Clinicopathologic and Morphologic Analysis of the Adrenal Gland in Pomeranians with Non-Illness Alopecia

The study analyzed 51 Pomeranians with non-illness alopecia, using MRI scans, clinicopathologic analysis, and skin biopsies. Laboratory tests showed slight elevations in PCV, ALT, AST, ALP, and blood glucose, with some dogs showing an exaggerated response to ACTH stimulation and inadequate suppression to low-dose dexamethasone, but normal TSH responses. Skin biopsies from 18 dogs revealed mild epidermal thinning, hyperkeratosis, follicular atrophy, and thinning of subcutaneous adipose tissue. MRI scans of 14 affected dogs and 3 controls showed no differences in adrenal gland size or pituitary abnormalities. The study concluded that abnormal adrenal steroidogenesis was not a cause of alopecia, suggesting a breed- or family-specific hormonal constitution as a potential factor.