Comparison of intradermal and percutaneous testing to histamine, saline and nine allergens in healthy adult cats.

Background: Intradermal testing (IDT) in cats has potential limitations; this has led to an interest in novel testing methods. A pilot study demonstrated that healthy cats produced reliable percutaneous glycerinated (PG) histamine wheals, whereas percutaneously applied glycerosaline did not lead to wheal formation.

Hypothesis/objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if percutaneously applied aqueous and glycerinated allergens would lead to irritant reactions in healthy cats.

LD-aminopterin in the canine homologue of human atopic dermatitis: a randomized, controlled trial reveals dosing factors affecting optimal therapy.

Background: Options are limited for patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who do not respond to topical treatments. Antifolate therapy with systemic methotrexate improves the disease, but is associated with adverse effects. The investigational antifolate LD-aminopterin may offer improved safety.

A pilot study of the validation of percutaneous testing in cats.

Background: Intradermal testing is useful for the identification of environmental allergens to which cats could be hypersensitive; intradermal test reactions are often subtle and difficult to interpret in cats. Percutaneous testing is the standard technique for the detection of significant environmental allergens in people, but it has not yet been evaluated in cats with hypersensitivity dermatitis.

Hypothesis/objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the skin test responses of healthy cats to percutaneous application and intradermal injections of control solutions.

A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study to evaluate an effective ciclosporin dose for the treatment of feline hypersensitivity dermatitis.

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.

Masitinib decreases signs of canine atopic dermatitis: a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial.

This study investigated the efficacy and safety of masitinib, a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor capable of downregulating mast cell functions, for treatment of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD). Dogs with confirmed CAD received masitinib at 12.5 mg/kg/day (n = 202) or control (n = 104) for 12 weeks.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of EFF1001, an Actinidia arguta (hardy kiwi) preparation, on CADESI score and pruritus in dogs with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.

Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is common and new therapies are beneficial. This multicentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study tested the efficacy of Actinidia arguta (hardy kiwi) (EFF1001) in dogs with mild/moderate AD. The study was divided into two stages.

Investigations on the nature and pathogenicity of circulating antikeratinocyte antibodies in dogs with pemphigus foliaceus.

In humans with pemphigus foliaceus (PF), pathogenic autoantibodies are principally of IgG4 subclass and they cause superficial vesiculation when injected into neonatal mice. The objectives of this study were to determine the isotypes of circulating antikeratinocyte antibodies in dogs with PF, to assess whether serum antikeratinocyte antibody titres decreased during successful treatment, and to study whether such antibodies were pathogenic in passive transfers. Using indirect immunofluorescence with neonatal mouse skin substrates, circulating antikeratinocyte IgG antibodies were detected in 36 of 44 dogs with PF (82%).