FC-9 Coat Funk in Alaskan Malamutes

The study aimed to identify distinguishing clinical and laboratory features of a condition known as coat funk in Alaskan malamutes. It involved 5 dogs with normal coats and 5 with coat funk, examining them through physical exams, skin biopsies, and various laboratory tests. The only consistent clinical difference was the degree of hair loss on the dorsal neck, tail, and trunk in affected dogs. However, the analyses did not consistently differentiate between normal and affected dogs, nor did they distinguish coat funk from other hair loss conditions. The study suggested that the inability to differentiate could be due to a lack of real differences, limitations of the procedures, or the small sample size. It concluded that more extensive studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to better understand the condition.