Treatment of Alopecia due to Hormonal Diseases and Follicular Dysplasia

Table 3-11 Selected Drugs Used in the Treatment of Endocrine Disorders with Cutaneous Symptoms

Dose Dog dose (D) Cat dose (C)

Indications

Adverse Effects Prognosis

o,p´-DDD* (mitotane)

25 mg/kg q 12 h during induction (5-14 d), same dose q 12 h on 2 consecutive days of each week as maintenance. Length of induction determined by water intake, food intake, and ACTH stimulation test. (D, C)

Idiopathic hyperadrenocorticism, adrenal sex hormone imbalance (I do not recommend the drug for this latter disease). Further reading is recommended prior to using this drug.

Lethargy, ataxia, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia.

Levothyroxine

20 µg/kg q 12 h. If patient condition is well controlled, medication may be changed to once daily at double dose. (D, C)

Hypothyroidism

Polydipsia, polyuria, nervousness, aggressiveness, panting, diarrhea, tachycardia, pyrexia, pruritus, heart failure in dogs with cardiac disease, exacerbation of adrenal crisis in dogs with hypoadrenocorticism

Testosterone

0.5-1 mg/kg (up to a maximal dose of 30 mg) q 24 h orally (D, C)

Aggressive behavior, greasy haircoat, prostatic hypertrophy, hepatotoxicity

Estrogen

0.02 mg/kg q 48 h for 6-12 wk orally or q 24 h for 3 wk, then 1 wk off, then repeat cycle (D).

Estrogen-responsive dermatosis

Estrus induction, bone marrow suppression, hepatotoxicity, pyometra, spontaneous abortion

Melatonin

3-6 mg q 12-24 h for 2-3 mo (D)

Cyclic follicular dysplasia, follicular dysplasia, alopecia.

Abscess formation with injection of repository capsules.

Growth hormone*

0.1 IU/kg q 56 h for 6 wk (D)

Adrenal sex hormone imbalance, growth-hormone responsive disease (I do not recommend treatment with this drug).

Anaphylaxis, acromegaly, diabetes mellitus