Vitiligo in dogs is not so uncommon as it has been reported in some breeds like Rottweilers and German shepherds. A patchy skin coat and fur with discolouration is its typical symptom. Why this happens in dogs is not clearly understood but in this article, you will learn about what causes vitiligo in dogs, the symptoms and treatment.
Stop Googling - Ask a Real Vet
Content:
Can Dogs Have Vitiligo
Dogs could have vitiligo just like humans and cats. It is not strange to notice this on your dog at some point of its lifetime especially when it is a prone breed like the Rottweiler. Some research has proven that Belgian Tervuerens are highly prone to Vitiligo followed by Rottweilers and Labradors.
I have firsthand seen instances where dogs develop vitiligo and are brought to the clinic. Usually, dog parents mistake it for mange or other skin conditions. But on a closer look, it is just vitiligo and nothing necessarily serious. Vitiligo is painless and would not affect the dog’s normal life activities, rather it only changes its look.
“Vitiligo is a condition that can affect any breed of dog, causing white patches of the skin and fur due to loss of pigment cells”, - Reddit User
With a Petcube Camera, you can easily notice symptoms of white patchy skin or fur when placed on your dog or around the house at strategic places of feeding or resting.
Vitiligo in Dogs Causes and Symptoms
Vitiligo is most likely linked to hereditary traits as some dog breeds are often reported with vitiligo. Some dog breeds are more prone to vitiligo because of a past family history of vitiligo. These dog breeds may include:
- Tervuerens
- Rottweilers
- Labradors
- Golden Retrievers
- Dachshunds
- Siberian Huskies
- German Shepherds
- Doberman Pinscher
- Sheep Dogs
It has been stipulated in some studies that vitiligo occurs in these breeds of dogs due to an autoimmune condition. This condition affects and kills the skin melanocytes which leads to depigmentation of the skin coat and fur. Other factors like stress, toxins, underlying health condition or a neurological condition can predispose dogs to vitiligo.
An underlying health condition could also predispose dogs to vitiligo and increase their chances of getting it. Health conditions that could lead to vitiligo in dogs may include:
- Nutritional imbalance
- Metabolic disorder
- Leukoderma
- Tumour
- Hypothyroidism
- Discoid lupus erythematosus
It's a no-brainer to identify symptoms of vitiligo, they are easily noticeable as white patches on the coat or fur. This discolouration may start from the face, eyes, nose and lips and spread to other parts of the body like the flanks and paws. In about 6 months, vitiligo would have spread to many parts of the body and would now be very noticeable.
Though older dogs are most likely to develop vitiligo due to dying melanocytes, cases of younger dogs developing this condition have also been reported. There are rarely other accompanying symptoms except if there is an underlying health condition. If there are, symptoms like fatigue and dullness are noticed.
Vitiligo in Dogs Treatment
Vitiligo should be treated from the standpoint of aetiology and diagnosis. To treat vitiligo in dogs, a proper history should be taken and samples such as blood and skin scraping collected by the Veterinarian to ascertain the actual cause of the condition.
“Vitiligo (hypopigmentation) in dogs is a harmless aesthetic condition that has no specific treatment”, - Dr. Josep Campmany
If vitiligo is hereditary, little or nothing could be done about it other than improving the diet of the dog by supplementing it with Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin C. Also, exposing the dog to more healthy sunlight would enhance the production of new melanocytes and would in turn lead to re-pigmentation.
For vitiligo caused by an autoimmune condition, an immunosuppressant may be recommended by the Veterinarian. Other management practices include; removing environmental riggers and giving your dog enough rest.
Treating an underlying condition alongside vitiligo can be demanding financially but with the Petcube Emergency Fund, you can give your pet the best shot at recovering by signing up using the exclusive link and enjoying up to $3000 coverage in vet fees and a 27% discount upon registration.
Conclusion
It is not uncommon for dogs to have vitiligo, this could be as a result of hereditary factors or environmental triggers. This condition is not life-threatening and could be managed with recommendations from the Vet. Knowing your dog breed is prone to vitiligo will get you prepared and ready when it eventually happens. Consulting a Vet should be the first step when vitiligo is noticed.