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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Congenital hypotrichosis in a Percheron draught horse.

Journal:
Veterinary dermatology
Year:
2001
Authors:
Valentine, B A et al.
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical Sciences · United States
Species:
horse

Plain-English summary

A blue roan Percheron foal was born with patchy hair loss on its body and legs, which got worse over the first year of its life. Despite this, the foal's teeth and hooves developed normally. A skin biopsy taken when the foal was 7 months old showed that the hair follicles were severely underdeveloped, but other skin structures were normal. Now at 6 years old, the horse is alive and healthy, although it is smaller than typical for its breed. The findings suggest that the foal has a condition called congenital hypotrichosis, which means it was born with a genetic issue affecting hair growth.

Abstract

A blue roan Percheron foal was born with poorly circumscribed patchy alopecia of the trunk and legs. Teeth and hoof development were normal. Alopecia was progressive, becoming almost complete by 1 year of age. Histopathological findings in a skin biopsy obtained at 7 months of age were consistent with severe follicular hypoplasia. Sebaceous glands, epitrichial sweat glands and arrector pilae muscles were normal. The horse is alive and otherwise well at 6 years of age, although adult stature is considered small for this breed. The clinical history and histopathological findings are most consistent with a form of congenital hypotrichosis.

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Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11493406/