The term "alopecia" means loss of hair.
The name "alopecia X" reflects the fact that the exact causes of this condition are not known.
It has been noticed that many therapeutic methods work in some cases and do not work at all in others, and the therapy methods may contradict each other.

Thus, we can conclude that alopecia X is not actually a disease, but a symptom complex.

Alopecia X has many names:

• "Black Skin"
• Hormone-dependent alopecia
• Alopecia treatable by sterilization
• Follicular dysplasia of the Siberian husky
• Alopecia after haircut
• Alopecia due to excess adrenal sex hormones

Let's try to clarify the situation and summarize the available information.

Typical patient

Typical patients are Spitz, Chow Chow, Malamute, Norwegian Elkhound, Poodle and others.
Hair loss begins in adulthood, usually around 3 years of age. First they fall out long hair, remains like a puppy's fluffy coat. Bald areas of skin are smooth, not prone to ulceration, without signs of itching.
Part of the problem is that hormone-dependent baldness does not differ in symptoms from alopecia of other origins.

Finding out the cause and treatment
To find out the reason, it is necessary to conduct a number of studies.

Step 1:

• Clinical blood test
• Urinalysis
• Survey thyroid gland
• Determination of the level of adrenal hormones in the blood
• Skin biopsy

The purpose of the examination is to exclude conditions similar to alopecia X.
This means that conditions such as Cushing's syndrome and hypothyroidism need to be ruled out.

Step 2: Sterilization

The likely cause of alopecia X is an imbalance of sex hormones, at least in some cases, for which it is sometimes called castration-responsive alopecia.
For this reason, the first thing they do is castration of females and males. Sterilization has many positive points, regardless of the presence of alopecia, the coat is restored in many animals (although not always). It is recommended to start treatment from this step rather than investing in complex and confusing examinations.

Step 2 for already sterilized animals:

What to do if the animal has already been sterilized or several months have passed since sterilization, and the coat is not restored? Next simple therapeutic method is the intravenous administration of the hormone melatonin. In approximately 50% of dogs, the effect appears within 6-8 weeks.
It is recommended to give the drug for at least 2-3 months until the initial effect appears; if the hair begins to grow, treatment is continued until cessation therapeutic effect(hair stops growing). After reaching the maximum hair length, the weekly dose is gradually reduced over the course of a month. If treatment is stopped abruptly, hair loss may begin again, and the condition may not respond to melatonin therapy a second time.
Melatonin has previously been used as a sleep aid. Some owners refuse to use the drug for their pets due to the sedative effect. Since melatonin is more likely food additive than a drug, the difference in the quantitative content of the hormone can be significant in drugs from different manufacturers.

If neither neutering nor the use of melatonin has a positive effect, and the animal does not have Cushing's syndrome or hypothyroidism, then other treatments are possible, but they all have negative side effects.
The following must be remembered: alopecia X is cosmetic defect. The dog may look funny, but the condition is not harmful. The owner must choose between potential side effects and appearance dogs.

Additional examinations

An additional option in achieving effective therapy is a study of the level of sex hormones of the adrenal glands.
First, the first blood sample is taken, then the ACTH hormone is injected, and a second blood sample is taken for comparison with the first. Blood samples are tested for adrenal sex hormones.
The research results show not only which hormones respond abnormally to the administration of ACTH, but also allow us to select adequate therapy. The tests are not expensive, although they take several weeks, but they are very useful for selecting therapy.

Methyltestosterone therapy

If melatonin is ineffective, methyltestosterone is used next.
Before use, it is necessary to exclude Cushing's syndrome and hypothyroidism; during use, it is necessary to periodically check biochemical research blood, as this hormone can be toxic to the liver.
The drug is given once a day, as side effect The dog's aggression may increase.

Additional Alternative: Lysodren

Lysodren is used in the treatment of Cushing's syndrome (increased secretion of adrenal hormones such as cortisone).
Lysodren damages the outer layers of the adrenal glands, controlling the secretion of cortisone by the cells of these layers. Severe damage to the adrenal glands can lead to electrolyte imbalances, which can potentially be very long-lasting (but treatable).
The use of lysodren can be effective in patients with alopecia X, since it damages those layers of the adrenal glands that secrete sex hormones.
It is important to understand that dogs who do not have Cushing's syndrome do not have excess levels of cortisone in their blood. The use of lysodren in such dogs can lead to cortisone deficiency, or to a more serious condition - deficiency steroid hormones adrenal glands (Addison's disease).
Signs of this condition include listlessness, vomiting and diarrhea. It is necessary to monitor blood cortisone levels in patients on lysodren.

Growth hormone

Previously, insufficient secretion of growth hormone was suspected in the development of alopecia.
The use of growth hormone is effective only when injection. This drug is synthetic and is not freely available. Its appointment may lead to diabetes mellitus, so it is necessary to monitor your blood sugar levels.
A course lasting 6 weeks can provide positive therapeutic benefits for several years.

In therapy against alopecia X, other drugs that affect the secretion of adrenal hormones are also used. The results from their use vary greatly.
This the following drugs: prednisolone, anipril, ketoconazole, leuprolide and cimetidine. Alopecia X - unpleasant disease, can last for years. Research on this topic is ongoing.

Alopecia is a fairly common disease among dogs. Alopecia happens different types, characterized by hair loss or impaired hair growth on the most different areas animal body.

Main symptoms and causes of the disease

Baldness in a dog manifests itself gradually or quite abruptly, and can be widespread or focal. In this case, the animal may look completely healthy. The causes of alopecia include:

Poor nutrition and lack of vitamins and minerals contribute to hair loss in animals. If skin redness, ulcers and papules, inflammation and hair loss are observed, then such symptoms may indicate food allergies on foods present in the diet.

Dogs often experience shedding depending on their age and breed. Puppies shed between three and nine months of age. And adults shed their fur twice a year.

As is known, representatives of the breed Chow Chow, Chihuahua, Husky, Doberman, Poodle, English Bulldog, Boxer, Staffordshire Terrier, miniature pinscher Baldness is often a hereditary predisposition. In this case, hair loss is symmetrical, without signs of inflammation, itching and other troubles.

Also, the causes of alopecia include hormonal imbalance, which can cause complete hair loss. The pathology may initially be characterized by gradual and then complete baldness of the animal’s neck, tail, lower back, groin, and hips, which is caused by the following factors:

• Disorders of the thyroid gland. This reason The disease is most common among dogs that experience hair loss, seborrhea, and the animal constantly licks the affected areas of the body.
• An excess of the hormone cortisol.
• Impaired production of growth hormone. As a rule, this problem occurs in male dogs during the maturation period (poodle, Airedale, chow-chow, boxer).
• Deficiency or excess of estrogen.

Also, during pregnancy, due to hormonal imbalance and stress, the dog experiences sudden hair loss, which goes away over time. In this case, treatment will not be required, as the hair will gradually grow back on its own.

Bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Infectious disease quickly transmitted to humans. Launched form illness often leads to fatal outcome pet. The most common diseases are ringworm and folliculitis. With folliculitis, in addition to hair loss, numerous pustules and crusts are also observed.

Main symptoms ringworm are a rash and itching, the skin on the affected areas peels off and becomes crusty. Constant scratching of the skin leads to the formation of cracks and scratches.

Treatment of alopecia

In medicine, there are many effective medicines, eliminating the disease. If your dog experiences not only baldness, but also other symptoms, you should immediately seek help from a veterinarian.

During the molting period, it is recommended to comb out the shedding hair of long-haired breeds with special wide-toothed combs, and for short-haired pets, a bristle brush is suitable. This procedure needs to be done 2 times a week. Also, some dog breeds need not only combing, but also a haircut.

There is no need to treat shedding because this process is quite natural and the owner of the animal does not have to worry about this.

To keep your pet's coat healthy and beautiful, you should add to its diet:

• Fatty acids.
• Retinol, microvit, trivitamin.
• Dairy products.
• Chicken meat, liver, kidneys.
• Vegetables.
• Eggs.

If an allergic reaction to any ingredient occurs, it is necessary to remove the irritant from the diet.

At hormonal imbalance medications such as Prednisone, Methyltestosterone, Porcine growth hormone or Leprolide acetate are usually prescribed. These drugs have side effects and are taken strictly under the supervision of a doctor. If your dog is allergic to medications, it is recommended to stop taking them.

Usually, when folliculitis develops in an animal, a specialist removes pus from the affected areas and also prescribes antibiotics, such as Zinerit, Cephalixin, Amoxiclav.

Ointments, antibiotics, and vaccines are used as drugs in the treatment of ringworm. Most medications contain iodine, which destroys fungi. In the fight against fungal infection, the most effective drugs The ointments that are considered are Dermatol, Juglone, Zoomikol, Griseofulfin. But before using the ointment, the remaining hair on the affected area is initially cut off, and then washed with water and iodine is applied. After which you can apply the ointment to the sore spot.

When identifying the presence of ticks in a dog, it is necessary to use sulfur preparations and medications containing selamectin and ivermectin. IN drinking water It is useful for your pet to add dandelion tincture and apple cider vinegar.

It is important to remember that a dog needs care, proper nutrition And timely treatment diseases in order to always be in healthy, active shape.

Alopecia is loss or impaired hair growth in dogs. Baldness can be a consequence of other diseases and indicate a malfunction of the dog’s body.

Reasons

Baldness can have several causes.

You need to know that dogs of such breeds as, etc. have a particular predisposition to alopecia.

Symptoms and diagnosis of baldness

Alopecia can be gradual and occur throughout the body or occur abruptly, focusing in certain places. There are no specific symptoms of baldness, the dog feels healthy, and its behavior differs little from usual. Additional signs appear if baldness is caused by diseases or disorders in the body. Then symptoms characteristic of a particular disease will appear.

Diagnosis of baldness occurs in several stages.

1. Analysis of the shape and size of the affected skin area. If the baldness is symmetrical, this indicates the presence of hormonal disorders. Hair loss in different parts of the body is characteristic of demodicosis. If there is only one area of ​​baldness, it may be due to a drug injection or a bacterial infection.
2. The diagnosis must be clarified using blood tests, skin scrapings, trichogram hair, and checking hormonal status.

Sometimes baldness can be partial, but without proper treatment, alopecia can progress to complete hair loss on the tail, groin area, neck, back of the thighs, lower back, etc.

Treatment

If the animal appears healthy and shows no cause for concern, the most reasonable solution would be to monitor its condition and behavior for several days. If, in addition to hair loss, additional symptoms (itchy skin, worsening from food, increased body temperature), which means you need to contact a veterinarian.

Treatment is prescribed depending on what led to baldness. If the causes of hair loss are hormonal disorders, increased sensitivity, the doctor prescribes a course special medicines. To restore the coat, medications such as Trilostane and Metatonin are used. It is necessary to ensure that the drugs have a minimum amount side effects, because incorrect treatment can significantly worsen the dog's further condition.

As a rule, hair restoration occurs within 4 to 8 weeks after the start of treatment. If, after three months, the hair has not recovered, the diagnosis and treatment need to be reconsidered.

Dog hair loss is not a life-threatening disease, but it can indicate other serious problems in the body!

Alopecia is the thinning, thinning or complete loss of hair on a dog’s body. There are many types of pathology and the causes that cause it. In addition to reducing the aesthetic perception of an animal with alopecia, the pathology can lead to serious health problems or be a symptom systemic diseases. When to Contact Immediately veterinary clinic, and when is hair loss a natural process?

There are several types of classification of alopecia in dogs:

• by origin (inflammatory and non-inflammatory);
• by localization (multifocal, symmetrically bilateral, local);
• by time of manifestation (congenital and acquired).

The difficulty in establishing the type of alopecia arises from the lack of a unified classification system and the multiplicity of causes and symptoms of the disease.

Causes of pathology

All the variety of causes of alopecia can be reduced to two groups. Alopecia occurs due to the following reasons:

• hormonal;
• non-hormonal.

These groups have their own characteristic features– with hormonal dysfunction, the formation of symmetrically located foci is noted. With the non-hormonal nature of baldness, the foci are located chaotically. Allergic reaction to administration medicines or at the site of introduction of the infectious agent, it manifests itself in the form of a single focus. Non-hormonal causes of baldness in dogs include:

Allergy – common occurrence in dogs. It may wilt when changing food or introducing certain medications. Often allergic reaction accompanied by severe flea infestation (flea dermatitis). There are also seasonal development factors allergic dermatitis and, as a result, alopecia. For example, hair loss can be a reaction to pollen.

Fungal infections often occur in dogs with deep skin folds. So, in Shar Peis, English bulldogs, the cause of hair loss under the arms, in the folds of the skin, with back side ear is a yeast fungus that appears in highly hydrated areas.

Hair loss is also observed with acanthosis nigricans, a pigmentary papillary dystrophy of the skin. Another type of keratosis, a compressed callus, is also a cause of baldness in dogs. Hormonal causes include:

• excess cortisol (Cushing's syndrome);
• growth hormone imbalance;
• excess or lack of estrogen;
• insufficiency of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism).

TO natural reasons hair loss can be attributed to:

• seasonal shedding, and in some breeds it occurs so profusely that “bald spots” all over the body become noticeable (Pomeranian Spitz);
• hormone imbalance during pregnancy and after childbirth or during estrus;
• stress.

Depending on the reasons that caused hair loss in a dog, the symptoms vary greatly, making it difficult to diagnose the pathology. There is a so-called alopecia X - an idiopathic pathology in which the causes of baldness cannot be identified. Separately, focal alopecia is distinguished, accompanied by complete hair loss in a clearly limited area. Reasons alopecia areata have not yet been identified. But it is suspected that the anomaly is caused by a cellular and humoral reaction to the follicular antigen.

Symptoms of pathology

There are no common symptoms for alopecia; each type of baldness is accompanied by its own set of manifestations. For example, itching and redness skin in the place of hair loss are inherent in demodicosis and allergies. For folliculitis, erythema, flea dermatitis or food allergies, papules are formed on the skin, filled with serous fluid. When they open, they form ulcers.

With folliculitis, an abscess forms in the area of ​​the hair follicle, which can transform into a purulent melting of the skin area. These types of alopecia are accompanied by:

• inflammation;
• redness of the skin;
• increased body temperature;
• hair loss;
• violation of the structure and integrity of the skin;
• itching.

Hormonal causes of alopecia usually do not cause symptoms. Skin hyperpigmentation is sometimes observed. For example, alopecia during pregnancy or hypothyroidism begins suddenly and is manifested only by hair loss. The same picture is observed in the presence of a pattern of alopecia in dogs - a hereditary anomaly in which a puppy is born with normal hair, and after a while begins to go bald. Since there are many reasons, but characteristic symptoms are absent, then the diagnosis can only be determined by differential diagnosis.

Diagnostic methods for alopecia

The main diagnostic methods for alopecia are:

• biochemical analyzes of skin scrapings;
• microscopic examination of skin scrapings and lost hair;
• phototrichogram;
• biopsy;
• glow with a Wood's lamp;
• bacteriological and mycological cultures of skin scrapings.

If you suspect hormonal reasons alopecia patients take blood to analyze hormone levels. A blood test is prescribed to determine the activity of T- and B-lymphocytes (for alopecia areata), the concentration of the protein involved in the synthesis of iron (ferritin), and the presence of antigens.

Differential diagnosis is a costly study, since many expensive tests are performed, but without them it is difficult to establish the cause of baldness in a dog, and, therefore, it is impossible to develop an adequate treatment regimen.

Treatment of hair loss in dogs

The treatment strategy depends on the cause of baldness. If the cause is a hormone imbalance, then hormonal therapy is performed:

• Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism;
• Mitotane, Trilostane for Cushing's disease.

In order to restore hair, after treating the cause of the pathology, the following drugs are prescribed:

• Melatonin;
• Mitotane;
• Trilostane;
• Methyltestosterone;
• Lysodren.

In the treatment of idiopathic alopecia in veterinary medicine it is often used complex therapy using the drugs Prednisolone, Anipril, Ketoconazole, Leuprolide and Cimetidine. They are combined as prescribed by the doctor.

If the prescribed treatment does not bring results after several months, then the strategy is revised and a new treatment regimen is applied.