Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 7/28/2005

Question
My Golden is on Melatonin for Seasonal Flank Alopecia.  He started taking 6 mg twice a day starting in the beginning of May.  I went to another vet in the beginning of June who bumped his perc. to 9 mg twice a day.  I have started to see a great improvment in hair growth.  My question is, are there any sife affects with taking this pill, and is there an amount of time that he should only be on it?
I don't know if we should buy another months supply or if he has been on it too long.
I have seen great improvment on the hair growing back.  Do you think that hair will contiune to come  back with out the pills?

Thank you.
Teri

Answer
Seasonal flank alopecia is just that.....seasonal.  During certain times of the year, usually spring and fall, the pineal gland in the brain senses that there is either too much daylight or not enough daylight and the brain does not put out enough melatonin.  So supplementing with melatonin helps the hair growth, but as the length of the days change, the hair will start to regrow on its own.  Some dogs get it once and it never returns.  Some dogs have it each year. Melatonin is harmless.