TY - JOUR
T1 - The efficacy of subcutaneous slow-release melatonin implants in the prevention of canine flank alopecia recurrence is uncertain
T2 - A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study
AU - Verschuuren, Millie U M Y
AU - Schlotter, Yvette M
AU - van Geijlswijk, Inge M
AU - van der Lugt, Jaco J
AU - Gehring, Ronette
N1 - Funding Information:
We like to thank the European Society of Veterinary Dermatology (ESVD) for awarding Millie U.M.Y. Verschuuren and Yvette M. Schlotter the Practitioners Research Grant for this study. We also like to thank CEVA Santé Animale, France for providing the melatonin implants. We are grateful to IDEXX BV, the Netherlands, for providing their laboratory service. Finally, we wish to thank the owners of participating dogs for their cooperation and patience.
Funding Information:
We like to thank the European Society of Veterinary Dermatology (ESVD) for awarding Millie U.M.Y. Verschuuren and Yvette M. Schlotter the Practitioners Research Grant for this study. We also like to thank CEVA Santé Animale, France for providing the melatonin implants. We are grateful to IDEXX BV, the Netherlands, for providing their laboratory service. Finally, we wish to thank the owners of participating dogs for their cooperation and patience.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors. Veterinary Dermatology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of ESVD and ACVD.
PY - 2022/12
Y1 - 2022/12
N2 - BACKGROUND: Canine flank alopecia (CFA) is characterized by seasonally recurring noninflammatory, occasionally hyperpigmented alopecia predominantly in the thoracolumbar area. Previous studies suggest that reduced production of endogenous melatonin may play a role in the pathogenesis of this condition, and placebo-controlled studies on the efficacy of preventative melatonin treatment are lacking.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous slow-release melatonin implants in the prevention of CFA recurrence.ANIMALS: Twenty-one client-owned dogs with a history of CFA were included in the study.MATERIALS AND METHODS: At time (T)0, a general physical and dermatological examination was performed on each dog, blood was collected for serum biochemistry analysis and two skin biopsies were taken from alopecic areas on the nonsedated affected dogs after subcutaneous injection with 2% lidocaine. Dogs with normal blood work and histological results compatible with CFA were included in the study. Participating dogs were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or 18 mg melatonin subcutaneously in the interscapular area, approximately 2 months before expected CFA onset (T1). CFA recurrence was scored qualitatively as complete, ≤50% recurrence, or no recurrence at 5 and 7 months after the intervention (T2 and T3, respectively).RESULTS: At T3, in dogs treated with placebo (nine of 17), the percentages for complete recurrence, ≤50% recurrence and no recurrence were 44%, 0% and 56%, respectively. In dogs treated with melatonin (eight of 17), these percentages were 25%, 50% and 25%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the scores between melatonin-treated dogs and placebo-treated dogs (p = 0.40). In three of eight melatonin-treated dogs, mild transient swelling was observed at the injection site.CONCLUSIONS: This study did not provide evidence that an 18 mg melatonin implant treatment, although well-tolerated, is efficacious in preventing recurrence of CFA in affected dogs.
AB - BACKGROUND: Canine flank alopecia (CFA) is characterized by seasonally recurring noninflammatory, occasionally hyperpigmented alopecia predominantly in the thoracolumbar area. Previous studies suggest that reduced production of endogenous melatonin may play a role in the pathogenesis of this condition, and placebo-controlled studies on the efficacy of preventative melatonin treatment are lacking.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous slow-release melatonin implants in the prevention of CFA recurrence.ANIMALS: Twenty-one client-owned dogs with a history of CFA were included in the study.MATERIALS AND METHODS: At time (T)0, a general physical and dermatological examination was performed on each dog, blood was collected for serum biochemistry analysis and two skin biopsies were taken from alopecic areas on the nonsedated affected dogs after subcutaneous injection with 2% lidocaine. Dogs with normal blood work and histological results compatible with CFA were included in the study. Participating dogs were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or 18 mg melatonin subcutaneously in the interscapular area, approximately 2 months before expected CFA onset (T1). CFA recurrence was scored qualitatively as complete, ≤50% recurrence, or no recurrence at 5 and 7 months after the intervention (T2 and T3, respectively).RESULTS: At T3, in dogs treated with placebo (nine of 17), the percentages for complete recurrence, ≤50% recurrence and no recurrence were 44%, 0% and 56%, respectively. In dogs treated with melatonin (eight of 17), these percentages were 25%, 50% and 25%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the scores between melatonin-treated dogs and placebo-treated dogs (p = 0.40). In three of eight melatonin-treated dogs, mild transient swelling was observed at the injection site.CONCLUSIONS: This study did not provide evidence that an 18 mg melatonin implant treatment, although well-tolerated, is efficacious in preventing recurrence of CFA in affected dogs.
KW - Induction
KW - Mink mustela-vison
KW - Winter fur growth
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85137987622&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/vde.13122
DO - 10.1111/vde.13122
M3 - Article
C2 - 36106629
SN - 0959-4493
VL - 33
SP - 553
EP - 558
JO - Veterinary Dermatology
JF - Veterinary Dermatology
IS - 6
ER -