A retrospective analysis of the use of lokivetmab in the management of allergic pruritus in a referral population of 135 dogs in the western USA

Abstract

Lokivetmab at labelled dosages was a fast, safe and efficacious therapy for the control of pruritus in dogs with allergic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis in West Highland white terriers – part I: natural history of atopic dermatitis in the first three years of life

“…Moreover, the broad definition used herein is similar to those used in other clinical studies. 12,13 It is considered unlikely that the selected broad cAD (bsAD) definition used herein markedly influenced the calculated disease prevalence in WHWT by the time the dogs had reached early adulthood. An overall disease prevalence of 52% in WHWT may be perceived as very high; however, this breed has been shown for a long time to be predisposed to this disease.…”

“…The definition is in keeping with clinical trials. 12,13 The broader definition was used for all analyses.…”

New therapies for canine atopic dermatitis

“…It has been shown to be as effective as ciclosporin for the control of pruritus and inflammation in CAD over a period of three months with a more rapid onset of action (often within 24 hours) (Moyaert and others 2017). In one study 77 per cent of dogs treated had a greater than or equal to 50 per cent reduction in owner-assessed levels of pruritus and clinical improvement was noted within 24 hours in 56 per cent of dogs treated (Souza and others 2018). In the same study it was noted that response to oclacitinib is to some degree a good predictor of whether the case will response to lokivetmab, although many cases that had a poor or no response to once daily oclacitinib still responded to lokivetmab.…”

“…Oclacitinib has a short half-life in the dog and as a result of this clinical experience has shown that many cases are well controlled with twice daily therapy but there is often some recurrence of pruritus on reduction to once daily treatment, although most cases are still obviously improved compared to pretreatment (Souza and others 2018). For this reason, and because oclacitinib is only licensed for once daily treatment when used long term, we will often initiate treatment on a once daily basis, as this avoids the inevitable client concern when there is some recurrence of pruritus when treatment is reduced from twice to once daily.…”

“…Allergen-specific immunotherapy is one such option for treatment but it is recognised that some younger patients may test negative on intradermal or serological testing and should be retested when they are over one year of age (Fadok and others 2014). Lokivetmab may be a preferable alternative to glucocorticoids or ciclosporin to control pruritus in these cases until the dog is old enough for intradermal or serology testing and, furthermore, lokivetmab does not seem to affect the results of intradermal testing (Souza and others 2018).…”