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A randomized double‐blinded placebo‐controlled study to evaluate an effective ciclosporin dose for the treatment of feline hypersensitivity dermatitis
Author(s) -
King Stephen,
Favrot Claude,
Messinger Linda,
Nuttall Tim,
Steffan Jean,
Forster Sophie,
Seewald Wolfgang
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
veterinary dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1365-3164
pISSN - 0959-4493
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3164.2012.01086.x
Subject(s) - ciclosporin , medicine , placebo , cats , adverse effect , clinical trial , anesthesia , chemotherapy , pathology , alternative medicine
Background – Hypersensitivity dermatitides (HD) are frequently suspected in cats, but there are few clinical studies on safe and effective treatments in the published literature. Objectives – To establish a safe and effective dose of ciclosporin in the treatment of feline HD. Animals – One hundred client‐owned cats with feline HD. Methods – Double‐blind study, with cats randomly assigned to receive ciclosporin at either 7.0 mg/kg once daily ( n = 33) or 2.5 mg/kg once daily ( n = 32) or a placebo ( n = 35) for 6 weeks. Results – Mean Total Lesion Scores with 7.0 mg/kg ciclosporin were significantly lower than with 2.5 mg/kg ciclosporin ( P = 0.0047) or placebo ( P = 0.0003) at study end. Individual Total Lesion Scores improved by >50% in 70% of the 7.0 mg/kg group, compared with 47% in the 2.5 mg/kg group and 23% in the placebo group ( P = 0.0006). The investigators’ Global Assessment of Improvement was ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ in 61% of cats treated with 7.0 mg/kg ciclosporin, compared with 47% of cats given 2.5 mg/kg and 23% given placebo. The improvement in Investigator Pruritus Scores was significantly greater in cats treated with 7.0 mg/kg ciclosporin (54%) compared with both 2.5 mg/kg ciclosporin (32%; P = 0.0232) and placebo (21%; P = 0.0063). Mild gastrointestinal disorders were the most common adverse events, but these did not require cessation of therapy. Conclusions and clinical importance – Results suggest that 7.0 mg/kg ciclosporin once daily in food or per os for 6 weeks is effective and well tolerated in feline HD.