Hairless Chinese Crested Case

Hairless Chinese Crested dogs are sometimes presented to the veterinarian with a complaint of “bumps all over the body” with white-heads and/or black-heads. The lesions are a genetic abnormality in which they develop cystic hair follicles that result in comedones (black heads) and inflamed nodules that can become secondarily infected.

BEFORE – Hairless Chinese Crested Case

AFTER – Hairless Chinese Crested Case

Hairless Chinese Crested dogs are sometimes presented to the veterinarian with a complaint of “bumps all over the body” with white-heads and/or black-heads.

The lesions are a genetic abnormality in which they develop cystic hair follicles that result in comedones (black heads) and inflamed nodules that can become secondarily infected.

The lesions appear similar to cystic acne in humans. While the problem is cosmetic, some Chinese Crested patients are severely affected.

​Management of this problem was almost completely impossible until the development of topical retinoids. This patient had resolution over a period of several months with topical therapy.