Measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in cats with experimental skin barrier dysfunction using a closed chamber system.

BACKGROUND: A closed chamber evaporimeter is suitable for measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in cats because of the compact device size, tolerance to sudden movement and short measuring time. TEWL is a representative parameter for skin barrier dysfunction, which is one of the clinical signs of atopic dermatitis in humans and dogs. Measurement of feline TEWL has been reported, but applicability of this parameter has not been validated. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine if tape stripping is a valid experimental model in cats for studying TEWL and to determine if a closed chambered system is a suitable measurement tool for cats. ANIMALS: Ten clinically normal cats. METHODS: In order to evaluate variation of the measured values, TEWL was measured at the right and left side of the three clipped regions (axillae, lateral thigh and groin). Subsequently, TEWL was measured using sequential tape stripping of the stratum corneum as a model of acute barrier disruption. RESULTS: The variations between both sides of the three regions showed no significant difference. Sequential tape stripping was associated with increasing values for TEWL. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Feline TEWL was shown to reflect changes in the skin barrier in an experimental model using a closed chamber system and has the potential for evaluating skin barrier function in cats with skin diseases.

The modified corneocyte surface area measurement as an index of epidermal barrier properties: inverse correlation with transepidermal water loss.

BACKGROUND: Corneocyte surface area (CSA) is as established parameter for skin barrier function in humans. Measurement of canine CSA has been previously reported but has not been validated. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of CSA as a barrier function parameter in dogs. ANIMALS: Six clinically normal beagle dogs. METHODS: CSA was measured and compared with transepidermal water loss (TEWL) using sequential tape stripping of the stratum corneum as a model of acute barrier disruption. Then, CSA and TEWL were measured at four anatomical sites (groin, lower back, nasal bridge and pinna). The correlation between the two indices was also evaluated. RESULTS: From the results of sequential tape stripping, CSA values gradually decreased with increasing number of tape strippings. The CSA values were inversely correlated with the TEWL ones. The two indices at different sites were variable and were strongly correlated. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Canine CSA was demonstrated to be a useful parameter for the canine skin barrier function. The results from the anatomical sites imply that the cephalic sites (nasal bridge and pinna) were lower than others in skin barrier function.

The concentration of iodine in horse serum and its relationship with thyroxin concentration by geological difference.

In this study, iodine and thyroxin (T4) concentrations in the serum of 69 horses were investigated. Higher iodine concentrations were obtained from the horses housed in Chiba Prefecture. In contrast, T4 concentrations of horses at Shizuoka Prefecture were higher than those of horses at Chiba Prefecture. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.643, P < 0.001) between the iodine and T4 concentrations of horses at Saitama and Shizuoka prefectures. Although a significant correlation (r = 0.794, P < 0.001) was also observed in the investigation of all horses at Chiba Prefecture, the distribution area of the data was separated from the data of horses housed in Saitama and Shizuoka prefectures. A higher iodine concentration in the environment is expected in the sampling area at Chiba Prefecture. Thus, it was suggested that the concentrations of iodine in the serum of horses are influenced by geological differences. It was thought that equine serum is a useful sample for monitoring.

A pilot study of skin stretching and blood circulation effects of dermal suctioning in dogs.

Dermal suctioning has been reported to yield effects similar to those of cupping therapy in humans and horses, including pain reduction, increased blood circulation, improved flexibility, and healing. However, there is a dearth of reported outcomes concerning cupping or dermal suctioning in dogs. In this study, we examined the physiological effects of dermal suctioning in dogs. Employing the Medicell MINI pro8 device, dermal suctioning was applied to the dorsal surfaces of eight healthy beagle dogs for 20 min. Metrics such as body surface temperature, rectal temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and skin pinch test results were gauged. Seven healthy beagle dogs were used as controls, and the same measurements were performed without dermal suctioning. The results showed a significant increase in the body surface temperature and skin pinch test results after dermal suctioning. We believe that the elimination of torsion in the blood vessels and nerves in the shallow fascia positively affected the thermoregulatory mechanism, resulting in an increase in body surface temperature, and also improving skin flexibility. Thus, dermal suctioning promotes subcutaneous blood circulation and improves skin flexibility in dogs. Further research is needed to identify the mechanisms underlying the effects of dermal suctioning and evaluate the stress in dogs caused by the implementation of the process.

Establishment and application of a new 4/6 infarct nephrectomy rat model for moderate chronic kidney disease.

PURPOSE: To develop a new 4/6 infarct nephrectomy (INx) model rat mimicking moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to evaluate its application. METHODS: We modified the conventional 5/6 INx rat model to create the 4/6 INx model by ligating the renal artery branch to induce infarction of one-third of the left kidney after right kidney removal and compared biochemically and histologically both models. To demonstrate the application of the 4/6 INx model, the effects of a supplementary compound containing calcium carbonate, chitosan, palm shell activated charcoal etc., that is effective for both CKD and its complications, were compared between both models. RESULTS: Impairment of renal function in the 4/6 INx group was significantly more moderate than in the 5/6 INx group (P < 0.05). The 4/6 INx group showed less histological damage in kidney than in the 5/6 INx group. The supplementary compound did not improve CKD in the 5/6 INx group, but ameliorated elevation of blood urea nitrogen in the 4/6 INx group. CONCLUSIONS: We developed the 4/6 INx model, which is more moderate than the conventional 5/6 INx model. This model could potentially demonstrate the effectiveness of drugs and supplements intended to prevent CKD and its progression.

Transepidermal water loss in cats: comparison of three differently clipped sites to assess the influence of hair coat on transepidermal water loss values.

BACKGROUND: The measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is one of the parameters that can be used to assess skin barrier function. The variability and reliability of TEWL measurements in dogs have been controversial, and the hair coat has been considered as one of the factors that may cause variation of TEWL values. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to establish a suitable procedure for measuring feline TEWL, to evaluate the influence of hair coat on TEWL measurements and to assess variations of TEWL at different anatomical sites. METHODS: Transepidermal water loss was measured using a closed-chamber evaporimeter, the VapoMeter(®). We compared three adjacent sites in the groin area of 10 clinically normal, domestic short hair cats. One site was unclipped, the second was trimmed with scissors and the third was shaved using electric clippers. Values of TEWL were obtained for 48 h after trimming with scissors and clippers. Five sites were clipped (upper back, lumbar back, lateral thigh, axillae and groin), and the TEWL was measured. RESULTS: The mean and SD of TEWL values of the clipper-trimmed site were the smallest, followed in order by the site trimmed with scissors and the unclipped site. The TEWL values were statistically constant in the clipper-trimmed site, while the values in the unclipped sites were not. There was no statistically significant difference in TEWL values between all of the anatomical sites except for the axillae. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Hair clipping of sites with electric clippers is recommended for TEWL measurement in cats.

Changes in physiological parameters in healthy dogs on an underwater treadmill when the water level is set at the hip joint.

Understanding internal and external loading in exercise is important for safe rehabilitation. The physiological parameters of dogs have been studied in swimming, but those of dogs walking on an underwater treadmill have not been documented. In this study, four healthy beagle dogs were examined for changes in physiological parameters before and after walking in water for 20 min at a speed of 4 km/h with the water level set at the height of the hip joint as an external load. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using paired sample t-tests. Results indicated that heart rate (125 ± 11.8 beat/min to 163 ± 9.5 beat/min) and lactate levels (2 ± 0.1 mmol/L to 2.4 ± 0.2 mmol/ L) significantly increased from before to after walking on an underwater treadmill. Additional research is needed on internal loading when using underwater treadmills, which would further contribute to the safety of rehabilitation.

Effect of Hot Water Bottles on Body Temperature during Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Dogs under General Anesthesia: A Retrospective Study.

Prevention of hypothermia induced by anesthesia and enhanced by low environmental temperatures is difficult in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations in dogs as forced warming devices, including magnetic materials, are not acceptable for use in the MRI room. A hot water bottle (HWB) can be carried into an MRI examination room and can contribute to the prevention or attenuation of hypothermia. Here, we retrospectively investigated the effects of HWB on body temperature during MRI examinations in dogs under general anesthesia (GA). From anesthesia records of the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Okayama University of Science, validated data of 100 dogs that underwent an MRI examination under GA were obtained and divided into the following two groups: one group received HWB, while the other did not. Decrease in rectal temperature 15 min after intubation was significantly smaller in the group using HWB than in the group without HWB. In conclusion, the use of hot water bottles might be one of the methods to attenuate hypothermia in the early period but should not be expected for complete prevention of hypothermia, and it was not recommendable necessarily for body temperature management during MRI examinations in dogs under general anesthesia.

Measures of insulin sensitivity, leptin, and adiponectin concentrations in cats in diabetic remission compared to healthy control cats.

Objectives: Firstly, to compare differences in insulin, adiponectin, leptin, and measures of insulin sensitivity between diabetic cats in remission and healthy control cats, and determine whether these are predictors of diabetic relapse. Secondly, to determine if these hormones are associated with serum metabolites known to differ between groups. Thirdly, if any of the hormonal or identified metabolites are associated with measures of insulin sensitivity. Animals: Twenty cats in diabetic remission for a median of 101 days, and 21 healthy matched control cats. Methods: A casual blood glucose measured on admission to the clinic. Following a 24 h fast, a fasted blood glucose was measured, and blood sample taken for hormone (i.e., insulin, leptin, and adiponectin) and untargeted metabolomic (GC-MS and LC-MS) analysis. A simplified IVGGT (1 g glucose/kg) was performed 3 h later. Cats were monitored for diabetes relapse for at least 9 months (270 days). Results: Cats in diabetic remission had significantly higher serum glucose and insulin concentrations, and decreased insulin sensitivity as indicated by an increase in HOMA and decrease in QUICKI and Bennett indices. Leptin was significantly increased, but there was no difference in adiponectin (or body condition score). Several significant correlations were found between insulin sensitivity indices, leptin, and serum metabolites identified as significantly different between remission and control cats. No metabolites were significantly correlated with adiponectin. No predictors of relapse were identified in this study. Conclusion and clinical importance: Insulin resistance, an underlying factor in diabetic cats, persists in diabetic remission. Cats in remission should be managed to avoid further exacerbating insulin resistance.

In vitro anticancer effects of alpelisib against PIK3CA­mutated canine hemangiosarcoma cell lines.

Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a malignant neoplasm that occurs in humans and canines with a poor prognosis owing to metastatic spread, despite effective treatment. The frequency of spontaneous HSA development is higher in canines than in humans. Therefore, canine HSA is a useful model of intractable human disease, which requires early detection and an effective therapeutic strategy. A high frequency of the p110α phosphatidylinositol­4,5­bisphosphate 3­kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) mutations is detected in a comprehensive genome­wide analysis of canine cases of HSA. The present cloned the full­length cDNA of canine PIK3CA and identified a mutation in codon 1047 from canine cases of HSA and cell lines that were established from these. The enforced expression of the 1047th histidine residue (H1047)R or L mutants of canine PIK3CA in HeLa cells enhanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling via Akt phosphorylation. PIK3CA mutant canine HSA cell lines exhibited the hyperphosphorylation of Akt upon EGF stimulation as well. Alpelisib, a molecular targeted drug against PIK3CA activating mutations, exerted a significant antitumor effect in canine PIK3CA­mutated HSA cell lines. By contrast, it had no significant effect on canine mammary gland tumor cell lines harboring PIK3CA mutations. On the whole, the findings of the present study suggest that alpelisib may be highly effective against PIK3CA mutations that occur frequently in canine HSA.

Adiponectin profiles are affected by chronic and acute changes in carbohydrate intake in healthy cats.

Adiponectin is a key adipokine that regulates carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It circulates in stable low (LMW) and high molecular weight (HMW) forms. The aims of this study were to characterize baseline adiponectin profiles (total, LMW and HMW multimers) in healthy cats and to assess the effects of varying dietary carbohydrate content on adiponectin profiles. Cats were maintained on a diet with moderate carbohydrate content (37% metabolisable energy [ME]) for 4 weeks and then randomly allocated to either a low carbohydrate (19% ME) or high carbohydrate (52% ME) diet for 4 weeks. Fasting and postprandial plasma adiponectin profiles were measured by ELISA and sucrose gradient/Western blot. After consuming the moderate carbohydrate diet for 4 weeks, fasting total, HMW and LMW plasma adiponectin concentrations were 5.0±0.6, 2.5±0.5 and 2.6±0.2 µg/mL, respectively. After changing to the low carbohydrate diet, fasting total adiponectin was unchanged but HMW adiponectin increased and LMW adiponectin decreased. No significant postprandial changes were observed. Cats consuming the high carbohydrate diet had increased fasting total and LMW adiponectin with no change in HMW adiponectin. In the postprandial state total adiponectin was reduced and there was a trend towards a decrease in HMW (p=0.086) but not LMW multimers. These data indicate that feline adiponectin multimer profiles are similar to those reported in other species and demonstrate that changes in plasma adiponectin occur in response to chronic and acute carbohydrate intake and these reflect differential changes in adiponectin multimers.

Evaluation of artificial pancreas technology for continuous blood glucose monitoring in dogs.

Artificial pancreas technology, involving "closed-loop" controls with real-time blood glucose monitoring, has been increasing in reliability as its potential for clinical use and application grows. One such device, based on this technology, is the STG-22 (Nikkiso Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) artificial pancreas apparatus. In order to assess the reliability and accuracy of the device for measuring blood glucose, it is important to compare its readings to those obtained using a 'gold standard' method, such as the hexokinase method. Therefore, in the present study, canine blood [glucose] measurements using the STG-22 were compared to those obtained using a previously established commercial reagent, Quickauto-Neo GLU-HK. Furthermore, two different sample types (whole blood versus plasma constituent) were compared to determine which sample type results in more accurate and optimal readings with the STG-22. Given that the STG-22 was not primarily designed for canine blood samples, results for canine blood samples were not accurate. Measurements performed by the STG-22 with whole blood were significantly lower than reference [glucose] counterparts. Alternatively, an opposite trend was observed with plasma measurements that were significantly higher. A conversion format using the following formula, Hexokinase [glucose] = STG-22 [glucose] × 1.407 + 1.532, was observed with canine samples in our study.

Effect of an Insulation Device in Preventing Hypothermia during Magnetic Resonance Imaging Examinations for Dogs and Cats under General Anesthesia.

Dogs and cats under general anesthesia may develop hypothermia. When performing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination, it is not possible to place a magnetic material in the MRI room, and MRI equipment requires a low room temperature. This study investigated the effectiveness of a heat insulating device that prevented hypothermia during MRI examinations in dogs and cats. The animals that underwent MRI examinations under general anesthesia were divided into control groups (no covering) and heat insulating groups (wearing bubble wrap and down cloth blankets), and their body temperatures were measured before and after the MRI examinations. The changes in body temperatures were as follows: control dogs (n = 17), median of -1.0 (from -2.5 to 0.3) °C; heat insulated dogs (n = 7), -0.3 (from -0.8 to 0.2) °C; control cats (n = 14), -1.85 (from -2.7 to -0.6) °C; and heat insulated cats (n = 12), -0.8 (from -1.5 to -0.1) °C. These results revealed that the bubble wrap and down cloth blanket significantly prevented hypothermia and heat loss from the body surface during MRI examinations of dogs and cats.

Postprandial lipid-related metabolites are altered in dogs fed dietary diacylglycerol and low glycemic index starch during weight loss.

In this study, we investigated a combination of a low glycemic index starch (LGIS) and diacylglycerol (DAG) on lipid, lipoprotein (LP) metabolism, and weight management. Obese, intact female adult Beagle dogs were assigned to 1 of 4 starch/oil combination diets [LGIS/DAG (LD); LGIS/triacylglycerol (TAG); high glycemic index starch (HGIS)/DAG; and HGIS/TAG (HT)] and fed for 9 wk (n = 6/group) using an incomplete 4 × 4 Latin square design. Each dog was fed 1 of 2 opposite starch/oil combination diets (e.g. LD and HT). At wk 1 and 8, postprandial blood was collected for plasma triacylglycerol (TG), ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total cholesterol (TC), and LP analyses. During the same week, dogs were overnight feed-deprived and post-heparin blood was collected for LP lipase and hepatic lipase activity determinations. At wk 1, 4, and 8, blood was drawn from overnight feed-deprived dogs for plasma TG, BHB, TC, LP, leptin, and adiponectin measurements. Feces were collected at wk 3 for digestibility calculations. The LGIS diets resulted in lower carbohydrate, protein, total tract dry matter digestibilities, and metabolizable energy compared with the HGIS diet groups (P < 0.05). Thus, the LGIS groups lost more body weight (P = 0.001), which was positively correlated with plasma leptin concentrations (r(2) = 0.427; P < 0.001). Moreover, the LGIS diet lowered TC concentrations in combination with DAG. The DAG diet groups decreased postprandial TG and increased BHB concentrations (P < 0.05). Starch/oil types did not alter lipase activities or adiponectin concentrations. In conclusion, the LGIS diet demonstrated potential as a weight management tool in dogs by decreasing postprandial TG and increasing BHB in combination with DAG.

Novel canine isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutation Y208C attenuates dimerization ability.

Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutations are common in gliomas, acute myeloid leukemia, and chondrosarcoma. The mutation 'hotspot' is a single arginine residue, R132. The R132H mutant of IDH1 produces the 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) carcinogen from α-ketoglutarate (α-KG). The reduction of α-KG induces the accumulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α subunit (HIF-1α) in the cytosol, which is a predisposing factor for carcinogenesis. R132H is the most common IDH1 mutation in humans, but mutations at the R132 residue can also occur in tumor tissues of dogs. The current study reported the discovery of a novel Tyr208Cys (Y208C) mutation in canine IDH1 (cIDH1), which was isolated from 2 of 45 canine chondrosarcoma cases. As the genomic DNA isolated from chondrosarcoma tissue was mutated, but that isolated from blood was not, Y208C mutations were considered to be spontaneous somatic mutations. The isocitrate dehydrogenase activity of the Y208C mutant was attenuated compared with that of wild-type (WT) cIDH1, but the attenuation of Y208C was less intense than that of the R132H mutation. The induction of HIF-1α response element activity and cell retention of HIF-1α were not increased by Y208C overexpression. In silico and cell biological analysis of IDH1 dimerization revealed that the Y208C mutation, but not the R132H mutation, attenuated binding activity with WT cIDH1. These data suggested that the attenuation of dimerization by the Y208C mutation may cause tumorigenesis through different mechanisms other than via 2-HG production by the IDH1 R132 mutation.

Feline adiponectin: molecular structures and plasma concentrations in obese cats.

Adiponectin is an adipokine that is specifically expressed in adipose tissues, directly sensitizes the body to insulin via specific receptors and its decreased plasma concentration is responsible for insulin resistance in obese humans. Diabetes is an important problem also in veterinary medicine, and feline diabetes is very similar to human type 2 diabetes, in which obesity is an important risk factor. In the present study, We obtained cDNA clones corresponding to feline adiponectin and adiponectin receptor 1 (AD-R1), whose nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences were highly identical to those of other species, especially, the extra-cellular domain of feline AD-R1 was almost identical to that of human AD-R1. Adiponectin mRNA was exclusively detected in the adipose tissue, but AD-R1 was in all tissues tested in this study. Next, plasma samples were collected from 22 cats visiting veterinary practices. They were divided to 2 groups based on a five-point scale body condition score (BCS), such as normal group (BCS ranged from 2.5 through 3.5) and obese group (BCS ranged from 4.0 through 5.0). Plasma adiponectin in obese cats (7.2 +/- 1.5 microg/ml) was significantly lower than that of normal cats (18.0 +/- 3.2 microg/ml). These results suggest that adiponectin may be responsible for insulin function also in the cat, and it can be a target molecule for treatment of obesity and diabetes in cats.

Establishment and application of a new 4/6 infarct nephrectomy rat model for moderate chronic kidney disease

Purpose: To develop a new 4/6 infarct nephrectomy (INx) model rat mimicking moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to evaluate its application. Methods: We modified the conventional 5/6 INx rat model to create the 4/6 INx model by ligating the renal artery branch to induce infarction of one-third of the left kidney after right kidney removal and compared biochemically and histologically both models. To demonstrate the application of the 4/6 INx model, the effects of a supplementary compound containing calcium carbonate, chitosan, palm shell activated charcoal etc., that is effective for both CKD and its complications, were compared between both models. Results: Impairment of renal function in the 4/6 INx group was significantly more moderate than in the 5/6 INx group (P < 0.05). The 4/6 INx group showed less histological damage in kidney than in the 5/6 INx group. The supplementary compound did not improve CKD in the 5/6 INx group, but ameliorated elevation of blood urea nitrogen in the 4/6 INx group. Conclusions: We developed the 4/6 INx model, which is more moderate than the conventional 5/6 INx model. This model could potentially demonstrate the effectiveness of drugs and supplements intended to prevent CKD and its progression.

Leptin inhibits mitogen-induced proliferation of peripheral T lymphocytes from Holstein cows.

This study examined the mitogenic response of bovine peripheral T lymphocytes to leptin, a pleiotropic hormone regulating food intake and energy expenditure. Leptin alone slightly suppressed proliferation of T lymphocytes in the presence of concanavalin A (ConA). Leptin also inhibited proliferation of T lymphocytes induced by anti-CD3 antibody. ConA treatment activated some protein kinases, including p44/p42(MAPK) and Akt/PKB, while anti-CD3 antibody treatment increased mRNA expression of suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) 3, interferon (IFN)gamma, interleukin (IL) 2 and IL4 in T lymphocytes. Leptin alone increased only SOCS3 mRNA expression. Simultaneous treatment with mitogens and leptin enhanced IFNgamma mRNA expression but decreased IL2 mRNA expression, without any synergistic effect on phosphorylation of protein kinases or mRNA expression of SOCS3 and IL4. These results suggest that leptin modulates bovine T lymphocyte functions.

Induction of proinflammatory cytokines and caspase-1 by leptin in monocyte/macrophages from holstein cows.

The proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) containing both monocyte/macrophages and T lymphocytes increased after treatment with T-cell mitogen (concanavalin A: Con A). PBMC treated with either leptin alone or combination of leptin and ConA showed enhanced proliferative activity by 10-40%, compared with those treated with ConA alone. In contrast, isolated T lymphocytes treated with leptin and ConA showed lowered proliferative activity than the ConA-treated alone, indicating that leptin induced production of some cytokines from monocyte/macrophages, that subsequently resulted in enhancement of T lymphocytes proliferation in PBMC. Among the cytokines examined, monocyte/monocytes constitutively expressed interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-12p35, IL-18 mRNA, and faintly expressed tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and IL-12p40 mRNA. Leptin treatment augmented the monocyte/macrophages mRNA expression of only TNF-alpha and IL-12p40 to comparable levels of cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, leptin treatment increased monocyte/macrophages production of IL-1beta as well as TNF-alpha, and induced the mRNA expression of caspase-1, which is shown to mediate the conversion of latent pro-IL-1beta and pro-IL-18 to active forms. These results suggest that leptin directly acts on monocyte/macrophages to produce factors that induce T lymphocytes proliferation such as IL-12p35/p40 complex through IL-12p40 induction and IL-1beta/IL-18 production through caspase-1 induction.

Proliferative and necrotizing otitis externa in a kitten: successful treatment with intralesional and topical corticosteroid therapy.

Proliferative and necrotising otitis externa (PNOE) is a very rare disease affecting the ear canals and concave pinnae of kittens. This report describes a 5-month-old cat with PNOE. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment was initiated with local injection of methylprednisolone acetate into the lesions. The cat was subsequently treated with clobetasol propionate cream, a potent topical glucocorticoid ointment. The cat showed marked improvement. While topical treatment with tacrolimus, an immunosuppressive agent, is reported to be an effective therapy, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to treat PNOE with local corticosteroid therapy.