Efficacy of a 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate spray in presumed feline allergic dermatitis: an open label pilot study

Abstract

This study evaluated the efficacy of a 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate (HCA) spray (Cortavance(®); Virbac SA) in 10 cats with presumed allergic dermatitis. The cats initially received two sprays/100 cm(2) of skin once daily. Clinical lesions (a Feline Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index; FeDESI), pruritus (10 cm visual analog scale with grade descriptors) and owner assessments of efficacy, tolerance and ease of use (from 1=very poor to 5=excellent) were assessed every 14 days. The frequency of treatment was reduced after day 28 in cats with a >50% reduction in FeDESI and pruritus scores. One cat was lost to follow up at day 28 and two at day 42. Intention-to-treat data were analysed. The FeDESI [mean (SD): day 0, 42.2 (15.7) and day 56, 9.9 (11.7); P<0.0001] and pruritus scores [day 0, 61.2 mm (20.1) and day 56, 14.6 mm (16.1); P<0.0001] significantly decreased throughout the trial. The owner scores for tolerance [median (range): day 14, 4 (1-5) and day 56, 4 (3-5); P=0.003] and ease of administration [day 14, 3 (2-5) and day 56, 4 (2-5); P=0.02] significantly increased during the trial, but there was no significant change in efficacy scores [day 14, 4 (3-5) and day 56, 4 (2-5); P=0.5]. There were no adverse effects attributable to the HCA spray, no significant changes in weight [mean (SD): day 0, 5.0 kg (1.4) and day 56, 5.0 kg (1.6); P=0.51] and no significant changes in haematology, biochemistry or urinalysis (n=4). Six cats required every-other-day treatment and four required daily treatment. In conclusion, HCA spray appeared to be effective and safe in these cats, although it is not licensed for use in this species.

Development and validation of a questionnaire to evaluate the Quality of Life of cats with skin disease and their owners, and its use in 185 cats with skin disease

“…Among dermatological conditions, allergic dermatitis is one of the most frequently diagnosed in cats and is characterized by the presence of pruritus and development of skin lesions, such as self‐induced alopecia, excoriations and plaques (eosinophilic plaques) . On the one hand, as for dogs with allergic disease, objective scoring tools have been described to evaluate the severity of skin lesions in feline allergic dermatitis, such as the FeDESI and the SCORFAD . Of these, only the latter was validated, although in a comparative study the former was considered to correlate better with pruritus .…”

“…Owners whose cats had systemic or severe illnesses, other than the dermatological problem, which could have impaired the owner's QoL and that of their pets, were excluded from the study. In cats affected by allergic dermatitis, clinical scores were assessed by the validated SCORing Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) and the unvalidated Feline Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (FeDESI) scales; pruritus was evaluated by the owners by means of a descriptive Visual Analog Scale (VAS), adopted from canine studies …”

Evaluation of the correlation between Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis and Feline Extent and Severity Index and skin hydration in atopic cats

“…Glucocorticoid, ciclosporin and antihistamine medications, and polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements, were all withdrawn for at least two months. The SCORFAD and FeDESI scores were calculated directly before skin hydration was measured, according to published methods . Cats were acclimatized to a room with a temperature ranging from 21 to 25°C and humidity of 41–60%.…”

“…The FeDESI system has not been validated and is based on a modification of the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI) scoring system; it applies a score of zero to five for erythema, abrasions/erosions and self‐induced alopecia for 42 body sites. An affected cat can therefore score a maximum of 630 points …”

“…An affected cat can therefore score a maximum of 630 points. 5 Evaluation of the integrity of the cutaneous barrier can be achieved by measuring of biophysical parameters such as trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration (SH), skin pH or severity of erythema. Trans epidermal water loss has been reported for healthy dogs, cats and horses, and for dogs and cats with AD.…”