Alopecia in dogs causes,incidance and clinical signs with special reference to nutritional alopecia

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the various causes and prevalence of various dermatological disorders that induce alopecia in dogs during the period from July 2019 to June 2021. Out of 485 from 2225 (21.7%) dog cases reported in clinic of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University in addition to some private clinics in Zagazig, Cairo and El-Obour city. Dogs had different dermatological disorders with alopecia. Mange was the most common dermatological disorder followed by flea infestation then pruritus due to tick infestation, dermatitis, food allergic reaction, Nutritional alopecia dermatophytosis and pyoderma were the less common causes. Dermatological disorders were reported throughout the year but were more common in the summer (38.8%), spring (30.3%) and were less common in the autumn and winter (17.1%& 13.8%) respectively. The canines less than a one year were the ones who suffered the most (36.3% %). Alopecia affects (59.7%) of male dogs and 40.2 %of female canines. During the study period, epidemiological analysis of alopecia, data revealed an increasing skin disorder among dogs, which could be due to increased awareness among dog owners about their pets' health, an increase in the pet population, or the environment becoming more favorable for the various etiological agents of skin disorders causing alopecia. There was a significant decrease of Hb. content, PCV, RBCs and WBCs in dogs with nutritional alopecia. Nutritional alopecia occurs mainly due to deficiency of copper “Cu” and zinc “Zn”.