Our greyhound is losing his hair

PET’S ODD LOCALISED BALDNESS HAS OWNER

QOur female neutered rescue greyhound has developed a big bald patch. We think she is about four years old. The baldness is on the back and sides of her hind legs and abdomen. The skin on the backs of the legs is darker than elsewhere. She seems very well otherwise, and we hadn’t thought of bothering our vet.

AI expect your vet would be pleased to have a look, perhaps as part of an annual check-up. It is always interesting to see cases like this. Greyhounds make lovely family pets, and patients too.

Providing that your dog is not itchy, lethargic or drinking excessively, and is otherwise well, there doesn’t appear to be any immediate urgency.

There is a condition virtually identical to your description that can occur in greyhounds. It usually starts in early adulthood and gradually gets worse.

Alopecia begins on the backs of the hind legs, spreads to the sides of the legs and later these dogs develop a bald abdomen.

The skin in the area is not inflamed or infected, and the condition does not bother the dog.

With time the skin on the back of the legs becomes darker.

These are all typical features of a hormonal alopecia, but there is no known hormonal abnormality or effective treatment. It is therefore described as a “cosmetic” disease, although hair loss is usually permanent.

The condition is called idiopathic bald thigh syndrome of greyhounds – the idiopathic bit means no identifiable cause can be found.

Q

You recently warned of the dangers of corneal ulcers in cats and that untreated they can lead to blindness. How does blindness occur in these cases and are there any warning signs?

ACorneal ulcers and wounds can be the result of viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, as well as foreign bodies such as grass or thorns. They can also be caused by fighting, especially in unneutered tom cats. Neutering reduces fighting by more than 80%.

The first warning sign is a painful eye, with discharge and squinting. This should prompt a veterinary visit as soon as possible, preferably the same day you notice these symptoms.

The cornea has various layers and the deepest layer is called the Descemet’s membrane. This is the last line of defence before the cornea ruptures.

It is tougher than the other layers and if a wound or ulcer penetrates to this level it often bulges through the damaged cornea before rupturing.

This can be seen as what looks like a bubble in the front of the eye, and is an emergency. If the cornea breaks down, fluid escapes from the anterior chamber and draws with it the iris. This is the structure that gives the eye its colour, and with corneal rupture it may stick to the back of the cornea.

The result will be failure of the anterior chamber fluid to drain, and a build up of intraocular pressure, called glaucoma. Blindness will be caused in two ways – by light being unable to pass through the damaged cornea and by retinal damage due to glaucoma.

APPARENTLY HEALTHY