Question for breeders or...
 

Question for breeders or those who know about Yorkie genetics:

I recently adopted a rescue Yorkie that has flesh colored eye rims and lips but a black nose. She has some itching and hairloss that the vet attributed to allergies, but in my research about allergies and skin issues I found out about the condition called Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA) and I am now afraid that it may be what my dog has. I would like to know two things:

1- Does the fact that she has flesh colored eye rims and lips mean she automatically has CDA?

2- She has some hairloss on her head which is blonde not blue. Does that rule out CDA?

Anything you know for sure about the condition may help in some way so I welcome your opinions and advice.

I honestly thought about returning her to the rescuer but my heart won't let me, so now it is all about helping her feel better (and if possible, look better too).

I will post pictures separately.

Hairloss on head where hair is blonde.

Hairloss along back.

Are you sure that her nose is a dark jet black and not dark blue? Dogs with color dilution alopecia usually have dark blue noses. The light color of her fur certain looks like this could be CDA. The blonde hair on the head does NOT rule out CDA. The mutation that causes CDA lightens the color of the hair and skin, but it does not change the hair color. There is genetic testing for CDA, so that is something that you should definitely look into. Here is a link for a company that does the testing. The cost of the test is $80:

https://www.pawprintgenetics.com/pro...s/49/?breed=53

Here is a link to an article about CDA. If you get a referral to a veterinary dermatologist, they will be able to do the necessary testing and let you know for sure if this is CDA. Good luck, and keep us posted!

Colour Dilution Alopecia - WikiVet

Here's one more article:

Color Dilution Alopecia | Dermatology for Animals - Part 1

Definitely see a veterinary dermatologist to get an accurate diagnosis, because there are other things that can cause baldness in Yorkies that are more treatable, such as allergies, ringworm, etc.

If it does turn out to be CDA, don't worry too much, because your dog can still live a full, healthy life. You would just have to take extra steps to maintain her skin and keep her comfortable. Thanks for taking care of her!

Here is a link to a veterinary dermatologist in Guaynabo who might be able to help you:

Jose Marcos Vega, DVM | Veterinarians Guaynabo, Puerto Rico | Centro Medico Veterinario

(I know that part of Puerto Rico like the back of my hand :)).

Thank you so much for your responses. I will definitely get her tested now that I know who to go to. As for the nose, i put it next to my Schnauzer's nose and they both look the same shade of black. Could it be that they are born with a blue nose that turns black later on? She is currently 10 months old.

That's possible--I've only seen photos of dogs with CDA, and some of their noses are quite dark in color. I hope that the dermatologist is able to figure out what is wrong with your dog and is able to treat her so she is happier and more comfortable! Keep us posted on what you find out, because this information will help others with the same problem!

I called the place but the secretary who answered the phone said they don't do that test there. She said she would call me when she speaks to the doctor to see if he knows where I can get the test done.

Okay. Besides the DNA test, the doctor can also take a look at the hair follicles to help figure out what's going on. I'm sure the doctor will have more answers, but the testing site that I provided a link to will do the test for $80, and I believe that they send you a DNA sample collection kit so you can take the sample yourself and mail it in. It's probably a cheek swab, very easy to do if you follow the instructions, and they will either mail or email you the results, and you can take those results to the doctor. I would recommend making an appointment with Dr. Marcos Vega so he can examine your dog in person, because her condition could be due to something else besides CDA. Keep us posted!

I would def go to a Vet Dermatologist as soon as you can as the fur loss could be from so many other things...hypothryoid, allergies, skin infection, Cushings, ring worm, malnutrition. A derm will at least be able to help with those first 5 things...either diagnosing them or ruling them out.

For hair loss in Cushings dogs, they are given Melatonin 2x a day and it does help a ton! Ferrets are also given Melatonin for fur loss. So, I'd be sure and ask your Vet Derm if Melatonin would help w/ whatever the fur loss is caused from in your kiddo.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

UPDATE: To all who replied to this post, I am happy to report that Mia is slowly but surely re-growing her hair, AND she's going blonde! I put her on one of those hair re-growth products (Don't know if it's ok to post the name) and it is working. I no longer think she has CDA, although she does have allergies and apparently, a weak inmune system, as she also caught a fungus out of nowhere that made her lose some of her new hair. But fungus is taken care of now so we are hoping she'll re-grow it again. It's only a little patch about the size of a quarter. We changed her diet to grain-free and chicken-free, including treats, and she is no longer itchy. She is growing little hairs in the back of her ears, which were completely hairless, and basically has little hairs everywhere except where the fungus got her. We are also giving her vitamins to strengthen her inmune system. I will post a picture so you can see what she looks like now.

Here you can see she has a little bit of hair on her torso, minus the spot where she had the fungus.

And here you can see where her hair on her head is turning blonde.

I'm glad she's doing better!

I'm glad she's doing better! I'm so glad you didn't return her.

That's quite a difference, you are doing a great job with her care.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Oh, just finished reading and see she is doing better. I should have read all before posting.

I think I'm totally in love with your sweet girl!!! What a precious face and demeanor she seems to have from that picture! I'm so in love with her sweetness. I'm so sorry to hear she has these problems and sure hope you can get this darling girl some help soon.

Wow, she looks great! So glad you kept her & are giving her the care she needs.

It seems I celebrated a bit too soon. Mia got sick again and all her new hair fell off. The vet said she had a fungus and put her on a lime dip treatment that smelled horrible. When that didn't work, I took her to a different vet. Long story short: The first thing the New Vet said when he saw her was that she had CDA.

The vet was very honest about how costly it will be to care for her infections the rest of her life, so we are now deciding whether we keep her or return her to her rescuer to find her a new home, as I am unemployed and I cannot afford to give her the care she needs. As it is, we have already paid for three vet visits in four months and she has a follow up appointment in two weeks. This is one of the saddest things I've had to go through because if I give her up, I will always worry about her and how she is being cared for.

We have started her on Melatonin and we are hoping and praying that it will work for her. There is about a 50% chance. Wish us luck.

Does anyone know if the Melatonin will help her with the infections or if it's only a cosmetic fix? At this point we don't really care about the hair, it is the infections we are worried about.

I don't have experience dealing with this, or the efficacy of Melatonin. But I am kind of wondering if immune booster treatments might be the way to go. If her immune system is compromised it may respond to immune boosters.

I will PM pstinard as he has done extensive research into CDA, and see what he has to say. Also we have another owner on here with CDA and she might have some suggestions for you.

It is very hard to hear that you don't have the funds to help her. Is there something like Care Credit in Mexico?

If you don't have the funds perhaps the best although a very painfull thing to do, is to return her to the rescue you got her from, in the hopes that they have the financial wherewithal to help her.

I am so very sorry to hear that your gal is suffering again. ((hugs to you and her)))

When I saw her coloring I felt she had CDA. Im sorry if you dont have the funds to care for her properly there is no shame in returning her to the rescue. You will be able to supply the rescue with info about her condition and they will either find her someone to adopt her and give her the care she needs or they will foster her out and provide the care she needs

Here is an article about the use of Melatonin in dogs:

Vet Blog : The Use Of Melatonin In Dogs, Dose Rate, Info, Side Effects.

It doesn't specifically address CDA, but Melatonin is one of the drugs used to treat Cushing's Disease, which shares some of same symptoms as CDA. Maybe the vet is hoping that Melatonin will help with some of the underlying problems? I hope Mia recovers soon and that you don't have to give her back to the rescuer!

I had a foster pup with AlopeciaX and yes, melatonin does work. They say that if you stop giving it after the hair grows back, it will not work again.

Before and after pics of Sunny D, my foster who was on it for his hair loss:

Attachment 401267

Attachment 401268

Attachment 401269