| PETCARE TODAY BULLETIN ON Alopecia and its clinical management in dogs Alopecia
i.e. loss of hair is one of the common problem noticed in hairy
breeds like Pomeranians,
German Shepherds, Golden retriever |
| Classification of Alopecia |
| Physiology of Hair Growth |
| Etiology of Alopecia |
| Certain Laboratory diagnostic tests |
| Correcting Aggression |
1. Congenital : Congenital alopecia may develop at any stage and it is non responsive to therapy.
2. Acquired : Acquired alopecia can be seen at any phase depending on its etiology (causative agent) and often responds to the therapy.
Development of the hair happens in 3 phases:-
During Anagen phase hair
grows through mitosis (division) of matrix cells. The catagen begins as mitosis
ceases. During this period connective tissue sheath disappear. Thereafter the
follicle enters the resting phase-Telogen phase.
Genetic disorders
Acquired causes
1. BACTERIAL CAUSES
One of the common disease encountered because of bacterial origin is Pyoderma. The most predominant bacteria observed is Staphylococcus of which S.intermedius has got a devastating role. Breeds susceptible for this disease are German Shepherds, Labrador, Doberman, Golden Retriever etc.
Clinical Management
2. NUTRITIONAL CAUSES
The primary cause of nutritional alopecia is deficiency of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), protein, minerals and vitamins. EFAs are linolenic acid (Omega 3 fatty acid), linoleic acid (Omega 6 fatty acid) and oleic acid deficiency often results in alopecia. Vitamin-A & E deficiency results in dull dry hair coat and zinc deficiency leads to partial alopecia particularly on the lumbar and back region.
Clinical Management
Preparation available with EFAs is NUTRICOAT syrup.
3. MYCOTIC ALOPECIA
The common causative agent observed are dermatophytes (Microsporum canis) that invades the skin. They cause folliculitis and multifocal alopecia. The lesions are non pruritic and spread rapidly to different parts.
Clinical Management
Preparation available is SELEDRUFF Shampoo
4. IMMUNOLOGICAL ALOPECIA
Immune mediated skin disease include Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Diagnosis of such alopecia can only be made by skin biopsy and direct immunofluroscent test.
Treatment of such alopecia include immunosuppresive drug (Prednisolone) and Cyclophosphamide. Mild cases of DLE may respond to vitamin-E and prednisolone therapy.
5. ALLERGIC ORIGIN
Pruritis is the cardinal sign of allergic alopecia. Allergy may be :-
Atopy is the most common predisposing cause of otitis externa. Atopic allergy is the immediate hypersensitivity reaction that involves the attachment of IgE (Immunoglobin E) to circulating basophils (Type of Leucocytes/white blood cells) and mast cells. Breeds susceptible are Dalmatians, Golden Retriever, German Shepherds etc. Management of such cases includes the identification and elimination of allergens and administering corticosteriods for few days.
Flea bite allergy is also one of the frequent condition encountered especially in summer seasons. Saliva of fleas contains allergens that is released on the skin of dog during feeding and later on leads to allergy. The most common affected part is back region.
6. PARASITIC ORIGIN
External parasites like Ticks, fleas and mites invades the skin and damanges the hair follicles causing shedding of hairs. Certain endoparasites like Ancylostoma and microfiliria also causes alopecia. Hence, proper control measures of ecto and endo parasites have followed meticulously.
7. HORMONAL IMBALANCE
Hypothyroidism
is a commonly diagnosed endocrine disorder in dogs. Breeds predisposed towards
hypothyroidism include the Boxer, Dachshund, Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane etc.
Clinical signs attributed includes dullness, lethargy, exercise intolerance,
increase in weight, heat seeking, bilateral symmetrical non-pruritic alopecia,
rat tail appearance, hyper pigmentation etc. Therapy includes oral administration
of synthetic thyroxine for long period. Other disorders involving harmonal imbalance
are hyperestrogenism in bitches and sertoli cell tumor in cur (male dog). The
appropriate treatment for these conditions are hysterectomy in bitches and castration
in curs.
CERTAIN LABORATORY DIAGNOSTIC TESTS COULD BE ADOPTED IN DIAGNOSIS
SKIN SCRAPING EXAMINATION
Skin scraping examination is of value in identifying mites and sometimes fungus. Make scraping deep enough to cause blood to ooze from the skin. To soothen the part to be scraped Glycerine or liquid paraffin or 10% KOH (Potassium Hydroxide) can be used alongwith BP blade.
The skin scrapings should be transferred to test tube containing 10% KOH or NaOH (Sodium hydroxide) and warm it over flame. then the suspension should be allowed to cool for few minutes or centrifuged for 2 min. at 1000 rpm. then place the material on the glass slide and examine under microscope for mites (Demodex/Sarcoptic/Psoroptic sps.) Indian ink/methylene blue could be used for identification of fungal spores.
URINE ANALYSIS
Urine analysis is being conducted in various conditions like renal dysfunctions/hepatic disorders/Urinary tract infections like cystitis (inflammation of Urinary Bladder) or in any metabolic disturbances.
Collection of Urine : The urine sample has to be collected in a clean glass vials or plastic containers. It could be collected eigher through catheterization under aseptic conditions or at the time of normal voiding. Early morning "mid stream" urine is preferred with minimum 10 ml quantity.
Physical Examination of Urine
The following parameter should be observed in the sample of urine.
The normal colour of urine is light yellow. Colourless to pale yellow can occur in increased intake of water, pyometra, nephritis etc. Dark yellow to yellowish brown colour can occur in acute nephritis, depleted intake of water, too hot climate, vomiting and diarrhoea leading to dehydration. Red to pink colour is observed in conditions like leptospirosis, neoplasms of bladder or urinary tract, Babesiosis etc.
Specific gravity is recorded by using refractometer or urinometer. The normal specific gravity of urine in dogs is between 1.001 - 1.065.
Clinical Examination of Urine
1. pH
This depends on the diet and the metabolism of the individual species which can be checked by using pH strips available commerically. The urine pH is acidic in dogs. Alkaline pH is seen in conditions like cystitis, vegetarian diet in dogs, administration of alkaline salts, metabolic alkalosis. Acidic pH is seen in cases like starvation, fever, metabolic acidosis, diabetes, uremia, administration of acidic salts.
2. Estimation of
Note : Due to the constraint of space in the bulletin we could not able to furnish the interpretation of above mentioned entities but we will certainly provide you the information if you write to us.
3. Microscopic Examination
A small quantity of the sediment after centrifugation is examined under microscope for identifying the presence of epithelial cells, red blood cells, leucocytes, crystals and casts.
|
Cryptococcosis
is the most prevalent, common and destructive systemic mycosis (fungal
infection) encountered in cats.
Cryptococcosis
is often chronic. Cachexia and anoraxia are usually present in addition
to above mentioned symptoms depending |
