TREATMENT SUCCESS IN THREE ANDEAN BEARS (TREMARCTOS ORNATUS) WITH ALOPECIA SYNDROME USING OCLACITINIB MALEATE (APOQUEL®)

Abstract

Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) alopecia syndrome (ABAS) commonly affects captive bears, particularly sexually mature females. ABAS is characterized by bilaterally symmetrical predominantly flank alopecia with or without profound pruritus and secondary bacterial and Malassezia infections. There is no effective treatment and severely affected bears have been euthanized. This paper describes the successful management of ABAS in three female Andean bears. Skin biopsies and cytology revealed a mixed dermal inflammatory infiltrate, alopecia, hyperkeratosis, and Malassezia dermatitis. Allergen specific serology was positive for environmental allergens in one case. Hematology, serum biochemistry, and thyroid and adrenal function were normal in all cases. There was no consistent response to novel diet trials, antifungals, antihistamines, allergen specific immunotherapy, or topical antimicrobials. There was a partial response to ciclosporin (Atopica® cat, Novartis Animal Health; 5 mg/kg po, sid) in one case and oral glucocorticoids in all cases (dexamethasone sodium phosphate, [Colvasone 0.2%, Norbrook], 0.15 mg/kg po, sid or prednisolone [Deltacortene, Bruno Farmaceutici, and Megasolone 20, Coophavet], 0.3-1.2 mg/kg po, sid), but treatment was withdrawn following adverse effects. Treatment with oclacitinib maleate (Apoquel®, Zoetis; 0.46-0.5 mg/kg po, bid) resulted in rapid and complete resolution of the pruritus with subsequent improvement in demeanor and fur regrowth. After 5 mo, the bears were almost fully furred and off all other medication. Treatment was tapered to the lowest dose that prevented relapse of the pruritus (0.23-0.4 mg/kg po, sid). No adverse effects have been noted. ABAS is usually an intractable condition, and, to our knowledge, oclacitinib is the first treatment shown to result in sustained clinical improvement. Further studies on the etiology of ABAS, and on efficacy and long-term safety of oclacitinib are needed.

A retrospective study on the prevalence of main clinical findings in brown bears (Ursus arctos) rescued from substandard husbandry conditions

“…Bears in captivity also frequently suffer from skin conditions, especially hair loss and rough hair coats, typically diagnosed in polar ( Ursus maritimus ) ( 30 , 31 ) and Andean ( Tremarctos ornatus ) bears ( 32 , 33 ). In fact, the brown bears included in this study were more frequently affected by alterations of pads/soles and claws, and chronic and purulent abrasions, wounds, decubital lesions, and scars than by alopecia and decreased fur quality.…”

The Andean bear alopecia syndrome may be caused by social housing

“…Veterinary staff at different zoological institutions have diagnosed this syndrome in different ways (e.g., Langguth et al, ): hypersensitivity dermatitis and folliculitis, hypothyroidism, hypoestrogenism, allergic dermatitis but not atopy, all of which are mechanistic explanations that do not address the underlying causation. This syndrome has been observed in Andean bears in human care in Asia (Ueda et al, ), Europe (Drake et al, ), North America (Owen, Shanks, Sutherland‐Smith, Thomas, & Van Horn, ), and South America (Restrepo Valencia, ). Histological evidence is consistent with an immune response triggered by an unknown cause (Nicolau et al, ), but given the global distribution and relatively common occurrence of this syndrome, it is unlikely to arise from a specific allergic reaction, a common source of infection, or simple hypothyroidism.…”

“…To alleviate these symptoms, numerous pharmacological treatments have been attempted with little or no long‐term efficacy, though recent developments are promising (Drake et al, ). However, even if effective treatments are found for affected individuals, the underlying cause of the syndrome has not been identified (Nicolau et al, ), meaning that additional individuals may be affected.…”

Jakinibs of All Trades: Inhibiting Cytokine Signaling in Immune-Mediated Pathologies

“…Furthermore, oclacitinib demonstrated similar efficacy when compared to the use of glucocorticoids in canines and has been shown to be an improvement over the use of prednisone in canines [34]. Off-label use of oclacitinib to treat non-flea, nonfood-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis in felines and intractable Andean bear alopecia syndrome indicate the potential to expand oclacitinib to other animal species and disorders [66,67].…”