Results: 2018 General Health Survey
Skin
Conditions listed in the Skin Category were reported in 21.9% (256) of 1,171 surveys completed across all breeds/varieties, making it the third most common physical health issue reported (behind items in the Mouth and Teeth category and the Digestive System category).
Considering the entire population surveyed:
Relation to Other Conditions
Some skin issues are difficult to consider in isolation. In addition to conditions listed in the Skin category, food and environmental allergies should also be considered. Unfortunately, the survey did not explore this topic in sufficient detail. Among other shortcomings, the questions did not distinguish between sensitivities causing gastric vs. skin responses or ‘sensitivities’ vs. true allergies.
Considering the entire population surveyed:
- The most common condition in this category was Alopecia (hair loss) relating to Pattern Baldness, which was reported in 9% (105) of all dogs reported on in the survey.
- In total, the conditions of Pattern Baldness, Pinnal Alopecia, Post-Injection Alopecia and Season Alopecia were reported in 12% (140) dogs.
- Overall rates of conditions in the Alopecia family were high across all breeds/varieties covered, but were not consistent:
- 7% of Manchester Terrier (UK/FCI) and Standard Manchester Terrier owners reported a condition in the Alopecia family, with companion owners more than 2x as likely (12%) to report a hair loss condition as breeders/exhibitors (5%).
- 12% of English Toy Terrier owners reported an Alopecia. No difference was observed in reporting among owner categories.
- 18% of Toy Manchester Terrier owners reported a condition in the Alopecia family. While conditions in the entire family were reported at roughly equal rates among TMTs, companion owners were 3x more likely to report Pattern Baldness (23%) than breeders/exhibitors (6.7%).
- No difference in reports of Alopecias were observed among the sexes, with the exception of owners of male Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) who were almost 2x as likely (9.5%) to report a condition in the Alopecia family as owners of females (4.5%)
Relation to Other Conditions
Some skin issues are difficult to consider in isolation. In addition to conditions listed in the Skin category, food and environmental allergies should also be considered. Unfortunately, the survey did not explore this topic in sufficient detail. Among other shortcomings, the questions did not distinguish between sensitivities causing gastric vs. skin responses or ‘sensitivities’ vs. true allergies.
Conditions
The following conditions are referenced below in the analysis for this section. The explanation for each disease/condition provided in the survey is included for reference:
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Toy Manchester Terriers
The most common conditions affecting Toy Manchester Terriers in the Skin category were Alopecia attributed to Pattern Baldness, which was reported in 14.1% (43) of Toy Manchesters, Season Alopecia, which was reported in 5.3% (16) of dogs, and Atopic Dermatitis reported in 3.6% (11) of TMTs.
Additional conditions reported included 10 cases of Sebaceous Cysts (3.3%), seven cases each of Pinnal Alopecia and Demodex-Puppy (2.3%), three cases of Post-Injection Alopecia (1%), two cases of Demodex-Localized (0.7%), and one case each of Demodex-General, Pyoderma and Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy (0.3%).
In the ‘other’ section, owners reported a puppy with a staph infection at 12 weeks; a dog who broke out in hives in the summertime as a puppy; a dog with long-standing hairloss that improved with age; a litter affected by circular patterns of hair loss at 8 weeks (resolved with treatment); a dog with patchy baldness; a dog with pre-cancerous skin masses; and, a dog with skin tags.
Overall, 18% (56) of owners reported at least one form of alopecia in their Toy Manchester Terrier, including 3% who reported two or more forms. Alopecia as a general category was reported roughly equally in males (15%) and females (13%) and by both breeders (16%) and companion owners (20%), however companion owners were 3x more likely to report Alopecia attributed to Pattern Baldness (23%) than breeders/exhibitors (6.7%). As no standardized criteria was provided for assessing the conditions and as rates of owner diagnosis based on condition descriptions was expected to be high for this family of conditions (see note above), it is unknown if this difference reflects a different ratio of clinical symptoms, differing levels of owner tolerance/perception, different care or lifestyle, or any other bias.
The most common conditions affecting Toy Manchester Terriers in the Skin category were Alopecia attributed to Pattern Baldness, which was reported in 14.1% (43) of Toy Manchesters, Season Alopecia, which was reported in 5.3% (16) of dogs, and Atopic Dermatitis reported in 3.6% (11) of TMTs.
Additional conditions reported included 10 cases of Sebaceous Cysts (3.3%), seven cases each of Pinnal Alopecia and Demodex-Puppy (2.3%), three cases of Post-Injection Alopecia (1%), two cases of Demodex-Localized (0.7%), and one case each of Demodex-General, Pyoderma and Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy (0.3%).
In the ‘other’ section, owners reported a puppy with a staph infection at 12 weeks; a dog who broke out in hives in the summertime as a puppy; a dog with long-standing hairloss that improved with age; a litter affected by circular patterns of hair loss at 8 weeks (resolved with treatment); a dog with patchy baldness; a dog with pre-cancerous skin masses; and, a dog with skin tags.
Overall, 18% (56) of owners reported at least one form of alopecia in their Toy Manchester Terrier, including 3% who reported two or more forms. Alopecia as a general category was reported roughly equally in males (15%) and females (13%) and by both breeders (16%) and companion owners (20%), however companion owners were 3x more likely to report Alopecia attributed to Pattern Baldness (23%) than breeders/exhibitors (6.7%). As no standardized criteria was provided for assessing the conditions and as rates of owner diagnosis based on condition descriptions was expected to be high for this family of conditions (see note above), it is unknown if this difference reflects a different ratio of clinical symptoms, differing levels of owner tolerance/perception, different care or lifestyle, or any other bias.
Standard Manchester Terriers
The most common conditions affecting Standard Manchester Terriers in the Skin category were Alopecia attributed to Pattern Baldness, which was reported in 7% (13) of Standard Manchesters, Seasonal Alopecia, which was reported in 3.8% (7) of dogs, and Atopic Dermatitis reported in 3.2% (6) of SMTs.
Additional conditions reported included five cases of Sebaceous Cysts (2.7%), three cases of Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy (1.6%), and one case of Demodex-Localized (0.5%).
In the ‘other’ section, owners reported three dogs with age-related warts/lumps; three dogs with patchy hair loss (one related to Cushing’s Disease); one dog with a cyst on the end of its tail which disappeared without treatment; a dog with hyperkeratosis (abnormal thickening of the out layer of the skin); one dog who had a fungal infection around the vulva and may have seasonal skin sensitivities; one dog requiring a procedure to remove 2.3” of detritus under skin on face; and. one case of ringworm.
Overall, 8.6% (16) of owners reported at least one form of alopecia in their Standard Manchester Terrier, including 1.5% who reported two forms. Alopecia as a general category was reported roughly equally in males and females, however companion owners were more likely to report an Alopecia (12%) than breeders/exhibitors (5%). As no standardized criteria was provided for assessing these conditions and as rates of owner diagnosis based on condition descriptions was expected to be high for this family of conditions (see note above), it is unknown if this difference reflects a different ratio of clinical symptoms, differing levels of owner tolerance/perception, different care or lifestyle, etc. or any other bias.
The most common conditions affecting Standard Manchester Terriers in the Skin category were Alopecia attributed to Pattern Baldness, which was reported in 7% (13) of Standard Manchesters, Seasonal Alopecia, which was reported in 3.8% (7) of dogs, and Atopic Dermatitis reported in 3.2% (6) of SMTs.
Additional conditions reported included five cases of Sebaceous Cysts (2.7%), three cases of Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy (1.6%), and one case of Demodex-Localized (0.5%).
In the ‘other’ section, owners reported three dogs with age-related warts/lumps; three dogs with patchy hair loss (one related to Cushing’s Disease); one dog with a cyst on the end of its tail which disappeared without treatment; a dog with hyperkeratosis (abnormal thickening of the out layer of the skin); one dog who had a fungal infection around the vulva and may have seasonal skin sensitivities; one dog requiring a procedure to remove 2.3” of detritus under skin on face; and. one case of ringworm.
Overall, 8.6% (16) of owners reported at least one form of alopecia in their Standard Manchester Terrier, including 1.5% who reported two forms. Alopecia as a general category was reported roughly equally in males and females, however companion owners were more likely to report an Alopecia (12%) than breeders/exhibitors (5%). As no standardized criteria was provided for assessing these conditions and as rates of owner diagnosis based on condition descriptions was expected to be high for this family of conditions (see note above), it is unknown if this difference reflects a different ratio of clinical symptoms, differing levels of owner tolerance/perception, different care or lifestyle, etc. or any other bias.
Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI)
The most common conditions affecting Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) in the Skin category were Alopecia attributed to Pattern Baldness, which was reported in 7% (31) of Manchester Terriers, Seasonal Alopecia, which was reported in 3.5% (16) of dogs, as well as both Atopic Dermatitis and Sebaceous Cysts reported in 2.4% (11) of MTs.
Additional conditions reported included seven cases of Pinnal Alopecia (1.5%), four cases each of Demodex-Puppy and Pyoderma (0.9%), and one case of Demodex-Localized (0.2%).
In the ‘other’ section, owners reported one case of Color Dilution Alopecia; two dogs with age-related lipomas; one dog with a small cyst on its head; two dogs with dry skin on the tips of the ears; and, a dog with furunculosis (infection of the hair follicle leading to abscess) in her paws with no known cause.
Overall, 9% (41) of owners reported at least one form of alopecia in their Manchester Terrier, including 1.7% who reported two or more forms. While roughly the same number of Alopecias were reported in males and females, as a proportion of each sex reported on in the survey, owners of male Manchester Terriers were almost twice as likely (9.5%) to report a condition in the Alopecia family as owners of females (4.5%). Additionally, companion owners were more likely to report Alopecia (12%) than breeders/exhibitors (5%). This trend was particularly evident with Pattern Baldness, where just 0.5% of Manchester Terrier breeders reported the condition compared to 9% of companion owners. As no standardized criteria was provided for assessing these conditions and as rates of owner diagnosis based on condition descriptions was expected to be high for this family of conditions (see note above), it is unknown if this difference reflects a different ratio of clinical symptoms, differing levels of owner tolerance/perception, different care or lifestyle, etc. or any other bias.
The most common conditions affecting Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) in the Skin category were Alopecia attributed to Pattern Baldness, which was reported in 7% (31) of Manchester Terriers, Seasonal Alopecia, which was reported in 3.5% (16) of dogs, as well as both Atopic Dermatitis and Sebaceous Cysts reported in 2.4% (11) of MTs.
Additional conditions reported included seven cases of Pinnal Alopecia (1.5%), four cases each of Demodex-Puppy and Pyoderma (0.9%), and one case of Demodex-Localized (0.2%).
In the ‘other’ section, owners reported one case of Color Dilution Alopecia; two dogs with age-related lipomas; one dog with a small cyst on its head; two dogs with dry skin on the tips of the ears; and, a dog with furunculosis (infection of the hair follicle leading to abscess) in her paws with no known cause.
Overall, 9% (41) of owners reported at least one form of alopecia in their Manchester Terrier, including 1.7% who reported two or more forms. While roughly the same number of Alopecias were reported in males and females, as a proportion of each sex reported on in the survey, owners of male Manchester Terriers were almost twice as likely (9.5%) to report a condition in the Alopecia family as owners of females (4.5%). Additionally, companion owners were more likely to report Alopecia (12%) than breeders/exhibitors (5%). This trend was particularly evident with Pattern Baldness, where just 0.5% of Manchester Terrier breeders reported the condition compared to 9% of companion owners. As no standardized criteria was provided for assessing these conditions and as rates of owner diagnosis based on condition descriptions was expected to be high for this family of conditions (see note above), it is unknown if this difference reflects a different ratio of clinical symptoms, differing levels of owner tolerance/perception, different care or lifestyle, etc. or any other bias.
English Toy Terriers
The most common conditions affecting English Toy Terriers in the Skin category were Alopecia attributed to Pattern Baldness, which was reported in 7.9% (18) of English Toy Terriers, Demodex-Puppy, which was reported in 6.5% (15) of ETTs, and Seasonal Alopecia reported in 5.2% (12) of ETTs.
Additional conditions reported included eight cases each of Demodex-Localized and Atopic Dermatitis (3.5%), two cases each of Pinnal Alopecia and Sebaceous Cysts, Demodex-Puppy, and one case each Post-Injection Alopecia and Demodex-General (0.4%).
In the ‘other’ section, owners reported three dogs with skin allergies (one to bleach, one to mites, one to hay and birch pollen); one case of candidiasis (yeast infection) on its front leg; one dog with coat loss related to low thyroid/Cushing’s Disease; one dog with skin tags; and, one dog with lipomas.
Overall, 11.8% (27) of owners reported at least one form of alopecia in their English Toy Terrier, including 2.6% who reported two or more forms. Roughly the same proportion of alopecias were reported in males and females and by breeder/exhibitors and companion owners. As no standardized criteria was provided for assessing these conditions and as rates of owner diagnosis based on condition descriptions was expected to be high for this family of conditions (see note above), it is unknown if reporting reflects a different ratio of clinical symptoms, differing levels of owner tolerance/perception, different care or lifestyle, etc. or any other bias.
The most common conditions affecting English Toy Terriers in the Skin category were Alopecia attributed to Pattern Baldness, which was reported in 7.9% (18) of English Toy Terriers, Demodex-Puppy, which was reported in 6.5% (15) of ETTs, and Seasonal Alopecia reported in 5.2% (12) of ETTs.
Additional conditions reported included eight cases each of Demodex-Localized and Atopic Dermatitis (3.5%), two cases each of Pinnal Alopecia and Sebaceous Cysts, Demodex-Puppy, and one case each Post-Injection Alopecia and Demodex-General (0.4%).
In the ‘other’ section, owners reported three dogs with skin allergies (one to bleach, one to mites, one to hay and birch pollen); one case of candidiasis (yeast infection) on its front leg; one dog with coat loss related to low thyroid/Cushing’s Disease; one dog with skin tags; and, one dog with lipomas.
Overall, 11.8% (27) of owners reported at least one form of alopecia in their English Toy Terrier, including 2.6% who reported two or more forms. Roughly the same proportion of alopecias were reported in males and females and by breeder/exhibitors and companion owners. As no standardized criteria was provided for assessing these conditions and as rates of owner diagnosis based on condition descriptions was expected to be high for this family of conditions (see note above), it is unknown if reporting reflects a different ratio of clinical symptoms, differing levels of owner tolerance/perception, different care or lifestyle, etc. or any other bias.