A double-blinded, randomized, methylprednisolone-controlled study on the efficacy of oclacitinib in the management of pruritus in cats with nonflea nonfood-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Oclacitinib is a Janus-kinase inhibitor that decreases interleukin-31-induced pruritus in cats. At 0.4-0.6 mg/kg/day orally, it decreased pruritus and skin lesions in <50% of allergic cats. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate efficacy and safety of oclacitinib in feline nonflea nonfood-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis (NFNFIHD). ANIMALS: Forty cats with NFNFIHD. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Cats were randomly assigned to receive oclacitinib (group A, 20 cats, 0.7-1.2 mg/kg) or methylprednisolone (group B, 20 cats, 0.5-1 mg/kg) orally twice daily for 28 days. On day (D)1 and D28, lesions were evaluated using the Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) scale and owners assessed pruritus using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and quality of life (QoL) questionnaire. Results were analysed by General Linear Mixed Model (P < 0.05). Haematochemical analyses were performed on D1 and D28. RESULTS: In both groups all parameters improved significantly, with no difference at either time point. Group A had a 61% mean SCORFAD and 54% pruritus VAS improvement, compared with 69% and 67% in group B; 70% of cats in group A and 75% in group B achieved a ≥ 50% reduction of pruritus VAS scores; with 60% and 80% of SCORFAD. There were five non-responders in group A and three in group B. The QoL score improved in both groups (25 and 21%). Four of 14 cats had mild increases in kidney function tests (oclacitinib group) and three of 12 cats had elevated alanine transferase (methylprednisolone group). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Oclacitinib appears to be effective for treating pruritus and lesions in cats with NFNFIHD, albeit methylprednisolone seemed to perform better.

An open label clinical trial to evaluate the utility of a hydrolysed fish and rice starch elimination diet for the diagnosis of adverse food reactions in dogs.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of adverse food reaction (AFR) is based on an eight week elimination diet (ED) and is confirmed by relapse upon re-challenge with the previously fed diet. Hydrolysed EDs are commonly used for this purpose. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a commercially available hydrolysed fish protein and rice starch ED for the diagnosis of AFR. ANIMALS: Fifty nonseasonally pruritic dogs. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Pruritus was assessed with a Visual Analog Scale, lesions with the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesions Index and quality of life with a validated questionnaire on days 0 and 56. Antimicrobial treatments were permitted during the first four weeks, and corticosteroids and oclacitinib during the first six weeks. Dogs showing at least 50% pruritus improvement were separately challenged with their prior diet, fish and rice. RESULTS: Thirty eight dogs completed the ED, four were dropped out due to worsening clinical signs, three to low palatability and five were lost to follow-up. In 24 dogs, pruritus improved by >50% and 22 underwent dietary challenges. Of these, 15 reacted to their prior diets and were diagnosed with AFR, whereas seven did not relapse (and a diagnosis of AFR was considered to be doubtful). Five dogs reacted to fish and four to rice. Of the 14 dogs in which pruritus did not improve, some underwent a second ED and others were successfully treated for atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The hydrolysed fish and rice diet seemed to be a useful ED for the diagnosis of AFR, even in dogs allergic to fish or rice.

An assessment of a Western blot method for the investigation of canine cutaneous adverse food reactions.

BACKGROUND: Adverse food reaction (AFR) is diagnosed with a two month elimination diet (ED), followed by challenge with the original food. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate reactivity of selected EDs and performance of a Western blot serological test for the diagnosis of AFR. ANIMALS: Twenty five food reactive (FR) and 13 non food reactive (NFR) privately owned dogs. METHODS: Sera were tested for antibodies against hydrolyzed poultry feather (RCA), hydrolyzed soy (PHA), hydrolyzed fish (FUH), limited antigen horse and potato (THP), fresh horse meat and the offending food for each FR dog as documented by provocative challenge. RESULTS: Fourteen sera were negative and two positive to all foods. Sera from five of 13 NFR and three of 25 FR dogs were reactive to hydrolyzed foods. The RCA diet was recognized by four of 38, FUH by six of 38 and PHA by one of 28 samples. THP was recognized by 14 of 33 and fresh horse by one of ten dogs that had never eaten horse meat. The test correctly identified one of 15 dogs allergic to FUH. Twenty of 25 FR sera were negative for the dogs' respective offending foods (20% sensitivity), whereas four of 13 NFR sera were positive to the dogs' usual diets (69% specificity). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Western blot analysis cannot be considered as a valid tool for the diagnosis of AFR; it may serve as an aid in selecting an ED.