Full text loading...
An approach to feline alopecia
/content/chapter/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11
An approach to feline alopecia
- Authors: Silvia T. Auxilia and Jacqueline D. Sinke
- From: BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dermatology
- Item: Chapter 11, pp 76 - 85
- DOI: 10.22233/9781905319886.11
-
Copyright:
- Publication Date: September 2012
Abstract
PLEASE NOTE A NEW 4TH EDITION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED AND IS AVAILABLE IN THE LIBRARY AND IN PRINT
Alopecia is defined as a lack of hair in normally haired areas. Alopecia can be partial (hypotrichosis), with thinning of the hair coat, or it may be total, with complete loss of hair. Alopecia is a common clinical presentation in cats affected by skin diseases, and its clinical and diagnostic approaches are somewhat different from those of canine alopecia. The most common form of feline alopecia is self-induced, with normal hair being removed because of pruritus. Thus, the cause of the pruritus needs to be diagnosed properly and addressed. Given that pruritus can be caused by many different diseases, a systematic and logical approach is extremely important. This chapter looks at Differential diagnosis; Clinical approach; Congenital alopecia and hair abnormalities; Alopecia due to self-trauma; and Spontaneous alopecia due to loss of existing hair.
/content/chapter/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11
Figures
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig2
11.2
Abyssinian cat affected by self-induced alopecia. This breed is predisposed to psychogenic alopecia. In this case, the condition developed after the cat was moved to a different country and resolved spontaneously several months after the family settled in. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_2_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_2.png
11.2
Abyssinian cat affected by self-induced alopecia. This breed is predisposed to psychogenic alopecia. In this case, the condition developed after the cat was moved to a different country and resolved spontaneously several months after the family settled in.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig3
11.3
(a) Fractured hair shafts obtained from a cat affected by alopecia due to self-trauma. Most of the affected hairs are expected to have this appearance in self-inflicted alopecia. (b) Several telogen bulbs, which are typically spear-shaped, rough-surfaced, usually straight and non-pigmented. Telogen bulbs are typical of inactive hairs and represent a large majority (80–90%) of hairs found in a normal trichogram. However, finding all the hairs on a trichogram in telogen is suggestive of spontaneous alopecia, with loss of existing hair. (c) Anagen hair bulb, typically round, pigmented and bent to one side. Anagen bulbs are characteristic of actively growing hairs. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_3_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_3.png
11.3
(a) Fractured hair shafts obtained from a cat affected by alopecia due to self-trauma. Most of the affected hairs are expected to have this appearance in self-inflicted alopecia. (b) Several telogen bulbs, which are typically spear-shaped, rough-surfaced, usually straight and non-pigmented. Telogen bulbs are typical of inactive hairs and represent a large majority (80–90%) of hairs found in a normal trichogram. However, finding all the hairs on a trichogram in telogen is suggestive of spontaneous alopecia, with loss of existing hair. (c) Anagen hair bulb, typically round, pigmented and bent to one side. Anagen bulbs are characteristic of actively growing hairs.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig5
11.5
A 9-month-old cat affected by sebaceous gland dysplasia. Generalized hypotricosis and seborrhoea can be noted. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_5_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_5.png
11.5
A 9-month-old cat affected by sebaceous gland dysplasia. Generalized hypotricosis and seborrhoea can be noted.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig6
11.6
Cat affected by self-inflicted alopecia over the ventral abdomen. Note the residual secondary hairs and the non-inflammatory, symmetrical appearance of the affected skin. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_6_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_6.png
11.6
Cat affected by self-inflicted alopecia over the ventral abdomen. Note the residual secondary hairs and the non-inflammatory, symmetrical appearance of the affected skin.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig8
11.8
Self-induced partial alopecia with a symmetrical distribution over the dorsum and lateral thighs in a cat affected by psychogenic alopecia. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_8_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_8.png
11.8
Self-induced partial alopecia with a symmetrical distribution over the dorsum and lateral thighs in a cat affected by psychogenic alopecia.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig9
11.9
Focal, asymmetrical partial alopecia in an Exotic Shorthaired cat with demodicosis (Demodex gatoi). All cats in this cattery were affected. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_9_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_9.png
11.9
Focal, asymmetrical partial alopecia in an Exotic Shorthaired cat with demodicosis (Demodex gatoi). All cats in this cattery were affected.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig10
11.10
Self-induced partial alopecia in a cat affected by an adverse food reaction. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_10_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_10.png
11.10
Self-induced partial alopecia in a cat affected by an adverse food reaction.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig11
11.11
Self-induced partial alopecia in a cat affected by environmental atopic dermatitis. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_11_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_11.png
11.11
Self-induced partial alopecia in a cat affected by environmental atopic dermatitis.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig12
11.12
Self-induced partial alopecia in a cat affected by flea bite hypersensitivity. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_12_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_12.png
11.12
Self-induced partial alopecia in a cat affected by flea bite hypersensitivity.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig13
11.13
Focal partial patchy alopecia, hyperpigmentation and scaling in a cat affected by dermatophytosis. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_13_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_13.png
11.13
Focal partial patchy alopecia, hyperpigmentation and scaling in a cat affected by dermatophytosis.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig14
11.14
Total alopecia, miliary erosions and serous crusts affecting the ventral abdomen (note the typical periareolar lesions) in a cat affected by pemphigus foliaceus. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_14_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_14.png
11.14
Total alopecia, miliary erosions and serous crusts affecting the ventral abdomen (note the typical periareolar lesions) in a cat affected by pemphigus foliaceus.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig15
11.15
Diagnostic approach to self-induced alopecia. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_15_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_15.png
11.15
Diagnostic approach to self-induced alopecia.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig17
11.17
Siamese cat affected by iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism and diabetes mellitus as a consequence of long-term treatment with high-dose glucocorticoids. Note the alopecia and partial folding of the left pinna. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_17_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_17.png
11.17
Siamese cat affected by iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism and diabetes mellitus as a consequence of long-term treatment with high-dose glucocorticoids. Note the alopecia and partial folding of the left pinna.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig18
11.18
Alopecia of the ventral thorax in a cat with pancreatic paraneoplastic alopecia. Note the shiny appearance of the alopecic skin that is typical of this condition. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_18_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_18.png
11.18
Alopecia of the ventral thorax in a cat with pancreatic paraneoplastic alopecia. Note the shiny appearance of the alopecic skin that is typical of this condition.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig19
11.19
Alopecia and mild erythema of the left shoulder and thorax in a cat affected by epitheliotropic lymphoma. The focal lesions are biopsy sites. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_19_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_19.png
11.19
Alopecia and mild erythema of the left shoulder and thorax in a cat affected by epitheliotropic lymphoma. The focal lesions are biopsy sites.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig20
11.20
Generalized alopecia in a cat with feline immunodeficiency virus infection. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_20_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_20.png
11.20
Generalized alopecia in a cat with feline immunodeficiency virus infection.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig21
11.21
Injection site reaction with well circumscribed partial alopecia and focal miliary crusting, typically affecting the dorsocervical interscapular region. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_21_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_21.png
11.21
Injection site reaction with well circumscribed partial alopecia and focal miliary crusting, typically affecting the dorsocervical interscapular region.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig22
11.22
Feline tail gland hyperplasia (stud tail) with partial alopecia, matted hairs, scales and follicular casts. This entire male Norwegian Forest cat lived in a cattery and was used for breeding. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_22_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_22.png
11.22
Feline tail gland hyperplasia (stud tail) with partial alopecia, matted hairs, scales and follicular casts. This entire male Norwegian Forest cat lived in a cattery and was used for breeding.
/content/figure/10.22233/9781905319886.chap11.ch11fig23
11.23
Feline idiopathic ulcerative dermatitis. Note the well demarcated ulceration with full thickness necrotic crust. A hypersensitivity reaction to a component injected subcutaneously was proposed as the cause of the condition. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_23_thumb.gif
10.22233/9781905319886/fig11_23.png
11.23
Feline idiopathic ulcerative dermatitis. Note the well demarcated ulceration with full thickness necrotic crust. A hypersensitivity reaction to a component injected subcutaneously was proposed as the cause of the condition.