TLDR The hair coat disorder in Schipperkes is similar to Alopecia X and involves increased androstenedione levels and hair cycle arrest.
The study described and characterized a hair coat disorder in schipperkes, presenting as bilaterally symmetrical alopecia with no systemic clinical signs, resembling Alopecia X. It involved 11 schipperkes (3 healthy and 8 affected) and included comprehensive blood tests, hormone analyses, and skin biopsies. Results showed normal CBC, serum chemistry, UA, T4, fT4ed, TSH, and post-ACTH cortisol levels. However, increased concentrations of androstenedione, estradiol, progesterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were observed in both healthy and affected dogs, particularly post-ACTH stimulation. Histopathology indicated hair cycle arrest in affected dogs, supporting the clinical and histological resemblance to Alopecia X.
18 citations
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October 2017 in “PLOS ONE” The study concluded that similar pathways regulate hair growth in dogs and mice, and these pathways are disrupted in dogs with Alopecia X, affecting stem cells and hormone metabolism.
10 citations
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September 2013 in “Veterinary dermatology” Medroxyprogesterone injections caused hair regrowth in some dogs with alopecia X.
28 citations
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May 2012 in “Veterinary Dermatology” Different types of dog hair loss are linked to problems starting the hair growth phase and early hair cycle ending.
34 citations
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July 2006 in “Clinics in dermatology” Endocrine diseases in dogs often cause skin problems, with hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism being common and leading to hair loss and infections.
21 citations
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May 2005 in “Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association” The exact cause of growth hormone-responsive alopecia in dogs is unclear.
52 citations
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October 2004 in “Veterinary dermatology” Melatonin and mitotane treatment led to hair re-growth in 62% of dogs with Alopecia X, but this was not always linked to normal hormone levels.
34 citations
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March 2003 in “Veterinary Dermatology” Most dogs with alopecia had higher than normal levels of certain hormones, but hair loss might not always be linked to these hormone changes.
