Vitiligo in dogs, also known as hypopigmentation, is a very rare disease in this species, and for which there is little information. You think your dog has vitiligo? In this Animal Expert article we will explain what it is, what the symptoms are and how the treatment goes.
We will also talk about nasal depravmmentation, as it is a disorder with which vitiligo can be confused, by the similarity of its clinical picture. If you continue reading, you can find out if your dog has vitiligo, as it is important to get an accurate diagnosis.
- Vitiligo is a disorder that causes skin and hair deposition.
- Visible mainly on the face.
- Especially in the snout.
- Lips.
- Nose and eyelids.
- Dogs with vitiligo have all normal pigments at birth.
- But as they grow.
- The color becomes lighter and the pigment that was black turns brown.
- Due to loss of intensity.
It is important to note that the causes of vitiligo in dogs are unclear. Antilelanocyte antibodies are thought to be involved. These antibodies create defenses against their own melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for the production of pigments, such as those that offer the characteristic color of the dog’s nose. Because of their absence, when destroyed, they cause elimination.
Diagnosis of vitiligo in dogs is obtained by a pathological anatomy study to confirm that we are looking at this process. As we will see in the next section, vitiligo can be confused with nasal depravity. In fact, it can be a form of vitiligo in dogs. Note that only one veterinarian can confirm or rule out a diagnosis of vitiligo.
Nasal hair removal can be mistaken for vitiligo in dogs, as we have said. Although these are different processes, there are similarities between them and, therefore, doubts may arise. This depmentation is a syndrome that also has an unknown origin and especially affects the hairless area of the nose. Some breeds seem to have a greater tendency to suffer this depravity, such as the Afghan greyhound, the Samoyed, the Irish setter, the English pointer and the poodle, among others.
As in the case of vitiligo, these dogs were born with a black nose, without being able to notice any difference with dogs without this disorder. And also over time, the intensity of the color is lost until the black turns brown. In some cases, total depravity occurs and, instead of brown, the area acquires a white pinkish area. In some dogs, the pigmentation recovers, that is, the nose is spontaneously darkened again.
Another more common case is that of breeds such as the Siberian husky, the golden retriever or the labrador retriever, in which you can notice the lack of pigmentation in the nose. This phenomenon is known as snow nose or snow nose, and usually occurs only seasonally during the colder months, as the name already indicates. At this point, it is possible to notice that the black pigment of the dog’s nose loses its intensity, although there is no complete de-depmation. After the cold, the color resumes. In this case, it can be said to be a seasonal anomaly.
There is no treatment for vitiligo in dogs. Lack of pigment is just an aesthetic problem. It seems that there are several home remedies to restore pigmentation, but none have been shown to be effective. However, if the dog has no pigments, the guardian must be careful and protect it from the sun, otherwise he may suffer burns. You can apply sunscreens, always as prescribed by your veterinarian.
Discover also this beautiful story about Rowdy, a dog with vitiligo and a child with the same disease:
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to Vitiligo in dogs: treatment, causes and symptoms, we recommend that you visit our Skin Problems section.