P‐45 
Treatment of allergic feline asthma with allergen avoidance and specific immunotherapy: 20 cats

Abstract

Skin physiology in cats has received little attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term influence of sex, time and the level of dietary fat and energy on the dynamics and qualities of the hair coat. Twenty-four European short-haired laboratory cats were followed over a 1-year period. They were divided into eight groups of three, according to: sex (12 males and 12 females), sexual status (intact or neutered) and diets [(high energy 4300 kcal/kg as fed, 21% fat) vs. (moderate energy 3500 kcal/kg as fed, 10% fat)]. Both diets were fed for 6 months to all cats following a cross-over design. The following parameters were evaluated throughout the study: thickness of hair coat and hair lengths (neck, rump, lateral, flank), hair regrowth (after periodic clippings of 25 cm 2 areas), and telogen/anagen ratio. The thickness of the hair coat initially varied from 1.2-1.7 cm on the neck, 1-1.4 cm on the rump, 1.8-2.5 cm on the flank, and hair shaft lengths were 1.7-2.5, 3.7-3.9 and 2.5-3.2 cm, respectively. Comparison of values revealed few statistical differences: increase of the thickness of hair coat in neutered cats (male and female) during the study, and increase of the length of lateral hairs in all groups during the study. Over all periods and in all groups, the curve of growth was similar (rapid then slower). Some transient variations were attributed to temporary changes in ambient conditions. In conclusion, neither sex, nutrition or season (in housed cats) influenced the general quality of hair coat, in particular hair regrowth. Funding: Royal Canin. Veterinary Dermatology 2004, 15 (Suppl. 1), 41-69 Ó 2004 ESVD and ACVD 41 Poster Abstracts Poster Abstracts

Evaluation of biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for discrimination between asthma and chronic bronchitis in cats

“…There was no significant (P = 0.167) difference among groups. Interleukin-4 was not detectable in BALF of any cat in the CLIN ASM group, regardless of whether they were receiving glucocorticoids (n = 6 cats) or not (7). Interferon-γ was detected in only 1 cat in the CLIN ASM group, and that cat was being treated with glucocorticoids at the time of collection.…”

“…When cats with chronic bronchitis have evidence of respiratory distress (as did 1 cat in the CLIN CB group), in the authors' opinion, it is usually minimally responsive to bronchodilators both clinically and radiographically (ie, there is radiographic persistence of air trapping). Additionally, because asthma in cats is believed to be allergic in origin, 2,6,7 eosinophils are a key cell type involved in airway inflammation. Additional support for the idea that cats have allergic asthma is the ability to experimentally replicate the major features of asthma in research cats by use of allergens identified in client-owned cats with naturally developing asthma.…”

“…Although there is strong speculation that asthma in cats is allergic in origin and therefore could be amenable to some specific treatments that may alter Th2cell-driven processes, 2,6,7,22,23 progress in understanding this naturally developing disease is hampered by a lack of clear guidelines on differentiating asthma from chronic bronchitis. In fact, there are > 10 terms used to characterize noninfectious lower airway inflammation in cats.…”

Storage mite contamination of commercial dry dog food in south‐eastern Australia

“…) and exposure on ingestion may contribute to allergic signs in sensitised dogs . Several studies have reported that ingestion of dust mite‐contaminated foodstuffs directly results in hypersensitivity reactions in humans …”

“…Regardless, allergen avoidance has been purported as a means of achieving clinical improvement in atopic dogs sensitised to dust and storage mites . This is supported by avoidance of dry cat food alone leading to resolution of clinical signs of feline asthma in storage mite‐reactive cats in France . Clinical response to avoidance measures and immunotherapy for storage mites alone in atopic dogs is currently unreported.…”