Congenital hypotrichosis (too little hair) and alopecia (no hair) in dogs are a group of inherited disorders in which hair follicles either never form properly or form but produce hair shafts that break. Most are cosmetic, but they matter because they must be separated from treatable causes of hair loss in young dogs, because some carry problems beyond the skin, and because owners and breeders need sound genetic advice.
Key facts
Congenital hypotrichosis and alopecia at a glance- Species and system: dog; integumentary (with teeth, eyes and airways involved in ectodermal dysplasia).
- Cause: genetic. EDA (X-linked ectodermal dysplasia), FOXI3 (Chinese Crested, Xoloitzcuintli, Peruvian Hairless), SGK3 (American Hairless Terrier), MLPH dilute genotype (colour dilution alopecia).
- Classic presentation: a blue Dobermann with a normal puppy coat that loses hair over its blue areas, but not its tan points, before about a year of age.
- Other classic: a male puppy born with symmetric bald patches and missing or cone-shaped teeth (X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia).
- Treatment: no cure; manage secondary infection, protect the skin, and give breeding advice.
- Not zoonotic, not reportable.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 18 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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