Ciclosporin oral solution in cats: a retrospective survey of compliance with treatment and adverse effects.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess long-term ciclosporin oral solution compliance in cats treated for feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS). METHODS: A survey was sent by email to 114 owners who had administered ciclosporin oral solution to their cats for FASS. RESULTS: In total, 42 owners completed the survey. The population was composed of 30 domestic shorthair cats and 12 pure breeds. There were 20 males and 22 females, and the median age was 5.5 years. Ciclosporin oral solution was administered directly into the mouth in 32/42 (76%) and with food/other in 10/42 (24%) cats. The administration was considered easy in 18/42 (43%) cats, difficult in 23/42 (55%) and impossible in 1/42 (2%). Treatment was stopped in 25/42 (60%) cats. The causes were as follows: administration difficulty (nine cats, 21%); complete resolution (four cats, 10%); treatment failure (four cats, 10%); price (two cats, 4%); and other causes (two deaths, two neoplasia, one adverse effect and one lack of compliance). Adverse effects involving clinical signs were reported in 25 (60%) cats: ptyalism (8/42); dysorexia/anorexia (6/42); vomiting (4/42); diarrhoea (4/42); gingival hyperplasia (1/42); and a combination of vomiting, diarrhoea and ptyalism (2/42). In addition, altered behaviour was reported in 27/42 (64%) cats: hiding in seven cats; scared of owner in 10 cats; modification of sleeping or playing activity in six cats; inappropriate urination/defecation in two cats; aggression in one cat; and all of the above in one cat. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In total, 24 (57%) cats had adverse effects involving both clinical signs and altered behaviour, and only six cats had either adverse clinical signs or behavioural changes. This survey showed that behavioural changes appear to be underestimated in the cats treated with ciclosporin oral solution and this could cause treatment failure due to lack of compliance. Larger-scale studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

Alopecia X in a cloned Pomeranian dog.

A two-year-old Pomeranian dog with Alopecia X was cloned after accidental death. Despite earlier castration, the cloned animal developed the same lesions of Alopecia X at the same age. This observation suggests that the disease is due to genetically programmed hair cycle arrest without strong environmental influences.

Un chien de Poméranie de 2 ans atteint d'alopécie X a été cloné après un décès accidentel. Malgré une castration antérieure, l'animal cloné a développé les mêmes lésions d'alopécie X au même âge. Cette observation suggère que la maladie est due à un arrêt du cycle pilaire génétiquement programmé sans influence environnementale évidente.

Um cão da raça spitz de dois anos com Alopecia X foi clonado após morte acidental. Apesar da castração precoce, o animal clonado desenvolveu as mesmas lesões da Alopecia X na mesma idade. Esta observação sugere que a doença se deve à interrupção do ciclo capilar geneticamente programada, sem fortes influências ambientais.

Un perro Pomerania de 2 años con Alopecia X fue clonado tras una muerte accidental. A pesar de una castración anterior, el animal clonado desarrolló las mismas lesiones de Alopecia X a la misma edad. Esta observación sugiere que la enfermedad se debe a una detención del ciclo capilar genéticamente programada sin fuertes influencias ambientales.