Clinical relevance of intradermal test results in atopic dogs.

TOPIC AND AIMS: Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory and pruritic skin disease and in most cases associated with IgE antibodies against environmental allergens. To date, the only causative therapeutic option is allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Offending allergens for AIT can be identified by intradermal testing (IDT) or serum allergen-specific IgE testing. The aim of the study was to evaluate positive IDT results considering the atopic dogs' clinical history. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An IDT was performed on 48 atopic dogs and their owners completed a detailed questionnaire about the seasonal course of their pruritus. Results of IDT were correlated with the seasonal occurrence of pruritus. RESULTS: The most common positive IDT reactions were observed to mite allergens (33.3-62.5 %). Prevalence of positive reactions to individual tree, grass and weed pollen ranged between 8.3 % and 25 %. Moulds and epithelial allergens produced positive reactions in only 0-6.3 %. A correlation between positive IDT reactions and course of pruritus could neither be found for perennial nor for seasonal allergens. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of IDT reactions may not be an optimal method for identification of clinically relevant allergens in canine AD. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study emphasise the importance of considering clinical history in addition to allergy test results in the formulation of an allergen extract for desensitisation.

Efficacy of intravesical pentosan polysulfate sodium in cats with obstructive feline idiopathic cystitis.

OBJECTIVES: Obstructive feline idiopathic cystitis is a common emergency in small animal practice. There is evidence for a defective glycosaminoglycan layer in the urinary bladder of affected cats. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intravesical pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) in cats with obstructive feline idiopathic cystitis in a randomised, placebo-controlled, blinded clinical study. METHODS: Thirty-five cats with obstructive feline idiopathic cystitis were enrolled into the study. On day 0, cats were randomised to receive either 30 mg PPS in saline (18 cats) or saline alone as placebo (17 cats) at the time of indwelling urinary catheter placement and then after 24 and 48 h. The catheter was clamped for 30 mins after administration before connecting it to a sterile urine collection system. The procedure was repeated after 24 and 48 h, and then the indwelling catheter was removed. Treatment success was assessed via the incidence of recurrent urethral obstruction, results of a scoring system for physical examination and daily urinalysis from day 0 to 5. RESULTS: Recurrent urethral obstruction occurred in 3/18 cats of the verum group and 3/17 of the placebo group (P = 1.000). The verum group showed a significantly lower degree of microscopic haematuria between day 5 and day 0 (P ⩽0.05). The placebo group showed a significantly lower degree of dipstick haematuria between day 5 and day 0 (P ⩽0.05). There was no difference in the clinical score between the groups in the investigated time period. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Intravesical instillation of PPS three times within 48 h in the chosen dose had no influence on the incidence of recurrent urethral obstruction and clinical signs in cats with obstructive feline idiopathic cystitis.