Malarone Induced Pancreatitis and Alopecia in a Dog: A Case Report

A 3-year-old female Maltese dog developed acute pancreatitis and generalized alopecia after being treated with Malarone® for a suspected Babesia gibsoni infection. This is the first reported case of such adverse effects from Malarone® in dogs. The dog, which presented with intermittent vomiting and sudden hair loss, was diagnosed through various tests including hematology, radiography, ultrasonography, a negative PCR test for Babesia, and a positive canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) assay. A dermatologic examination also indicated a bacterial infection with hair cycle arrest. The findings led to the diagnosis of drug-induced acute pancreatitis and alopecia with superficial pyoderma, highlighting the need for careful monitoring of dogs treated with Malarone® due to potential severe adverse reactions.