Alopecia: What to Do When the Endocrine Skin Tests Are Normal?
May 2021
in “
British Small Animal Veterinary Association eBooks
”
alopecia hypothyroidism hyperadrenocorticism hyperoestrogenism multifocal alopecias endocrinopathies symmetrical hair loss diffuse hair loss follicular dysplasias pattern baldness telogen effluvium anagen defluxion hair loss thyroid disorder Cushing's disease excess estrogen patchy hair loss hormonal disorders even hair loss widespread hair loss hair follicle disorders bald spots resting phase hair shedding growth phase hair shedding
TLDR If a dog's skin tests are normal but it has hair loss, consider other non-endocrine causes and choose tests based on the hair loss pattern.
Alopecia, or hair loss, is a common issue in dogs and is often mistakenly attributed solely to endocrine causes like hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, and hyperoestrogenism. However, the study emphasizes that there are numerous other conditions that can result in alopecia. Recognizing different patterns of canine alopecia can help clinicians formulate a more accurate differential diagnosis list, which can guide the selection of appropriate tests. For instance, multifocal alopecias are rarely linked with endocrinopathies, so endocrine tests may not be necessary. Symmetrical and diffuse hair loss is typical of an endocrinopathy, but other causes can include follicular dysplasias, pattern baldness, telogen effluvium, and anagen defluxion. Detailed understanding of clinical signs can help prioritize tests and avoid unnecessary ones. The study also notes that there are some rare causes of endocrine alopecia that are challenging to diagnose with basic endocrine tests.
