin, shiny skin. Face, limbs, and
footpads also may be affected.
Definition DISEASE FORMS/SUBTYPES ○ Anal sac disorders: ventral abdominal
Hair loss in normally haired regions (alopecia) • Congenital alopecia, hair loss at the base of the
is a common dermatologic condition and may • Acquired (pruritic, infectious, parasitic, tail
be congenital or acquired. behavioral, systemic) ○ Cystitis/gastrointestinal disease: ventral
abdominal alopecia
Epidemiology HISTORY, CHIEF COMPLAINT ○ Dermatophytosis: variably pruritic. Patient
SPECIES, AGE, SEX • Chief complaint: hair loss; overgrooming may present with alopecia, scaling, miliary
• Congenital: young (not always noted by owners) dermatitis, erythematosquamous macules,
• Acquired • Hyperthyroid cats may be polyphagic, under- or patches.
○ Food allergy (dermatologic adverse food weight, and have an anxious disposition. ○ Behavioral: “barbered” hairs with no
reactions): any age • Hypothyroid cats may be lethargic and primary lesions. Head and neck usually
○ Parasitic: any age obese. unaffected.
○ Dermatophytosis: any age
○ Atopic dermatitis (environmental aller- PHYSICAL EXAM FINDINGS Etiology and Pathophysiology
gies): young adult • Hair loss, often bilaterally symmetrical • Pruritus: overgrooming
○ Endocrine tumor: middle-aged to older • Alopecia, self-induced secondary to pruritus: • Genetic: malformation/absence of hairs
○ Alopecia/barbering of ventrum, dorsum, • Fungal: mycotic destruction of hair shaft
GENETICS, BREED PREDISPOSITION antebrachia, and hindlimbs are common. • Endocrine: telogenization of hair follicles
• Alopecia universalis: Sphinx Crusted papules (miliary dermatitis) raises • Medical: self-trauma secondary to dis-
• Hereditary hypotrichosis: Siamese, Devon index of suspicion. Excoriations secondary comfort (cystitis, gastrointestinal, anal sac
rex, Burmese to the self-trauma may be noted. disorder)
• Follicular dysplasia: Cornish rex • Alopecia, self-induced or not, secondary to • Paraneoplastic alopecia: unknown
• Dermatophytosis: Persian a nonpruritic cause • Behavioral: compulsion, anxiety
○ Endocrine: variable amount of scaling;
RISK FACTORS coat may appear dull and dry DIAGNOSIS
Multi-cat households/catteries; cats that venture ■ Hyperadrenocorticism (rare in cats):
outdoors; exotic breeds thin skin, pendulous abdomen, and Diagnostic Overview
50% of patients may experience skin First determine whether the cat is pulling the
CONTAGION AND ZOONOSIS fragility syndrome (skin tears easily with hair out or it is falling out spontaneously. If
Some parasitic (e.g., fleas, cheyletiellosis) and gentle traction) this is unclear, placement of an Elizabethan
fungal diseases (e.g., Microsporum canis) are ■ Hypothyroidism (spontaneous is rare, collar for several weeks can help to elucidate.
both zoonotic and contagious. Demodex gatoi iatrogenic secondary to treatment of If the hair is falling out, fungal culture, skin
is contagious to other cats. hyperthyroidism more common); poor scrapings, skin biopsy, CBC, serum biochemical
hair regrowth at pressure points, alo- profile, and urinalysis are indicated. If the cause
GEOGRAPHY AND SEASONALITY pecia at neck, thorax, abdomen of the hair loss is self-trauma, a stepwise
Parasites have seasonal and geographic variations ○ Paraneoplastic (e.g., pancreatic neoplasia, approach is taken to identify the cause among
(e.g., fleas prefer warmer weather, increased hepatosplenic/bile duct tumors, colonic the multitude of possibilities. Many cases are
humidity). carcinoma): ventral abdominal alopecia multifactorial.

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