Injection Site Alopecia

      Alopecia means loss of hair. Although there are many causes of hair loss in a pet, focal loss of hair may be due to injections.
      Some pet owners may first notice a small round or oval patch of hair loss, usually in the shoulder or neck region. This is generally the site where injection are given.
      These injections may be rabies or distemper/parvo vaccines, corticosteriods or other injectable compounds. In some cases, the use of injected steroids can cause the hair follicles to atrophy and hair to fall out. In most cases, hair will regrow when the follicle is no longer influenced by the steroid levels.
      Rabies vaccine injections may affect any dog but is more commonly seen in certain breeds: small-breeds, especially Poodles. Bichon Frises, Shih Tzus and Yorkshire and Silky Terriers.
      Hair loss from an injection usually begins to occur within a few months but may not be obvious for up to 6 months. This extended period of time causes some owners to overlook the correlation of the vaccine injection to the affected area.
      In some cases widespread hair loss will continue to involve the back and limbs, fortunately, this is a relatively uncommon condition. It may take months and up to year for hair to regrow and the hair may return darker or lighter from its original color. In the case of rabies vaccine reactions, the hair loss is often permanent.
      The effects of the condition are primarily cosmetic. Treatment is supportive although a medication called pentoxifylline may help to increase the blood flow into the area and allow for better oxygen penetration to the hair follicle to help with improving the possibility of hair growth. Surgical removal of the residual scar can be performed in some cases. Identification and avoidance of the likely trigger is important to prevent additional reactions and possible more severe reactions upon subsequent exposure.

Article Highlights Role of Veterinary Specialists

      Animal Dermatology Clinic was highlighted in the recent article “The Specialist’s Role in Veterinary Healthcare”, Debra Channick, PhD. The article was published in The Courier, the official magazine of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America.
      Dr. Channick interviews a number of veterinary specialists as well as general medicine veterinarians and discusses the growing role of the specialist as an extension of pet care through the primary veterinarian.
Veterinary specialists may invest in equipment that cost tens of thousands of dollars but it is impractical for the general veterinarian to purchase such equipment when possibly it will be used intermittently. When the general veterinarian encounters a difficult or unusual case, it may be a routine patient due to the volume that similar cases are frequently seen with a specialist.
      The primary veterinarian is the first step in the routine and general health of a pet. Regular check-ups with the primary veterinarian are advised to monitor and identify changes in your pet’s health and to address those issues early when they are potentially easier to treat. But should an illness or condition become chronic or beyond the scope of the primary veterinarian, the resources of a veterinary specialist are readily available.

(To read the full article The Specialist’s Role in Veterinary Healthcare, please go to www.animaldermatology.com and look under Tips & Information.)