Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Coat and skin differences in Pomeranians with and without Alopecia X
By van Hensbergen, Ilse et al.Ā·Published in Veterinary dermatologyĀ·2026Ā·IVC Evidensia Referral Hospital EDZ Arnhem, NetherlandsĀ·View original on PubMed ā
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Original publication title: Histological and Trichographic Differences Between Coat Types in Non-Alopecic Pomeranians and With Alopecia X.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Pomeranians with a condition called Alopecia X (AX), which causes hair loss, was studied to understand differences in their coat types. The dogs with AX had fewer hair follicles and more fragile hair compared to those with shiny or woolly coats. This suggests that the type of coat may be linked to the risk of developing AX. Understanding these differences can help veterinarians diagnose and treat Pomeranians with hair loss more effectively.
People also search for: Pomeranian hair loss treatment Ā· Alopecia X in dogs Ā· Pomeranian coat types differences
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Alopecia X (AX) is common in Pomeranians, and skin histological results support diagnosis. AX dogs may have shiny or woolly coats; the woolly type is implicated as a potential risk indicator. OBJECTIVES: To compare skin histological and trichographic results among Pomeranians with AX, and those unaffected by AX with woolly (W) and shiny (S) coat types. ANIMALS: Seventy-two Pomeranians: 30 AX, 22 W, 20 S. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Skin biopsies were analysed histologically; hair pluckings assessed by trichography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), all blinded. Statistics evaluated follicular group counts, follicle numbers, hair types, anagen follicles and fragility events. Hair cycle staging was analysed descriptively. RESULTS: AX dogs had fewer follicles per group (4.1) than W and S (both 5.1). Anagen stage dominated in S (60.2%), telogen in W (39.4%) and AX (39.8%). Kenogen and atrophic groups were more frequent in AX (4.7% and 10.0%, respectively) than W (1.4% and 3.4%) and S (2.0% and 1.5%). Hair fragility per 10 mg of hairs was highest in AX (85.3), followed by W (53.6) and S (26.3). Trichorrhexis nodosa ratios were for AX 12.39 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.82-31.85) and W 3.60 (95% CI 1.37-9.94) compared to S. No differences in primary-to-secondary hair ratios were found between groups. SEM showed similar round hair morphology across groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Histological and trichographic findings in non-alopecic Pomeranians reveal coat-type differences, which should be considered when diagnosing AX.
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Search related cases āOriginal publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41705568/