Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Side effects in 50 cats treated with ciclosporin for allergic skin
By Heinrich, Nicole A et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2011·McKeever Dermatology Clinics, 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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: Adverse events in 50 cats with allergic dermatitis receiving ciclosporin.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 50 cats with allergic skin problems were treated with ciclosporin, an immunosuppressive medication, to help manage their symptoms. Unfortunately, about two-thirds of the cats experienced side effects, including vomiting or diarrhea, weight loss, and loss of appetite. Some cats developed more serious issues like liver problems or dental issues. While ciclosporin helped with their allergies, many cats had to deal with these unwanted effects, highlighting the need for careful monitoring during treatment.
People also search for: cat allergic dermatitis treatment · ciclosporin side effects in cats · why is my cat vomiting after medication
Abstract
Ciclosporin is an immunosuppressive drug that has been used to treat allergies and other immune-mediated diseases in cats, dogs and humans. Information about the adverse effects of ciclosporin in cats has been limited to smaller studies and case reports. Adverse effects in dogs are mainly gastrointestinal in nature, but humans can also experience hypertension and altered renal function. The aim of this retrospective case series study was to document the occurrence and clinical appearance of adverse events in cats receiving ciclosporin to treat allergic skin disease. The medical records of 50 cats with allergic dermatitis treated with oral ciclosporin (1.9-7.3 mg/kg/day) were reviewed. Adverse events occurred in 66% (33 cats). Adverse events likely to be associated with ciclosporin included the following: vomiting or diarrhoea within 1-8 weeks of receiving ciclosporin (24%), weight loss (16%), anorexia and subsequent hepatic lipidosis (2%) and gingival hyperplasia (2%). Other adverse events less likely to be associated with ciclosporin therapy included the following: weight gain (14%), dental tartar and gingivitis (10%), otitis (4%), chronic diarrhoea (4%), inflammatory bowel disease with indolent gastrointestinal lymphoma (2%), urinary tract infection (2%), cataract (2%), elevated liver enzymes (2%), hyperthyroidism and renal failure (2%) and transient inappropriate urination (2%). Some cats experienced multiple adverse events. Case-control studies are needed to prove cause and effect of ciclosporin with regard to these adverse events.
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/21545660/