2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

WITH ALOPECIA X. Melissa Sanches 1 , Marcia Jeric o 2 , Eric Janu ario 1 . 1 Pet Care Centro Veterin ario, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil, 2 Universidade Anhembi Morumbi and Clinica Veterin aria Alto da Lapa Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Alopecia X is a skin disease of unknown etiology characterized by non-inflammatory, bilateral and symmetric alopecia, with hyperpigmentation and absence of pruritus. This condition is most frequently observed in young dogs of Nordic breeds, and is thought to be related to abnormal adrenal gland function, with trilostane and melatonin having been proposed as possible treatment alternatives. This study aims to evaluate the comprehensive steroid panel and therapeutic response of Pomeranian dogs diagnosed with Alopecia X. Eighteen Pomeranian dogs admitted at veterinary clinics (São Paulo, Brazil) with a chief complaint of symmetric and bilateral alopecia were studied. These included 12 males and 6 females, 16 of which were neutered, aging from 2 to 5 years. All animals were subjected to thorough laboratory screening: complete blood count with differential leukocyte count, liver function enzymes, urea, creatinine, triglycerides, cholesterol, blood glucose, and thyroid panel, as well as urinalysis and abdominal ultrasonography; all exam results were within the reference values. Subsequently, blood samples were collected to quantify by radioimmunoassay at Provet Laboratories (Brazil) and Tennessee University the following hormones, both before and after synthetic ACTH stimulation (single dose 0.05 mg/kg/EV): 17-hydroxiprogesterone, aldosterone, androstenedione, cortisol, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone. Eight dogs were then subjected treatment A (trilostane 1 mg/kg PO BID), seven dogs were subjected to treatment B (trilostane 1 mg/kg PO BID and melatonin 3 mg/dog PO BID) and two dogs received treatment C (melatonin 3 mg/dog PO BID); three animals were lost to followup. In comparison to reference values established by the laboratories for both neutered and non-neutered dogs, the animals with Alopecia X presented higher levels in three of the seven hormones both before and after the ACTH stimulation test. Abnormally elevated hormone levels were observed prior to and following ACTH stimulation in respectively: 3 (17%) and 16 dogs (89%) for 17hydroxiprogesterone, 9 (50%) and 10 dogs (55%) for androstenedione, and 2 (11%) and 16 dogs (89%) for progesterone. Also, the abnormally elevated testosterone levels were observed in 6 dogs (33%) prior to ACTH stimulation and 8 dogs (44%) following ACTH stimulation. Two dogs presented abnormally decreased estradiol levels, both prior to and following ACTH stimulation. On the other hand, abnormally elevated cortisol levels were observed in 3 dogs (17%) prior to ACTH stimulation, and these elevated levels were maintained by only one dog (6%) following ACTH administration. In contrast, all dogs had aldosterone levels within reference ranges, with the exception of one dog with slightly elevated aldosterone levels prior to ACTH stimulation. Of the dogs subjected to treatment A, four (50%) had complete hair regrowth and three (37.5%) had partial regrowth after three months of treatment. Of the dogs subjected to treatment B, one (14%) had complete hair regrowth, four (57%) had partial regrowth, and one (14%) did not show signs of regrowth. Treatment for one of the two dogs subjected to treatment C had to be withdrawn due to emesis. Pomeranian dogs affected by Alopecia X presented increased