Alopecia in animals

These include Moluccan cockatoos, spectacled bears, hedgehogs, raccoons, squirrels, baboons, and chimpanzees since they share 98% of human genes.

Others that are selectively bred to have baldness include rabbits, guinea pigs, Syrian hamsters, mice, rats, and cats.

Environmental enrichment has been used in some cases to mitigate certain behaviours that cause hair loss, improve alopecia, and address welfare concerns.

[5] Canine pinnal alopecia is most common in dachshunds, but others, such as Chihuahuas, Boston terriers, whippets and Italian greyhounds, may also be vulnerable.

For example, a lack of sufficient ingestion of a protein in the diet of a group of captive gorillas in Gabon caused various health issues including the development of alopecia.

[10] Endocrinological conditions including Cushing's syndrome (hyperadrenocorticism) and hyperthyroidism can cause localized alopecia in animals.

[12][13]  Moose in certain regions of Europe, including Norway and Sweden, have experienced alopecia due to a high parasitic load of Lipoptena cervi, also known as deer ked.

[13] A high presence of chewing lice has indirectly led to alopecia in deer by causing behavioural modifications in the host organisms.

[17] Further, alopecia is associated with enclosures where animal density is highest as it may cause stress-induced physiological or behavioural changes that can lead to hair loss.

[3][28] For example, a lack of hair may make rhesus macaques more vulnerable as the affected areas are more exposed to environmental factors.

[15][27] Discomfort, an indicator of well-being, has been displayed by rhesus macaque individuals experiencing hair-pulling, which is a known cause of alopecia in primates.