25 Canine recurrent flank alopecia INITIAL PRESENTATION Symmetrical alopecia with mild scaling and hyperpigmentation. INTRODUCTION Canine recurrent flank alopecia is characterized by symmetrical seasonal hair loss affecting the thorax and flanks. In the past, it has been referred to as seasonal flank alopecia, canine idiopathic cyclic flank alopecia and cyclic follicular dysplasia. The condition mimics other endocrine disorders but the aetiology of canine recurrent flank alopecia is not known. There is seasonal hair regrowth in most dogs affected by this condition; however, in a small number of cases it may only be partial, or even non-existent. Clinically, canine recurrent flank alopecia is most often confused with hypothyroidism and, being only an aesthetic problem, it is important to distinguish between the two at the first instance to avoid unnecessary lifelong therapy. This report describes such a case. CASE PRESENTING SIGNS A 4-year-old spayed, female Rhodesian ridgeback was presented, in spring 2006, with symmetrical truncal alopecia and excessive hyperpigmentation of the skin. CASE HISTORY Most cases are presented for the alopecia, which appears to be visually more marked because of the hyperpigmentation. Most dogs do not exhibit signs of pruritus unless there is secondary pyoderma. The affected dogs are healthy and usually the onset of the condition is of short duration. The history in this case was: • The dog’s general health was unaffected. • The familial history was unknown. • The dog’s routine management had not been changed. • The hair loss was first noticed in late December/early January. • It had started on the flanks and progressed anteriorly to involve the lateral thorax. • There was poor hair regrowth at the site of clipping for skin scrapes. • The condition was non-pruritic. CLINICAL EXAMINATION Generally the alopecia is bilaterally symmetrical, mostly involving the lateral thorax and flanks, but in some dogs it may also affect the dorsal aspects. In a minority of cases, it may also involve the bridge of the nose, convex aspects of the ears, the tail base and the perineum. The alopecia is usually irregular but well demarcated, and both primary and secondary hairs are lost. On regrowth, a change in hair colour – lighter (aurotrichia) or darker (melanotrichia) – may be evident and, in some dogs, the new hair is dry, coarse and brittle. General physical examination in all cases is unremarkable, unless there is a concurrent disease. The key findings in this case were: • No abnormalities were detected on physical examination. The heart rate was 90 beats per minute. • A symmetrical alopecia affected the lateral aspects of the thorax and the flanks (Fig. 25.1). • The skin was grossly hyperpigmented (Fig. 25.2). • The hair was easily epilated during examination. Figure 25.1 Alopecia and hyperpigmentation on the lateral thorax and abdomen (note the biopsy site). Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related Related posts: Cheyletiellosis in a rabbit Acral lick dermatitis Demodicosis Digital squamous cell carcinoma Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: Saunders Solutions in Veterinary Practice Small Animal Dermatolo Sep 3, 2016 | Posted by admin in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Canine recurrent flank alopecia Full access? Get Clinical Tree
25 Canine recurrent flank alopecia INITIAL PRESENTATION Symmetrical alopecia with mild scaling and hyperpigmentation. INTRODUCTION Canine recurrent flank alopecia is characterized by symmetrical seasonal hair loss affecting the thorax and flanks. In the past, it has been referred to as seasonal flank alopecia, canine idiopathic cyclic flank alopecia and cyclic follicular dysplasia. The condition mimics other endocrine disorders but the aetiology of canine recurrent flank alopecia is not known. There is seasonal hair regrowth in most dogs affected by this condition; however, in a small number of cases it may only be partial, or even non-existent. Clinically, canine recurrent flank alopecia is most often confused with hypothyroidism and, being only an aesthetic problem, it is important to distinguish between the two at the first instance to avoid unnecessary lifelong therapy. This report describes such a case. CASE PRESENTING SIGNS A 4-year-old spayed, female Rhodesian ridgeback was presented, in spring 2006, with symmetrical truncal alopecia and excessive hyperpigmentation of the skin. CASE HISTORY Most cases are presented for the alopecia, which appears to be visually more marked because of the hyperpigmentation. Most dogs do not exhibit signs of pruritus unless there is secondary pyoderma. The affected dogs are healthy and usually the onset of the condition is of short duration. The history in this case was: • The dog’s general health was unaffected. • The familial history was unknown. • The dog’s routine management had not been changed. • The hair loss was first noticed in late December/early January. • It had started on the flanks and progressed anteriorly to involve the lateral thorax. • There was poor hair regrowth at the site of clipping for skin scrapes. • The condition was non-pruritic. CLINICAL EXAMINATION Generally the alopecia is bilaterally symmetrical, mostly involving the lateral thorax and flanks, but in some dogs it may also affect the dorsal aspects. In a minority of cases, it may also involve the bridge of the nose, convex aspects of the ears, the tail base and the perineum. The alopecia is usually irregular but well demarcated, and both primary and secondary hairs are lost. On regrowth, a change in hair colour – lighter (aurotrichia) or darker (melanotrichia) – may be evident and, in some dogs, the new hair is dry, coarse and brittle. General physical examination in all cases is unremarkable, unless there is a concurrent disease. The key findings in this case were: • No abnormalities were detected on physical examination. The heart rate was 90 beats per minute. • A symmetrical alopecia affected the lateral aspects of the thorax and the flanks (Fig. 25.1). • The skin was grossly hyperpigmented (Fig. 25.2). • The hair was easily epilated during examination. Figure 25.1 Alopecia and hyperpigmentation on the lateral thorax and abdomen (note the biopsy site). Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related Related posts: Cheyletiellosis in a rabbit Acral lick dermatitis Demodicosis Digital squamous cell carcinoma Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: Saunders Solutions in Veterinary Practice Small Animal Dermatolo Sep 3, 2016 | Posted by admin in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Canine recurrent flank alopecia Full access? Get Clinical Tree
