TLDR The cause of atypical Cushing's syndrome in dogs, possibly linked to sex hormones, is not yet proven.
The document discusses the concept of occult hyperadrenocorticism in dogs, a condition where clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities suggest Cushing's syndrome, but standard diagnostic tests such as ACTH stimulation and low-dose dexamethasone suppression tests return normal results. A prevailing theory suggests that these signs may be due to an excess secretion of sex hormones rather than cortisol. However, the authors argue that the role of sex hormones in causing occult hyperadrenocorticism has not been conclusively proven. The article presents and evaluates evidence both supporting and challenging the significance of sex hormones in this atypical form of Cushing's syndrome.
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July 2006 in “Veterinary dermatology” Melatonin helped some Pomeranian dogs regrow hair, but it wasn't linked to estrogen receptors.
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September 2005 in “The Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association/Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association” Trilostane effectively treated hair loss in Alaskan Malamutes with no adverse effects.
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October 2004 in “Veterinary dermatology” Melatonin and mitotane treatment led to hair re-growth in 62% of dogs with Alopecia X, but this was not always linked to normal hormone levels.
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March 2003 in “Veterinary Dermatology” Most dogs with alopecia had higher than normal levels of certain hormones, but hair loss might not always be linked to these hormone changes.
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February 2010 in “The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice/Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice” The cause of atypical Cushing's syndrome in dogs, possibly linked to sex hormones, is not yet proven.
