Histomorphological Changes of the Skin and Hair Follicles Caused by Different Diseases in Dogs with Alopecia

The study conducted in Vilnius, Lithuania, aimed to analyze histomorphological changes in the skin and hair follicles of dogs with alopecia caused by various diseases. The research involved examining skin samples from dogs with conditions such as iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism, symmetrical alopecia, color dilution alopecia, dermatomyositis, sebaceous adenitis, lupus, folliculitis, and allergic dermatitis. Key findings included keratinocyte atrophy and hyperkeratinization in hyperadrenocorticism, melanin deposits and follicular atrophy in symmetrical alopecia, and epidermal hyperkeratinization in color dilution alopecia. Dermatomyositis showed inflammatory infiltration and follicular atrophy, while sebaceous adenitis presented with intense epidermal hyperkeratosis and follicular inflammation. Lupus was characterized by keratinocyte hyperplasia and depigmentation, folliculitis by epidermal hyperkeratinization, and allergic dermatitis by epidermal hyperkeratinization and dermal inflammation. The study highlighted distinct histomorphological patterns associated with each condition.