Why is my collie losing his hair?
QMy one- year- old collie cross started losing hair on his sides when he was six months old. It has gradually got worse, but strangely the white hairs have not been lost. My vet suspects dilution alopecia and has sent skin biopsies to be tested. Have you come across this condition before?
It’s significant that the white hairs are unaffected. If your dog has a blue coat then the suspicions of your vet are probably correct. A report from the biopsies will be the key to confirming the diagnosis.
The full name is colour dilution alopecia and it tends to occur as an inherited condition in dogs with a so- called dilute colour coat – typically blue or fawn. Blue is considered a dilution of a black coat colour and fawn of brown. It doesn’t occur in all dogs with these colours and is most common in dobermans, but can occur in other breeds with a blue or fawn coat.
The problem first shows up early in the dog’s life. Affected hairs metabolise melanin abnormally, leading to pigment clumping in the hair shafts. The hair becomes fragile, prone to infection and subsequently breaks. Over time, colour- dilute areas will become bald, with non- dilute regions staying normal.
Antibacterial shampoos and moisturising agents will usually keep an affected dog comfortable and prevent secondary infection. Ask your vet for further advice.
AA cat in our street died from antifreeze poisoning this week. What warning signs should I look out for in my cats and can I do anything to prevent it? A
Unfortunately this is a frequent problem with the onset of colder weather. Inadequate precautions when handling and disposing of antifreeze cause the majority of cases of poisoning.
Cats, dogs and children are all susceptible, with cats being unable to tolerate even small amounts.
Ethylene glycol, the active ingredient in antifreeze, has a sweet taste that attracts cats, but even licking off accidental contamination from their coat or paws can be lethal.
Early symptoms occur within three hours of ingestion and include dullness, vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite.
There may be a temporary improvement on the second day, before signs of kidney failure such as increased thirst, urination and shallow breathing develop on the third day. This is caused by crystals of calcium oxalate being deposited in the kidneys.
Once these symptoms are present, the outlook for the cat is poor, even with intensive fluid therapy.
Early treatment, preferably within a few hours of the cat ingesting antifreeze, offers the best chance of recovery. This consists of continuous fluid therapy to flush out the kidneys.
There is also an antidote that is reported to be effective if it is administered within three hours, but it is not always available.
If your cat has access outdoors, you have to rely on the good sense of your neighbours, and could always ask them to be especially careful when they handle antifreeze.
David Grant MBE was a vet at the RSPCA Harmsworth Hospital for Animals. Email questions to him at pamperedpets@ express. co. uk.
He is unable to enter into individual correspondence.