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Clinical and histological characterization of multifocal, spontaneous, noninfectious alopecia in N orwegian puffin dogs (lundehunds)
Author(s) -
Bergvall Kerstin E.,
Shokrai Arman
Publication year - 2014
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 - 10.1111/vde.12111
Subject(s) - medicine , histopathology , population , atrophy , breed , pathology , dermatology , seborrhoeic dermatitis , genetics , environmental health , biology
Background A noninfectious, spontaneous, multifocal alopecia has been recognized in N orwegian puffin dogs. Hypothesis/Objectives This study aimed to report demographic information, history, clinical signs, histopathological features and follow‐up information for alopecic N orwegian puffin dogs from S weden. Material and methods A questionnaire was sent out to all members of the breed association. Dogs clinically diagnosed with alopecia and biopsied were allocated to Group A . Dogs reported with alopecia for which histopathology was not available were allocated to Group B . Results Group A included 14 dogs (11.7% of the breed population in S weden). Information regarding 72 dogs (60% of the breed population) was collected via questionnaire, and alopecia without histopathology was reported in another five dogs ( G roup B ). Gender distribution was equal. Median age of onset was 1.5 years (range 8 months to 7 years). Multifocal or serpiginous alopecia, follicular plugging, dry skin, slight scaling and pruritus were characteristic. Extensive, widespread alopecia was not seen, and lesions were recorded only in haired skin. A lymphoplasmacytic, mural, isthmus folliculitis/perifolliculitis with follicular and perifollicular mucin was observed. Inflammation did not involve the hair bulb; atrophy was sometimes present. The inflammation sometimes extended to sebaceous glands, resulting in atrophy and absence of glands. Follow‐up ranged from 6 months to 12 years (mean 3.2 years). Spontaneous remission was rare. Estrus was associated with worsening of the disease or relapse. Oral prednisolone reduced pruritus but was not effective in resolving clinical lesions. All dogs treated with ciclosporin went into remission. Conclusions and clinical importance This is the first report of mural, mucinotic, isthmus folliculitis alopecia in N orwegian puffin dogs.