Feline familial pedal eosinophilic dermatosis in two littermates

Some aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of eosinophilic granuloma in cats

Introduction

Eosinophils represent the most active cells in mammals that show protective and assistive activity in the host immune defence against helminth parasites. These cells are also responsible for the reduction of allergic and inflammatory reactions. The eosinophils play a key role in allergic reactions by secretion of different chemical molecules leading to swelling, lesions and granuloma onset.

Material and Methods

The study was carried out on 30 cats with inflammatory skin lesions. The cats ranged in age from seven months to 13 years, and had an average age of three years. The research methodology included information on the disease, dermatological conclusions, concomitant disorders, medical and laboratory data and the treatment strategy.

Results

In total, 30 cats were diagnosed with eosinophilic granuloma complex. The distribution of lesions was 87.1% in the skin and 12.9% at the skin-mucosal junction. The lesions increased and decreased with the seasons of spring and summer, and the onset of the disease usually coincided with exposure to fleas.

Conclusion

Eosinophilic granuloma complex in cats is a serious pathology and frequently requires lifelong treatment, so it is important to diagnose it quickly and accurately to ensure optimal treatment of affected animals.

Bilateral mastocytic and fibroblastic nodular proliferative dermatosis affecting ear margins in three domestic cats

This case series describes the clinical appearance, histopathological findings and therapeutic trials of proliferative nodular lesions on bilateral ear margins of three domestic cats including two littermates. All therapeutic trials were unsuccessful. While the aetiology remains unclear, this report highlights different hypotheses in presenting this unusual inflammatory and fibroblastic dermatosis in cats.

Ciclosporin and the cat: Current understanding and review of clinical use

Practical relevance: Ciclosporin (CsA) is a systemic immuno-modulatory drug widely used to treat immune-mediated diseases in humans and veterinary species. CsA was registered for use in cats in the USA and Europe in 2011, and is indicated for the treatment of chronic allergic dermatitis at a recommended daily dose of 7 mg/kg PO.

AUDIENCE

This review will be of interest to all veterinarians working with cats, given the wide range of potential applications of CsA and its safety profile. Although the drug is currently only licensed to treat chronic allergic dermatitis in cats, a small number of reports describe its use in non-dermatological conditions. Evidence base: This article reviews the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, adverse effects and clinical use of CsA, both for the licensed indication and for off-label use in the feline patient. Information presented has been summarised from the existing literature on CsA, with specific interest in studies carried out in cats. For its licensed indication, chronic allergic dermatitis, evidence provided includes randomised, placebo or prednisolone-controlled studies (EBM grade I) and prospective or retrospective open trials.