ACQUIRED FELINE HAIR SHAFT ABNORMALITY RESEMBLING TRICHORRHEXIS-NODOSA IN HUMANS

A 2-year-old castrated male domestic short-haired cat presented with s elf-induced alopecia associated with whitish nodes on the remaining ha ir shafts. Light and scanning microscopy demonstrated swellings of the hair shafts, accompanied by cuticular damage leading to hair fracture s with a typical brush-like appearance. A diagnosis of trichorrhexis n odosa associated with flea allergy dermatitis was made. Complete resol ution of the condition with flea control suggests an acquired disorder secondary to excessive grooming.