Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Oral dexamethasone reduces itching and skin lesions in cats
By McClintock, Dayle et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2021·Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Oral dexamethasone sodium phosphate solution significantly reduces pruritus and clinical lesions in feline hypersensitivity dermatitis: an open-label study.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats with hypersensitivity dermatitis (a skin allergy causing itching and lesions) were treated with an oral medication called dexamethasone sodium phosphate. After about three weeks of treatment, the cats showed significant improvement in their itching and skin condition. The medication was well absorbed when given orally, making it an effective option for managing this type of skin problem in cats. Most cats felt more comfortable and had fewer visible symptoms after starting the treatment.
People also search for: cat itching treatment · feline hypersensitivity dermatitis medication · dexamethasone for cats
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are no liquid oral glucocorticoids labelled for management of pruritus and clinical lesions of feline hypersensitivity dermatitis (feline HD). HYPOTHESIS: First, to demonstrate that dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DexSP, DexajectSP, Henry Schein; Dublin, OH, USA; 4 mg/mL), an intravenous glucocorticoid, can be absorbed by healthy cats when administered orally. Second, to demonstrate the efficacy of orally administered DexSP for reducing pruritus and clinical lesions in patients with feline HD. ANIMALS: Seven healthy and 12 client-owned cats with HD. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Healthy cats were administered a single dose of 0.2 mg/kg DexSP p.o. and serum concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Feline HD patients were assessed with SCORing Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) and pruritus Visual Analog Scale (pVAS) at Visit 1 (V1) and after 20-31 days of receiving 0.2 mg/kg/day DexSP p.o. (V2). Complete blood cell counts, serum chemistry profile, and urinalysis were performed in 50% of feline HD patients at both visits. RESULTS: Healthy cats had detectable serum concentrations of DexSP following oral administration; concentrations ranged from 0.7 to 92.3 ng/mL. Feline HD patients showed significant decreases in SCORFAD and pVAS scores from V1 to V2. CONCLUSIONS: DexSP was absorbed when administered orally to healthy cats and 0.2 mg/kg/day DexSP is an efficacious dose to rapidly improve the pruritus and clinical lesions associated with feline HD.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34351657/