Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is a rare condition that causes hair loss in dogs. In this article you will learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
What is alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is an immune-mediated disease in which the immune system attacks and damages the hair follicles. The hair follicles are the structures from which the hair grows. The damage is usually reversible, i.e. the hair can grow back. The exact cause of this condition is not yet known, but it is suspected that genetic factors play a role.
How do you recognize alopecia areata?
The typical symptom of alopecia areata is asymmetrical, multifocal hair loss. This means that the dog has bald patches in different parts of the body. The alopecia progresses slowly and can spread to the whole body. The skin on the bald patches is often darker pigmented. The dog usually has no itching or other symptoms.
How is alopecia areata diagnosed?
The diagnosis of alopecia areata is not easy, as there are many other diseases that can lead to hair loss in dogs. These include, for example, parasite infestation, fungal infections, allergies or hormonal disorders. To rule these out, the vet must carry out various examinations, such as
- A thorough medical history and clinical examination
- A skin scraping or hair root examination under the microscope
- A skin biopsy for histological examination
- A blood test to check the hormone levels
How is alopecia areata treated?
There is no causal therapy for alopecia areata. This means that the disease cannot be cured, only the symptoms alleviated. In many cases, the hair grows back spontaneously, but this can take months or years. The regrown hair is often unpigmented, i.e. white or gray.
There are various treatment attempts to suppress or modulate the immune system in order to protect the hair follicles. These include, for example:
- Ciclosporin: a drug that inhibits the activity of T cells
- Glucocorticoids: hormones that have an anti-inflammatory effect
- Melatonin: a hormone that influences the hair cycle
However, these medications also have side effects and must be precisely dosed and monitored by the vet.
How can alopecia areata be prevented?
As the exact cause of alopecia areata is not known, there is no specific prevention for this condition. In general, however, care should be taken to ensure that the dog is fed a healthy diet and regularly dewormed and treated against parasites. The dog should also be protected from too much sunlight, as bald skin is more susceptible to sunburn.
The authors assume that a veterinarian should be consulted if an animal is ill and that medication should only be taken after consultation with a doctor or pharmacist. Only an individual examination can lead to a diagnosis and treatment decision.
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