title: Alopecia areata universalis in a dog.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alopecia areata is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease that occurs in humans and various other mammalian species. When the disease progresses to total alopecia it is defined as alopecia areata universalis (AAU), although this outcome has only been described in humans.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe a case of canine alopecia areata universalis and its clinical outcome after 22 months of follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 9-year-old intact male cross-breed hunting dog was presented with generalized and complete noninflammatory alopecia of 12-14 months duration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical examination; histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of skin biopsies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was loss of all body hair including eyelashes and vibrissae. The histopathological and immunohistochemical findings supported a diagnosis of long-standing alopecia areata. Treatment with oral ciclosporin was associated with hair regrowth but muzzle hair, most eyelashes and whiskers were still lacking after 17 months of therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To the best of the author's knowledge this is the first documented case of canine AAU. The clinical and histopathological features were consistent with a diagnosis of AAU as defined in humans. Treatment with oral ciclosporin resulted in near complete resolution of the alopecia, but after 5 months without treatment the alopecia did not relapse and spontaneous resolution cannot be ruled out.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14014, Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: Pedro J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Ginel
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14014, Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14014, Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pérez-Aranda
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathology, University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14014, Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zafra
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathology, University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14014, Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mozos
mesh_terms: D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine