From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-03-29 21:55:00 UTC
Subject: Re: ??Adrenal?? For Dr Williams and anyone who can help
> >
> > > I have a question for you! over night about a week ago Rangi
> > > lost a small patch of hair about the size of a 10 cent piece on
his back
> > > and the skin (Normally pink) has tiny brown specks on it. The
skin is
> > > still smooth and it doesn't seem to hurt him or at least he
doesn't seem
> > > to be bothered if I touch it! Anyway it's hung around now for
about a
> > > week or so and doesn't seem to be going away, it's not getting
any worse
> > > but it's not getting better!
> > >
> > > What could it be and will the hair grow back?
> > >
Whenever you have hair loss on the trunk without evidence of trauma,
adrenal disease has to be considered in the diagnosis. If this animal
is from NZ, of course, that would make it less likely. The black
specks are most likely follicles that are producing new hair shafts,
or could be follicles filled with keratin debris (blackheads - also
known as comedones).
Focal hair loss can also be the result of ringworm, but this is
usually a scaly patch with broken hair shafts. Parasites can also do
this. A good skin scraping would help in this case.
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
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