COLOR DILUTION ALOPECIA IN 7 DACHSHUNDS - A CLINICAL-STUDY AND THE HEREDITARY, MICROSCOPIC AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL ASPECT OF THE DISEASE

Seven Dachshunds from five different families were studied for late-on set alopecia. All were born blue and tan in litters containing unaffec ted wild boar coated animals. Six of the seven dogs changed their colo ur during the first months of their life from blue and tan to 'deadlea f' or grey and tan. Histopathology, light microscopy of hairs and scan ning electron microscopy of the hairs showed similarities with those p reviously described in blue Doberman Pinschers and confirmed the diagn osis of colour dilution alopecia (CDA). Transmission electron microsco py of cross-sectioned hairs showed vacuoles containing melanin granule s of different size in medullary, subcortical and intracortical areas. Some opened at the hair surface and released melanin granules. Study of the pedigree proved autosomal recessive inheritance.