Alopecia means baldness or absence of normal body hair. Alopecia X is the present name given to a condition that affects Pomeranians. It or conditions similar is observed in other Nordic breeds. Former names are Black Skin Disease (not the same as in other breeds such as the Dachshunds), Severe Hair Loss Syndrome, Coat Funk, etc.
What is the logic behind the Nordic breeds possibly sharing genetic factors producing similar conditions? Regarding the normal hair re-growth cycle, scientists theorize that some canines have a longer (haired) telogen stage because that would conserve both energy and proteins. Nordic Breeds have a longer (haired) telogen stage than other breeds because they need a thick hair coat to survive the cold and need to conserve the protein within hair during the winter months when sources of protein may be difficult to obtain. A long telogen stage can be thought of as a long period of suspended hair growth.
Poms which have Alopecia X usually have a normal coat when they are a puppy. Alopecia X can start to manifest during its adolescence or be late onset. Alopecia X is a patterned baldness, meaning it is dorsally symmetric. Thinning of coat usually starts on the backs of their thighs, anus area, under their tail along the spine, underbelly, and in proximity to the genitals. This condition can progress until there is only fur on their head and paws. This thinning of coat is first noticed by seemingly loss of melatonin in the hair itself; that is, loss of orange color and lushness (moisture content). Their hair in the affected area becomes dryer, more cottony. Both males and females can be affected; but there seemingly is a larger number of affected males in the overall Pom population. All colors of coats are equally affected.
Some dogs never regain their coat; others have responded to various treatments at least for a varying length of time. Methods have included change of diet, skin stimulating shampoos or ointments, melatonin, castration, or other hormonal or endocrine treatments.
Presently it is still not known if Alopecia X is one condition which manifests slightly differently or a group of conditions that manifest themselves similarly. The bald skin can turn various degrees of blackness. It may have small flecks of black pigment or be completely solid black. If the Pom recoats, the blackness goes away. As the solid black peels away, normal looking skin is then exposed as it recoats. Some cases have an oily residue noticeable; others, a dryness. Most show no signs of personality or other physical change; while others are more lethargic or become progressively apprehensive about normal life stimulus.
As you have just read, Alopecia X is a difficult condition to accurately describe. There is no medical test for this condition. There are many other conditions that it can be confused with.A veterinarian must test and eliminate all other possible causes before the Pom is defined to have Alopecia X, a baldness of unknown origin and cause.
A good website to visit is Dr. Linda Frank’s at the University of Tennessee. She has been the recipient of several grants relating to the clinical aspects of Alopecia X.
