What is cause of pooch's hair loss?

PAMPERED PETS DR DAVID GRANT Our vet offers his advice

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My three-year-old male Pomeranian has lost hair on his trunk, tail, neck and abdomen, but his head and front limbs don't seem to be affected. The skin is black where he is bald. My vet has run some tests to rule out hormonal problems and has sent a biopsy off to a laboratory. She thinks the condition is alopecia X. Are these signs typical and is there a specific cause?

I agree with your vet's preliminary diagnosis. The dog’s problem does seem to fit with alopecia X, a condition that’s not very well understood. This is reflected by the number of names that have been given to it since it was first described in 1977 - nine to my knowledge. This suggests that the cause is not known, although research is ongoing.