[Effects of a homeopathic medication on clinical signs of canine atopic dermatitis]. / Wirkung eines homöopathischen Arzneimittels auf die klinische Symptomatik von Hunden mit atopischer Dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE: A commercially available medication containing homeopathic ingredients showed first signs of success in atopic dermatitis in dogs. The aim of this case series was to evaluate the effect of the preparation in a larger number of dogs with atopic dermatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten atopic dogs received the oral homoeopathic combination preparation daily for 3 weeks according to the manufacturer's specifications. The diagnosis of atopic dermatitis was made previously by medical history, clinical examination and exclusion of differential diagnoses. Skin infections with bacteria and yeasts were excluded by clinical examination and cytological evaluation of impression smears. In food-allergic dogs, an elimination diet was fed at least 2 months prior and during the entire study period. Patients with suspected or confirmed flea allergy received flea control for at least 1 month prior to and during the study. The clinical signs were evaluated before and after therapy using a validated Pruritus Visual Analogue Acale (PVAS) and the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index (CADLI). The coat quality was assessed by the owners. Possible adverse effects were recorded at the recheck. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in the lesion score (Wilcoxon test, p = 1.0), pruritus score (paired t test, p = 0.34) and coat quality (paired t test, p = 0.34) over the duration of treatment. Only one patient showed a slight improvement in itching and coat quality. No side effects were observed. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this case series, the tested homoeopathic preparation did not show a positive effect on the clinical signs of canine atopic dermatitis.

Agreement of serum allergen test results with unblocked and blocked IgE against cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD) and intradermal test results in atopic dogs.

BACKGROUND: Tests for allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) are used to select allergens for immunotherapy in atopic dogs. Antibodies against cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (anti-CCD IgE) have been identified in serum samples of atopic dogs. Their presence in humans is a known cause of clinically irrelevant polysensitization to plant allergens. OBJECTIVES: To compare the results of an intradermal test (IDT) and a serum test for allergen-specific IgE, with and without blocking anti-CCD IgE, before testing in dogs. ANIMALS: Thirty-one privately owned dogs with atopic dermatitis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Dogs were prospectively skin tested and their serum samples were analysed for anti-CCD IgE. An Fc-ε receptor-based serum test for allergen-specific IgE was performed with and without blocking anti-CCD IgE. RESULTS: In dogs with negative anti-CCD IgE samples, the agreement between the results of the serum test and the IDT was substantial (κ = 0.71). Dogs with positive anti-CCD IgE samples (38.7%) showed no agreement between serum and skin testing (κ = -0.35), blocking anti-CCD IgE in those samples resulted in a fair agreement (κ = 0.43). Anti-CCD IgE positive sera had multiple positive results for grass and weed allergens, and blocking decreased them markedly. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Intradermal testing agreed best with serum testing in dogs with no detectable anti-CCD IgE. Sera containing anti-CCD IgE had no agreement with IDT. Test agreement was improved by blocking the anti-CCD IgE. Apparent serum test polysensitization to plant allergens was associated with anti-CCD IgE.

Effect of an insect protein-based diet on clinical signs of dogs with cutaneous adverse food reactions. / Effekt eines Insektenprotein-basierten Futters auf die Symptomatik von futtermittelallergischen Hunden.

OBJECTIVE: Edible insects (like mealworms, locusts and crickets) contain energy, protein, fatty acids, minerals and trace elements and have been found to be high quality food sources. They could provide a new food source for patients with adverse food reactions, as well as being of ecological and ethical interest. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a new commercially available, insect protein-based diet on the clinical signs in those dogs via Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index (CADLI), Pruritus Visual Analogue Scale (PVAS) and coat quality score. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 dogs with atopic dermatitis due to previously diagnosed adverse food reaction were included in this study. This food was the only food fed to the patients for 2 weeks. RESULTS: The lesion score improved in 12 out of 20 dogs in. Only two dogs out of 15, which completed the study, showed mild deterioration of their lesions (on average by 1.5 CADLI points). One dog's skin lesions were unchanged. Pruritus could be reduced in eight patients but remained unchanged in four dogs. Two further patients deteriorated minimally (on average by 1.5 pruritus score points) and one dramatically (8 pruritus score points). The coat quality was only evaluated in 14 dogs. Six of 14 dogs showed an improvement in coat quality. The improvement of the lesion scores (Wilcoxon test, p = 0.007) and coat quality (Wilcoxon test, p = 0.01) was significant, there was no significant change in pruritus scores (p = 0.53). The palatability was very good the compatibility was except for one patient very good. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Based on these results, the investigated insect protein-based diet is an interesting alternative for dogs with food intolerance.

[Repeatability and variability of total T4 measurements at three German veterinary laboratories]. / Reproduzierbarkeit und Variabilität der Thyroxinmessung bei drei deutschen veterinärmedizinischen Laboren.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reproducibility of serum testing for total thyroxine (T4) in three German laboratories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum was taken from 53 dogs with suspected hypothyroidism and divided into five aliquots. Three aliquots of each sample were marked with different names and sent to one laboratory (two aliquots simultaneously and one aliquot 1-3 days later). The remaining aliquots were sent to two other laboratories. Laboratory 1 used an enzyme immunoassay for T4 measurements, whereas laboratories 2 and 3 used a chemiluminescence immunoassay. The agreement between the three laboratories (values within or below the reference interval) was determined using the Cohen's Kappa test. The intra- and interassay variability was calculated for each laboratory and the agreement between samples submitted to the same laboratory was also determined using the Cohen's Kappa test. RESULTS: For n = 23/41 patients tested simultaneously in the three laboratories, all three values were either uniformly below, within or above the respective reference interval. The Cohen's Kappa value for intra- and interassay agreement was 1.0 in laboratory 2 (n = 15, complete agreement), 0.33 in laboratory 1 (n = 16) and 0.37 (intra-) and 0.19 (interassay agreement) in laboratory 3 (n = 16, low agreement). There was a low agreement between laboratories 1 and 2 and between laboratories 1 and 3 (κ = 0.30 and 0.25, respectively), while a high agreement was determined between laboratories 2 and 3 (κ = 0.68). The intrassay variability of laboratories 1, 2 and 3 was 13.6%, 5.0% and 10.4%, the interassay variability 17.2%, 5.1% and 17.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The differences in the measurement of thyroxine concentrations of the same serum sample in different laboratories and at different time points in the same laboratory underline the high relevance of interpreting laboratory results in context with the clinical signs of hypothyroidism as well as other laboratory values such as TSH concentration.

[Targeting the skin - erythema multiforme in dogs and cats]. / Die Haut als Zielscheibe ­ Erythema multiforme bei Hund und Katze.

This review article will describe the complex nature of erythema multiforme in dogs and cats. The disease pattern will be illustrated in terms of etiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnostics and therapy. Erythema multiforme is a rare, immune-mediated skin disorder with an acute specific reaction pattern of skin and mucous membranes against different underlying causes. Reported triggering factors include drugs, food ingredients and neoplasias, but viral or bacterial infections and vaccine reactions were also identified. In over 20% of the cases the cause cannot be identified. The German Shepherd dog and Pembroke Welsh Corgi seem to be predisposed. Erythematous macules, slightly elevated and peripherally spreading papules as well as circular to arciform patterns were described frequently in the dog. Wheals, plaques, vesicles and bullae that develop into ulcers, are also seen. Frequently affected areas in the dog are the ventrum, mucocutaneous junctions, mouth, pinnae and foot pads. Histopathological findings include single cell necrosis in all layers of the epidermis with lymphocytic satellitosis and a cell-poor interface dermatitis. Elimination of the causative factors and concurrent symptomatic therapy are recommended. The prognosis varies from guarded to fair, depending on the underlying cause, presenting clinical signs and response to therapy.