Diagnosis of alopecia in dogs and cats

Alopecia in pets is a common reason for consultation. As all conditions affecting the skin, hair loss is usually striking and causes discomfort to pet owners, not only due to cosmetic reasons but also due to the consequences on their pets health. This book is intended as a highly visual guide on how to diagnose alopecia in dogs and cats, in a structured and methodical manner, based on the distribution pattern and lesions. The large number of images, diagrams, tables and drawings, coupled with clear and practical descriptions, will allow readers to make the most of this work in day-to-day dermatology consultations.

CONTENTS

1.    Hair cycle and structure of the pilosebaceous unit in carnivores
    Introduction
    Anatomical segments and follicular structure
    Hair cycle
    Haircoat colour and type in dogs
    Haircoat colour and type in cats
    References
2.    Diagnostic methods. Microscopic examination of hair
    Introduction
    Technique
    Normal hair
    Changes in hair composition and structure
    Infectious and parasitic agents
    Skin biopsy in alopecia
    Definition of clinical and histopathological lesions in cases of alopecia
    References
3.    Diagnostic approach based on clinical signs
    Introduction
    Inflammatory focal and multifocal alopecia in dogs
    Generalised or diffuse noninflammatory alopecia in dogs
    Focal and multifocal alopecia in cats
    Symmetrical alopecia in cats
    References
4.    Focal and multifocal inflammatory alopecia in dogs
    Introduction
    Focal and multifocal alopecia in dogs
    Focal and multifocal inflammatory alopecia of parasitic or infectious origin
    Focal and multifocal inflammatory alopecia of autoimmune origin
    Traumatic focal or multifocal inflammatory alopecia
    Focal or multifocal inflammatory alopecia of vascular origin
    Neoplastic focal and multifocal inflammatory alopecia
    Focal and multifocal inflammatory alopecia of nutritional origin
    References
5.    Focal and multifocal noninflammatory alopecia in dogs
    Hair cycle disorders
    Follicular destruction
    Keratinisation defects
    Follicular dysplasia and other hereditary forms of alopecia
    Alopecia due to malnutrition
    Excessive shedding
    References
6.    Generalised noninflammatory alopecia in dogs
    Congenital and hereditary alopecia
    References
7.    Self-induced alopecia in feline species
    Alopecia in cats
    Self-induced alopecia caused by pruritus
    Self-induced alopecia caused by behavioural disorders
    References
8.    Spontaneous focal, multifocal, or diffuse alopecia in cats
    Alopecia due to follicular inflammation
    Congenital, atrophic, degenerative, and neoplastic processes and hair cycle disorders
    References
Appendix: Practical notes on canine and feline alopecia
    Classification of alopecia in dogs
    Inflammatory alopecia in dogs: diagnostic clues
    Noninflammatory alopecia in dogs: diagnostic clues
    Diagnostic protocol in dogs
    Classification of alopecia in cats
    Self-induced alopecia in cats: diagnostic clues
    Spontaneous alopecia in cats: diagnostic clues
    Diagnostic protocol in cats

Ana María Ríos Boeta

Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the Universidad Complutense, Madrid. Doctor of Veterinary Sciences and Masters in Research Methodology in Health Sciences from Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio. Accredited in Dermatology by AVEPA (Spanish Association of Small Animal Specialists) and recipient of a Masters in Dermatology from the ESAVS (European School of Advanced Veterinary Studies).
Coordinator of the Medicine and Surgery Service and Head of Dermatology in the Small Animal Unit, Veterinary Hospital of the Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio (Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid).
Ana Maria Ríos is a full member of the ESVD (European Society of Veterinary Dermatology), a founding member of GEDA (Specialist Dermatology Group of AVEPA), and has been a board member of AVEPA and president of the GEDA. She has also served as director of the scientific committee of AMVAC (Association of Companion Animal Veterinary Medicine, Madrid).