Feline Symmetrical Alopecia

Chapter 52 Feline Symmetrical Alopecia



Vicki J. Scheidt, Andrew Hillier


Alopecia is defined as the absence of hair from skin areas where it is normally present. Feline symmetric alopecia (FSA) is a cutaneous reaction pattern with many possible etiologies; FSA should not be a final diagnosis, and it is important to determine the primary cause for the most appropriate therapy to be instituted.


In order to properly define the clinical problem and formulate an appropriate list of differential diagnosis, it is helpful to further categorize alopecia as follows:


• Whether the alopecia is self-induced (i.e., a result of pruritus) or not

• Distribution of lesions (body locations involved, localized or generalized)

• Duration (permanent or transient)

• Degree (partial or complete)

Alopecia in the cat, whether symmetric or asymmetric, is most often associated with varying degrees of pruritus and skin reactivity depending on the underlying disease.




Key Point


Although self-trauma (pruritus) due to underlying inflammatory skin disease is the most common cause of FSA, visible skin inflammation may be minimal or absent, even in cases of severe pruritus and alopecia.



NORMAL SHEDDING OF HAIR


In animals, the haircoat aids in thermal regulation, protects the skin, and has important aesthetic qualities. Cats are fastidious and spend a great deal of time grooming their coats. Normal grooming behavior aids in hair removal and normal shedding. However, when grooming becomes excessive, it may accentuate hair damage and skin disease. It may be difficult for some owners who are inexperienced in the grooming behavior of cats to be able to distinguish between normal grooming and excessive grooming due to pruritus.


Hair follicles have specific cycles of growth (anagen) and rest (telogen) that are primarily stimulated by changes in the photoperiod and to a lesser extent by temperature. From winter to late spring in temperate climates, minimal hair growth occurs and the thick winter coat is shed. Therefore, cats that live outside in colder climates may shed excessively in late spring and develop a transient thinning of the coat (hypotrichosis). Secondary hairs undergo a growth phase in the fall and winter that results in the thick, heavy coat needed for colder temperatures. Seasonal changes are less dramatic in tropical regions or in environments with artificial lighting (e.g., cats confined indoors). Under these conditions, a small amount of hair loss may occur continuously.



ETIOLOGY OF ALOPECIA


Multiple factors play a role in normal hair follicle development and growth (Table 52-1). Absence or changes in one or more of the factors can alter the normal hair growth process and result in alopecia. The underlying causes of FSA can vary depending on the area or region of the body affected. This chapter focuses on the causes of FSA that are primarily confined to the trunk (dorsum, perineum, caudal thighs, flanks, ventral abdomen, and thorax). The underlying causes of FSA affecting the trunk region have been classified into those that are associated with self-trauma or pruritus (e.g., licking or scratching) and those that are nonpruritic (Table 52-2).


Table 52-1 INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FACTORS INFLUENCING HAIR FOLLICLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

























Internal Factors External Factors
Genetic Nutritional
Hormonal Infectious
Immunologic Bacterial
Neoplastic Fungal (dermatophytes)
Stress Parasitic
Physical (traumatic)
Chemical (toxins, drug therapy)


Table 52-2 CAUSES OF FELINE SYMMETRIC ALOPECIA OF THE TRUNK

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Key Point


Determine whether pruritus and concurrent skin inflammation are present when formulating a differential diagnosis for FSA in the cat.



Self-induced (Pruritic) Alopecia


Allergic dermatitis and parasitic infestations are the most common causes of self-induced alopecia. Other cutaneous reaction patterns associated with allergic and parasitic dermatoses are feline miliary dermatitis (see Chapter 53) and eosinophilic granuloma complex lesions (see Chapter 53). Allergic causes of self-induced alopecia in cats typically do not have as strong a regional distribution (i.e., involvement of specific body locations) as is the case in dogs.



Flea Infestation and Flea Allergy Dermatitis


When associated with mild pruritus and minimal dermatitis, fleas can cause a symmetric alopecia of the dorsum, proximal tail, flanks, perineum, and ventral abdomen. Although a similar presentation can be seen in cats with flea allergy dermatitis, the alopecia and pruritus are much more severe in flea-allergic cats, and they typically have concurrent skin lesions (miliary dermatitis) along the dorsum, tail base, and ventral abdomen (see Chapter 45). Some flea-allergic cats do not have involvement of the typical body locations as mentioned; other body locations maybe involved, and flea allergy dermatitis should remain a differential diagnosis for cats with pruritus and alopecia even if the typical body locations are not involved.


Fleas and/or their feces are usually present on examination. However, in some cases the fleas and feces are removed during the excessive grooming (fleas may be found on fecal flotation in these cases) and the absence of fleas or flea feces should not rule out the possibility of flea allergy dermatitis.



Food Allergy


Food allergy in cats is associated with non-seasonal pruritus and a variety of clinical presentations, including FSA. The skin lesions and severe pruritus may be generalized or confined to the face and ears or trunk. Alopecia, whether diffuse or symmetric, results from excessive pruritus triggered by an allergic reaction to specific food items ingested (see Chapter 47). Stubbled or broken hairs, with or without concurrent focal erythema, papules, and crusting (miliary dermatitis), are usually present. Food allergy should be considered a differential diagnosis in any cat with non-seasonal pruritus and alopecia.



Feline Atopic Dermatitis


Atopic dermatitis in cats may be associated with seasonal or non-seasonal alopecia and pruritus (see Chapter 46). Similar to that seen in feline food allergy, the alopecia is secondary to pruritus and is associated with broken or stubbled hairs and concurrent skin lesions. The alopecia may be generalized or confined to the head and neck or distal extremities. Food allergy and atopic dermatitis are virtually indistinguishable on clinical examination in cats with non-seasonal pruritus.



Dermatophytosis


This is a common cause of localized or generalized alopecia in cats (see Chapter 42). Fungal organisms invade the hair shaft and grow downward but do not penetrate the mitotic region of the hair. Alopecia is not permanent unless the follicle is destroyed by secondary inflammation. A wide spectrum of clinical presentations can be seen with feline dermatophytosis, including the asymptomatic carrier state, particularly in longhaired cats. Classically, the alopecia is focal to diffuse with small numbers of fractured or stubbled hairs and mild epidermal erythema and scaling. The majority of dermatophyte infections in cats are caused by the zoophilic fungus Microsporum canis. Pruritus is variable in dermatophytosis and when present is typically mild and rarely moderate to severe.



Demodicosis


Demodicosis is an uncommon cause of alopecia in cats (see Chapter 43). The pathogenesis of feline demodicosis is reported to be similar to that described in the dog and caused by either Demodex cati (follicular mite) or Demodex gatoi (skin surface mite). D. cati is a normal inhabitant of feline skin, which under favorable conditions proliferates in hair follicles. Lesions consist of focal to diffuse alopecia, erythema, scaling, and crusts that may be localized and self-limiting or generalized. In some cases, these lesions may mimic feline endocrine alopecia. Generalized demodicosis due to D. cati infestation is usually associated with an underlying immunosuppressive disease, such as feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), diabetes mellitus, or neoplasia.


A pruritic, symmetric alopecia of the trunk caused by D. gatoi has been described in cats. Other body locations may occasionally be affected.



Otodectic Mange


Otodectes mites are the most common cause of otitis externa in cats (see Chapter 59). Otodectic mites can live on the skin surface and infrequently cause a symmetric alopecia over the lower back and tail base. Concurrent otitis externa may or may not be present. The degree of pruritus is variable.



Notoedric Mange


Notoedres mites cause a severely inflammatory and pruritic dermatitis involving the head, pinna, and neck in particular. Typically, miliary dermatitis is seen, but FSA may be an uncommon manifestation of infestation with this mite.



Bacterial Infection (Pyoderma)


Bacterial infection (usually staphylococci bacteria) is usually secondary to underlying primary disease, for example, allergic dermatitis, parasitic infestations, or endocrinopathy. Secondary bacterial skin infections are far less common in cats compared with in dogs. However, occasional cats may have a secondary bacterial infection that will mask response to flea control or food trials if not detected and treated to resolution.



Yeast (Malassezia) Dermatitis


Similar to bacterial infections, yeast dermatitis is usually a secondary problem associated with primary skin disease (allergy, parasites, endocrine, etc.) and is also far less common in cats compared with dogs. However, when present, yeast infections may induce moderate to severe pruritus in their own right, even when the underlying primary disease is non-pruritic (e.g., endocrine). Once again, failure to detect and resolve yeast skin infections will make it difficult to appreciate response to flea control, food trials, immunotherapy, etc.



Psychogenic Alopecia


This condition is often an enigma. Alopecia develops because the cat excessively licks, bites, or pulls out hair from those areas normally groomed (perineum, ventral abdomen, flank). In most cases, a stressful event such as moving to a new surrounding, being hospitalized or boarded, loss of a favorite companion, or introduction of a new pet or person (baby) into the environment precipitates the disease. Psychogenic alopecia is most common in nervous or “high-strung” cats, such as Siamese, Abyssinian, or black-colored cats. Typically, the areas affected are regions the cat can easily lick, such as the dorsal lumbosacral region, tail, medial and caudal thighs, ventral abdomen, flanks, and perineum. Partial to complete alopecia and stubbled hairs are observed, and concurrent skin changes (e.g., erythema, erosions, exudation, and crusting) are rare.




Key Point


As with most psychogenic conditions, it is critical to rule out the more common and likely pathologic causes of FSA before a diagnosis of psychogenic alopecia can be confirmed.



Non–self-induced (Nonpruritic) Alopecia



Feline Endocrine Alopecia


This is a disease of unknown cause. It is presumed to result from hormonal imbalances or deficiencies based on the positive response observed following treatment with specific hormones. The condition is characterized by non-pruritic, symmetric hair loss on the perineum, ventral abdomen, and caudal or medial thighs. Although the alopecia may spread to the flanks, lateral thorax, and proximal tail, the dorsum is usually spared. A thinning of the hair, rather than complete baldness, with normal, non-inflamed skin is the classic presentation. Feline endocrine alopecia primarily affects neutered females and males. However, this syndrome has been reported in intact cats.


Significant controversy exists regarding the relationship of hypothyroidism to feline endocrine alopecia. Affected cats usually have normal baseline serum thyroxine (T4) levels; however, serum T4 levels at 6 hours following stimulation with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) have been low compared with TSH stimulation results in normal cats. These findings suggest that some cats with feline endocrine alopecia may have a low thyroid reserve.


Some cats with hyperthyroidism may develop truncal alopecia, although typically the skin lesions of hyperthyroidism are uncommon and more often associated with a dull, greasy, lusterless haircoat.


Feline hyperadrenocorticism is rare; however, spontaneous and iatrogenic Cushing disease can produce FSA of the trunk or pinnae associated with thin hypotonic skin.

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Aug 27, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Feline Symmetrical Alopecia

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