Use of oclacitinib as antipruritic drug during sarcoptic mange infestation treatment.

Sarcoptic mange is a parasitic disease causing severe pruritus, self-induced skin lesions and secondary infections. In many cases, an antipruritic treatment is useful to decrease clinical signs of the disease. Oclacitinib is a synthetic janus kinase-1 (JAK1) inhibitor, that selectively inhibits cytokines involved in inflammation and pruritus. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate efficacy of oclacitinib in alleviating pruritus and inflammation in dogs affected by scabies. Forty-four clinical records of dogs containing the words sarcoptes and oclacitinib were selected among dermatologic cases recorded within the last 5 years (2014-2019). Thirty-one of 44 cases with confirmed sarcoptic mange infestation were included. All dogs were treated at day (D)0 with systemic antiparasitic drugs (e.g. moxidectin, sarolaner, afoxolaner) in association with oclacitinib at 0.5 mg/kg by mouth every 12 hours for 14 days followed by oclacitinib administration every 24 hours for another 14 days. Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) was recorded at D0 and D30. Selected cases were 16 females and 15 males, median age was 4.5 years, majority were crossbred dogs. Mean VAS recorded at D0 was nine, and after onemonth decreased to three. Telephone follow up information, collected seven days after discharge, reported a significative decrease in pruritus within 24 hours. Our results suggest that the association of oclacitinib inhibition of JAK1 dependent cytokines (allergic and inflammatory associated IL2, IL4, IL6, IL13 and pruritogenic associated IL31) with conventional antiparasitic treatment, may be useful to provide quick relief from pruritus and decrease inflammation in dogs with sarcoptic mange.

Alopecia in four kittens caused by abnormal maternal licking behaviour.

CASE REPORT: Abnormal maternal behaviour has been reported in cats, but is generally not included among the causes of alopecia in kittens. A litter of four kittens, 2 months old, was referred for evaluation of facial alopecia of differing severity. The 2-year-old queen was unaffected. Dermatological examination of the kittens did not find any infectious cause. Trichograms showed broken hair shafts with longitudinal splitting. Congenital alopecia was unlikely based on the clinical presentation. A behavioural consultation revealed abnormal grooming behaviour by the mother, who chewed and removed the hair from the kittens. The kittens were separated from the queen and alopecia resolved within a few weeks. CONCLUSION: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of alopecia caused by abnormal maternal licking behaviour. Abnormal maternal behaviour should be considered in cases of alopecia affecting a litter of kittens, when infectious and congenital causes have been ruled out.

Monthly application of 10 per cent moxidectin and 2.5 per cent imidacloprid spot-on to prevent relapses in generalised demodicosis: a pilot study.

Canine generalised demodicosis (GD) can be difficult to cure, with some dogs requiring life-long treatment. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of monthly 10 per cent moxidectin/2.5 per cent imidacloprid spot-on in maintaining long-term (12 months) clinical and parasitological remission in dogs with relapsing GD. Fourteen dogs were included: 10 with juvenile-onset GD (JOGD) and four with adult-onset GD (AOGD). All dogs had been treated previously and relapsed (1-4 times). Each dog was treated again with either milbemycin oxime 2 mg/kg or ivermectin 400 µg/kg orally once daily, until two consecutive negative skin scrapings at one-month intervals (total 4-7 months of treatment). After treatment discontinuation, 10 per cent moxidectin/2.5 per cent imidacloprid spot-on was applied monthly for 12 months. Dogs were rechecked after 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months, and multiple skin scrapings were taken. Twelve dogs completed the study and were clinically normal and parasitologically negative at each recheck (four dogs with AOGD and eight with JOGD). One dog died suddenly for unrelated reasons, and one dog relapsed. Results of this pilot study suggest that monthly application of 10 per cent moxidectin/2.5 per cent imidacloprid spot-on may be effective as maintenance therapy in relapsing cases of GD.

Efficacy and tolerability of once-daily cephalexin in canine superficial pyoderma: an open controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of oral cephalexin given at 30 mg/kg once daily in dogs with superficial pyoderma and to compare them with those of oral cephalexin given at 15 mg/kg twice daily. METHODS: Twenty dogs with superficial pyoderma were treated with cephalexin at 30 to 60 mg/kg orally once daily (group A) and compared with 20 dogs treated at a dose of 15 to 30 mg/kg orally twice daily (group B). Dogs were treated until 14 days after clinical remission. Type and distribution of lesions, pruritus and general health status were assessed every 14 days using a numerical scale until 14 days after treatment discontinuation. Total scores for each evaluation day were compared between the two groups as well as time to obtain resolution and percentage of relapses. RESULTS: Resolution of superficial pyoderma was obtained in all dogs in 14 to 42 days (median 28 days for both groups), with no difference between groups. Six dogs experienced vomiting or diarrhoea but did not require discontinuation of the treatment. Only one dog (in group A) relapsed nine days after treatment discontinuation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Once-daily cephalexin is as effective as twice-daily cephalexin in the treatment of canine superficial pyoderma.

The use of oral cyclosporin to treat feline dermatoses: a retrospective analysis of 23 cases.

Limited information is available regarding the use of cyclosporin A (CsA) for the treatment of feline dermatoses. The aim of this retrospective study was therefore to describe the efficacy of CsA for the therapy of eosinophilic granuloma (EG), eosinophilic plaque, indolent ulcer, linear granulomas, idiopathic pruritus and stomatitis. A computer search for feline dermatological cases treated with CsA between 1999 and 2004 was performed. Based on history, clinical signs and laboratory diagnostic tests, it was then possible to divide cases into three groups and to select 23 cats. Seven cats had one or more of the following conditions: EG, eosinophilic plaque, indolent ulcer and/or linear granuloma (group A); eight cats had idiopathic pruritus (group B) and eight cats had plasmacytic stomatitis (group C). Doses ranged from 5.8 to 13.3 mg kg(-1) oral CsA. All cats were monitored, with complete serum blood analysis and physical examination, monthly for a minimum of 6 months. Response to therapy was scored (severity of lesions and pruritus) with a 0-10 visual analogue scale at each visit (day 0, day, 30, day 60, day 90). All cats in groups A and B were cured and were maintained on alternate day therapy. In group C, 4/8 patients went into remission, while remaining cats have a fair to good improvement. Routine haematological and biochemical examination failed to reveal abnormalities related to CsA administration.

PCR technique detection of Leishmania spp. but not Mycobacterium spp. in canine cutaneous 'sterile' pyogranuloma/granuloma syndrome.

Cutaneous 'sterile' pyogranuloma/granuloma syndrome (SPGS) is an uncommon canine skin disorder of unknown aetiopathogenesis. Histopathological findings and failure to demonstrate an aetiologic agent are suggestive of this syndrome. Nevertheless, it has been hypothesized that SPGS may be related to an immune response against persistent endogenous or exogenous antigens. The presence of Leishmania and Mycobacterium organisms was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques in 46 canine skin samples histopathologically diagnosed as SPGS. Concomitantly, an immunohistochemical technique for Leishmania detection was applied on the same samples and the results were compared with those from PCR. The PCR technique yielded positive results for Leishmania spp. in 21 out of 46 skin samples. The results of immunohistochemical techniques were identical to those obtained by PCR. The PCR technique gave negative results for Mycobacterium spp. in all the samples examined. These results suggest the importance of looking for Leishmania spp. in skin biopsies with histopathological findings consistent with the diagnosis of SPGS.

Eyelid eosinophilic granuloma in a Siberian husky.

Canine eosinophilic granuloma (CEG) is a rare skin disease of unknown origin. It has been reported in Siberian huskies, Cavalier King Charles spaniels and occasionally in other breeds. The lesions comprise nodules or plaques, mostly localised in the oral cavity. A case of a single cutaneous nodular lesion of CEG on the eyelid of a Siberian husky is described. Complete remission was achieved with oral glucocorticoid treatment.

Two cases of cutaneous nodular dirofilariasis in the cat.

Cutaneous nodular dirofilariasis is occasionally reported in dogs but is rare in cats. This report describes two cases of cutaneous nodular lesions due to Dirofilaria immitis adult parasites in domestic shorthaired cats living in an endemic area in northern Italy.

Dermoid sinus in a golden retriever.

A case of dermoid sinus is reported in a golden retriever. The skin lesion was characterised by a fistulous tract in the dorsal cervical region. Surgical dissection revealed a cyst connected by a fibrous cord to the seventh cervical vertebra.

Efficacy of itraconazole as a combined continuous/pulse therapy in feline dermatophytosis: preliminary results in nine cases.

This study evaluated the efficacy of itraconazole as a combined continuous/pulse therapy for feline dermatophytosis. Nine cats with dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis were treated with itraconazole at 10 mg kg(-1) orally once daily for 28 days and then on an alternate week regimen (1 week off, 1 week on) at the same dosage. Cats were re-evaluated by physical examination and fungal culture at days 28, 42, 56 and 70 if necessary. Treatment was stopped when two consecutive negative fungal cultures were obtained. Eight cats were cured after 56 days, with two negative cultures obtained at days 28 and 42. In one case, a positive culture was obtained at day 28, but negative cultures were achieved at days 42 and 56. This protocol appears to be effective in the treatment of feline dermatophytosis, although these preliminary results should be confirmed by a controlled study.