Alopecia is best defined as which condition?

Alopecia is best defined as which condition?

• A. The lack of voluntary muscle coordination
• B. The loss of hair
• C. An infection of the skin
• D. An inflammation of the eye

Answer: (B)

Alopecia means hair loss. It can show up as patchy bald spots or more generalized thinning of the coat and can arise from many factors such as hormonal changes, stress, nutritional deficiencies, parasites, fungal infections, or grooming behavior in group-housed animals. This distinguishes it from other conditions listed: lack of voluntary muscle coordination describes ataxia, a skin infection describes dermatitis or cellulitis, and an eye inflammation describes conjunctivitis. Because alopecia centers on hair loss, it is the term that best fits this description.

Alopecia means hair loss. It can show up as patchy bald spots or more generalized thinning of the coat and can arise from many factors such as hormonal changes, stress, nutritional deficiencies, parasites, fungal infections, or grooming behavior in group-housed animals. This distinguishes it from other conditions listed: lack of voluntary muscle coordination describes ataxia, a skin infection describes dermatitis or cellulitis, and an eye inflammation describes conjunctivitis. Because alopecia centers on hair loss, it is the term that best fits this description.