A Case of Suspected Congenital Hypothyroidism Causing Generalised Alopecia in a Wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons).

Congenital hypothyroidism should be considered in young wombats presenting with noninflammatory alopecia.

An 18-month-old southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) presented with progressive alopecia, a clinical sign rarely documented in this species. Histopathological examination of affected skin revealed atrophic hair follicles in telogen phase, consistent with endocrine alopecia rather than inflammatory dermatological disease. Serum thyroid hormone levels were significantly decreased compared to age-matched control wombats, supporting a diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism. The patient was initiated on thyroxine supplementation therapy, which resulted in clinical improvement of the haircoat. This case is significant because it expands the differential diagnosis for alopecia in young wombats and emphasizes the importance of considering congenital endocrinopathies, particularly hypothyroidism, in exotic animal dermatological presentations. The telogen effluvium pattern observed histologically is consistent with thyroid hormone deficiency affecting the hair growth cycle. The favorable response to thyroid hormone replacement further supports the endocrine etiology of this alopecia.

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