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An analysis of factors underlying hypotrichosis and alopecia in Irish Water Spaniels in the United Kingdom
Author(s) -
Cerundolo Rosario,
Lloyd David H.,
Mcneil Pauline E.,
Evans Helen
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
veterinary dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1365-3164
pISSN - 0959-4493
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3164.2000.00180.x
Subject(s) - hypotrichosis , medicine , hair loss , physiology , dysplasia , ectodermal dysplasia , abnormality , dermatology , histopathology , estrous cycle , peri , testosterone (patch) , pathology , gynecology , biology , gene , biochemistry , psychiatry
A survey on the occurrence of dermatoses in the Irish Water spaniel (IWS) was carried out in the United Kingdom. A group of 20 dogs was selected and examined clinically. All dogs had a nonpruritic, noninflammatory, regionalized hair loss affecting the same areas of the body in males and females, although an initial cyclical pattern associated with the oestrus cycle was identified. Hormonal investigations showed features suggestive of an abnormality of steroidogenesis. Histopathology revealed features similar to canine recurrent flank alopecia (CRFA) and follicular dysplasia associated with abnormal melanization, as in colour dilution alopecia, although the clinical features did not correlate with those conditions. Dietary changes improved coat and skin quality in most of the cases in this series but the role of the diet was not investigated further. This study suggests that hair loss in IWS is influenced by dietary factors and sexual hormones. Abnormalities of the steroidogenic pathways may contribute to the severity of the condition.