Pomeranian/Dwarf Spitz Alopecia

Alopecia X in the Pomeranian, also known as Black Skin Disease (BSD), is a skin condition that primarily affects Nordic breeds, with the Pomeranian being one of the most affected.

It is called alopecia X because of the unknown origin of the condition, hence the "X". It is also known as "black skin disease" when the condition is accompanied by hyperpigmentation of the skin.

It is a total or partial hair loss in Miniature Spitz or Nordic dogs, with or without skin pigmentation, often linked to follicular atrophy.

This condition affects males more than females.

Alopecia usually begins in Pomeranians between the ages of one and a half and two years, although it can appear at any age.

Certain factors can trigger the disease, such as a drop in immune defenses or a bad haircut.

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Identify the symptoms

From a very young age, signs can be observed that could indicate future alopecia X in the Pomeranian. It is essential to be attentive to these signs in order to act quickly and effectively.

5 month old puppy with very cottony coat: first warning signs.

The shedding process in Pomeranian puppies is generally considered to begin around 5 months of age.

Miniature Spitz with very cottony fur are more prone to problems. If, at the time of moulting, your Spitz does not shed normally and its coat becomes increasingly woolly, with gray or black roots (in orange Spitz, for example) and a gradual loss of color, this may be a sign that the transition is not going as planned.

Be careful, I say maybe , because it is also possible that the molt begins one or two months later, and then suddenly starts. So don't panic, but it is better to stay vigilant and well prepared. Prevention is always better than treatment, and in the case of alopecia X in Pomeranians, it can often save us a lot of trouble.

What about the adult Pomeranian?

Very cottony coat

In these cases, there are also some signs that can help us quickly detect a problem and act accordingly.

A very obvious symptom is when the Pomeranian's hair stops growing normally, especially on the ears and legs. The hair should always grow back between grooming sessions.

Another sign to watch for is when the hair around the tail begins to darken.

Grayish discoloration around the tail, a very characteristic sign that often precedes the disease

Likewise, when after a cut, the hair on the rest of the body does not grow back normally, and the coat becomes increasingly dense, tight and very short. As in puppies, extreme dryness of the coat is a telltale sign of problems and may indicate Alopecia X or potential black skin disease (BSD).

Another obvious sign is the appearance of hairless areas, usually located on the back of the legs, in the genital area or around the tail, although they can also appear elsewhere.

Brown or dark spots, similar to moles, on the skin are also symptoms to watch for. All of these signs can indicate that the disease is developing or already present.