Alopecia and Coat Disorders: Diagnostic Approaches and Unusual Presentations

Alopecia is defined as lack of hair in normally haired areas. It can range from mild thinning of the coat (hypotrichosis) to complete baldness, and it affects both dogs and cats. While sometimes just a cosmetic issue, alopecia often points to deeper underlying health problems.

A careful, methodical diagnostic approach is key to uncovering the cause, determining the appropriate treatment, and ruling out more serious systemic disease. This course guides you through the process of evaluating alopecia, from the initial clinical signs to diagnosis and treatment - highlighting both common patterns and more unusual presentations.

Topics to be covered include:

• Distinguishing congenital and acquired alopecia
• How to recognize focal, multifocal, or symmetrical hair loss patterns
• The difference between pruritic and non-pruritic cases
• An overview of basic and advanced diagnostic techniques
• A review of treatment strategies tailored to various causes