Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Lokivetmab treatment for allergic itching in 135 dogs in western USA
By Souza, Clarissa P et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2018·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: 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.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 132 dogs with allergic skin issues, known as atopic dermatitis, were treated with a medication called lokivetmab to help relieve their itching. After starting treatment, about 88% of the dogs showed improvement in their itching, with 77% experiencing a significant reduction in symptoms. Larger dogs and those with more severe itching before treatment had better chances of success. While lokivetmab was generally safe and effective, some dogs did experience side effects like lethargy and vomiting. Overall, lokivetmab proved to be a fast and effective option for managing itching in dogs with allergic dermatitis.
People also search for: dog itching treatment · lokivetmab for dogs · allergic dermatitis in dogs · dog skin problems medication
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lokivetmab neutralizes IL-31, a cytokine that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) in dogs. OBJECTIVE: To review experience of one year of treatment with lokivetmab for the control of pruritus in dogs with allergic dermatitis. ANIMALS: Eighty dogs diagnosed with AD, ten with concurrent adverse food reaction and AD and 45 with allergic dermatitis of undetermined cause. Three dogs were lost to follow- up. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Retrospective analysis of medical records of dogs with allergic dermatitis treated with lokivetmab from November 2015 to October 2016. Treatment success for owner-assessed pruritus was empirically defined as ≥2 cm reduction in Visual Analog Scale (pVAS) from baseline. A ≥50% reduction in pVAS also was recorded. RESULTS: Pruritus improvement was achieved in 116 of 132 dogs (87.8%) following initial lokivetmab administration at 1.8 to 3.7 mg/kg (P < 0.001). A pVAS reduction of ≥50% was recorded in 104 dogs (77.0%). Dogs with severe/very severe pruritus prior to treatment and large/giant sized dogs, had 2.7 and 2.8 times higher odds of treatment success, respectively. There were no significant associations between treatment success and age of onset of clinical signs, disease chronicity, lokivetmab dosage or age at initial lokivetmab administration. Dogs that did not previously respond to oclacitinib were less likely to respond to lokivetmab. Adverse effects including lethargy, vomiting, hyperexcitability, pain at injection site and urinary incontinence were reported in 11 of 132 dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Lokivetmab at labelled dosages was a fast, safe and efficacious therapy for the control of pruritus in dogs with allergic dermatitis.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30141223/