Generalized vitiligo in a pure-bred Rottweiler: case report

Abstract

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentation disorder caused by the progressive destruction of melanocytes. Canine localisedvitiligo (LV) is a relatively common disease that is expressed in young adult dogs, normally as a discoloration of the skin, hair,muzzle, lips, and oral and facial mucosa, although the elbows and nails may also be affected. Generalised vitiligo (GV), on theother hand, has very rarely been reported in dogs. The present sudy describes for the first time the occurrence of GV in a blackand nut-brown pure bred Rottweiler with an eighteen month history of progressive discoloration in the black-haired, but notbrown-haired, areas.