Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 2/11/2006

Question
Hello,

We have a dog, siberian husky, that the last time we shaved her hair, it isn't growing back in some areas.  We took her to a Dermatologist who suggested it could be Cushings Disease, fortunately her blood work came back fine.  He then sugguested that we give her 9 mg of Melatoin every 8 hours  for three months.  I can't find any literature on how melatonin can make hair grow.  There are studies for sleep loss and some cancers, but nothing that I can find for hair regrowth.  My question is; do you know why we were told to give her Melotonin and should we?

Thank you very much.  

Answer
There is a condition caled post clipping alopecia. Some thinkthat the hair does not grow because the temperature of the skin changes in these breeds when thehair is shaved.  

Melatonin has been used in the Nordic breeds for a condition called "Alopecia X."  But that is not what you are describing.

Often these post clipping alopecia cases will resolve on their own.