Seasonal Dermatopathy and Concurrent Reproductive Findings in Captive Fossa (Cryptoprocta Ferox)

December 2017 in “ Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine ”

Cameron Ratliff, Meg Sutherland‐Smith

seasonal alopecia pruritus hormonal changes reproductive activity palpable uterus thickened uterus enlarged uterus ultrasound itching hair loss hormones reproduction

TLDR Hormonal changes during the reproductive cycle may cause seasonal skin problems in captive female fossas.

Six female intact fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) at the San Diego Zoo exhibited episodic, seasonal alopecia and variable pruritus from 1984 to 2015. These dermatologic issues often coincided with reproductive findings such as a prominent palpable uterus or cervix and a thickened, enlarged uterus on ultrasound, particularly from midspring to midsummer. Dermatologic tests did not identify a primary cause for the alopecia. The study proposed that hormonal changes related to reproductive activity might explain the observed skin conditions in these fossas.

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Seasonal Dermatopathy and Concurrent Reproductive Findings in Captive Fossa (Cryptoprocta Ferox)

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