What causes a dog to lose pigment?

Hormonal disorders (imbalances of thyroid, adrenal or sex hormones) can alter pigmentation as can bacterial and fungal infections and even cancers (neoplasias). Immune-mediated diseases also occur in dogs where the dog’s own antibodies attack different parts of the skin resulting in depigmentation.

What does losing pigment mean?

Vitiligo is a condition in which the skin loses its pigment cells (melanocytes). This can result in discolored patches in different areas of the body, including the skin, hair and mucous membranes. Vitiligo (vit-ih-LIE-go) is a disease that causes loss of skin color in patches.

Can dogs skin pigment change?

The skin and coat of a dog may sometimes change color, becoming lighter or darker. This may be a normal process or may be due to a serious disease. If the skin or coat has a color other than white, it is said to be pigmented.

What age does vitiligo start in dogs?

It can develop at any age, but 70–80\% of cases arise before the age of 30 with an onset before the age of 12 years being common (up to 37\% of patients in one study) [17]. In the dog, rottweiler and doberman pinscher dogs (in the USA) as well as collies are thought to be predisposed to vitiligo [11, 21].

Is vitiligo bad for dogs?

Although your dog or cat may start to look a little funny with patches of white skin and fur, there is no need to worry. Vitiligo is painless and won’t bother your pet at all.

Can lost skin pigment be restored?

There is no cure. Treatment may include covering smaller patches with long-lasting dyes, light-sensitive medicines, UV light therapy, corticosteroid creams, surgery, and removing the remaining pigment from the skin (depigmentation).

Does skin lose pigment as you age?

With aging, the outer skin layer (epidermis) thins, even though the number of cell layers remains unchanged. The number of pigment-containing cells (melanocytes) decreases. The remaining melanocytes increase in size. Aging skin looks thinner, paler, and clear (translucent).

How common is vitiligo in dogs?

Can hyperpigmentation be permanent?

Keep in mind that hyperpigmentation does not always fade. Even with treatment, some hyperpigmentation will be permanent. Without any treatment at all, it can take 3 to 24 months to see improvement.

Is vitiligo common in dogs?

Tri-County Animal Hospital noted that vitiligo is common in dog breeds such as “Belgian Tervuren, German shepherd dogs, Doberman pinschers, rottweilers, German shorthaired pointer, Old English sheepdog, and dachshunds.” Siamese cats may be predisposed as well.

Why is my dog losing pigment on her nose?

The weather: The most common reason a dog’s nose loses its pigment is called winter nose or snow nose. Some dog’s noses change colors from a dark color to pink in cold weather; turning dark once again when the weather gets warmer. Snow nose seems to be directly related to the temperature and is harmless to the dog.

When do dogs show signs of vitiligo?

Affected Animals: Although any animal or breed can be affected, vitiligo has an increased incidence in Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, Belgian Tervurens and Siamese cats. Clinical signs: Symptoms usually begin in young adulthood. Patchy areas of pigment loss may involve the skin, hair or both.

Why is my dogs nose turning white?

Vitiligo is an immune disease in dogs that will cause a pink nose, but dogs with vitiligo will commonly have white patches or hairs throughout the rest of their bodies. In animals with vitiligo, antibodies are formed against pigment-containing cells that are responsible for nose color.

Why do dogs change color?

The first potential cause of color changes in dogs is from a condition referred to as color dilution or mutant alopecia. This is believed to be an inherited condition that affects dogs with blue or diluted black skin and coats, or with fawn coat colorations.

What makes a dog’s nose change color?

What can make a dog’s nose change color? Internal causes. Autoimmune/systemic diseases. Dudley Nose. The main symptom of this genetic anomaly is the discoloration of a dog’s nose. Allergies. Some dogs have a higher tendency than other animals to develop allergies. External causes for depigmented noses. Dogs are more sensitive to sunlight than humans.

What is hyperpigmentation in dogs?

Hyperpigmentation means a darkening of the skin, where more pigment is visible. This is obviously more dramatic in dogs with light skin and fur. Most cases of skin darkening in a dog are secondary to other skin conditions or metabolic problems such as allergy, infection or endocrine disorders.