Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Oclacitinib quickly clears thick skin plaques in two dogs
By High, Endya J et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2020·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Rapid response of hyperkeratotic erythema multiforme to oclacitinib in two dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old spayed Havanese and a 1-year-old Dachshund were both suffering from a skin condition called hyperkeratotic erythema multiforme, which caused thick, scaly patches on their skin. Traditional treatments had not worked well for them, but when they were given a medication called oclacitinib, both dogs showed rapid improvement. The Havanese was completely better in about 12 weeks, while the Dachshund recovered in just 7 weeks. This suggests that oclacitinib could be a fast and effective option for treating this skin issue in dogs.
People also search for: dog skin problems treatment · Havanese skin condition · Dachshund hyperkeratotic erythema multiforme · oclacitinib for dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hyperkeratotic erythema multiforme (HKEM) is a clinically distinct dermatosis and poorly characterized syndrome, comprised of hyperkeratotic plaques with variable symmetry and apoptosis similar to "classic" erosive canine EM. Hyperkeratotic EM has a protracted clinical course and, although treatments with glucocorticoids, azathioprine and/or ciclosporin have been tried, rates of remission are low. OBJECTIVES: To describe successful treatment of HKEM in two dogs using oclacitinib. ANIMALS: A 7-year-old, spayed Havanese dog (Case 1) and a 1-year-old, intact cryptorchid Dachshund dog (Case 2). METHODS: Case characterization and clinical diagnoses were based on lesion character, surgical biopsy, cytological evaluation, culture, direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and expected responses to treatments. RESULTS: Both cases exhibited multifocal, often symmetrical hyperkeratotic plaques with adherent scale. Histological findings revealed prominent epidermal hyperplasia, parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, lymphocytic dermatitis and transepidermal apoptosis with lymphocytic satellitosis. DIF revealed fine, patchy IgG, IgM and IgA basement membrane deposits (Case 2). Both dogs exhibited rapid improvement with oral oclacitinib (0.6-0.9 mg/kg twice daily) with a complete remission of clinical signs observed in 12 and seven weeks in cases 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Oclacitinib could be considered as a fast-acting and effective treatment option for HKEM in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32307815/