What are the signs of seasonal alopecia?
Seasonal flank alopecia in dogs can occur from the ages of 1 to 10, however, most cases begin to develop between the ages of 3 and 6.
Some of the most common clinical signs include:
At the end of the day, nobody knows your dog as well as you do. If you suspect that your furry friend has canine flank alopecia or is exhibiting symptoms, it’s best to contact your local vet and get a professional opinion. The sooner you pick up on any problems, the faster your dog’s seasonal alopecia can be treated.
Before seasonal alopecia in dogs is diagnosed, your veterinarian may want to rule out other possible causes behind the hair loss. This involves some routine blood work to eliminate the possibility of a hormonal disease, or skin scrapes to rule out possible cases of ringworm or fungal cultures.
If your vet wants to confirm that your dog has seasonal alopecia, they will conduct a skin biopsy. In most cases, seasonal flank alopecia is easily diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and whether your dog is a predisposed breed.
Symptoms of Flank Alopecia in Dogs
Types
There are two different types of seasonal flank alopecia. Both types are non-inflammatory, which produce no itching or scratching.
Diagnosis of Flank Alopecia in Dogs
Most dogs show signs between November and March each year. If your dog is showing symptoms, he will need to be examined by a veterinarian. Clinical signs and symptoms will be noted, and pigmented bald spots will be identified. Your dog’s breed will be considered, as well as the time of year. Skin biopsies may be necessary, which may detect follicular atrophy (white bumps), comedones (canine acne), epidermal thickness, and hyperpigmentation of the skin. Other diseases and disorders such as Cushing’s disease, thyroid disease, parasites, mites, and bacteria will be ruled out by appropriate testing. The average age of the diagnosis of seasonal flank alopecia is 4 years old.