Oclacitinib to reduce itching in dogs with sarcoptic mange

Abstract

Sarcoptic mange is a parasitic disease causing severe pruritus, self-induced skin lesions and secondary infections. In many cases, an antipruritic treatment is useful to decrease clinical signs of the disease. Oclacitinib is a synthetic janus kinase-1 (JAK1) inhibitor, that selectively inhibits cytokines involved in inflammation and pruritus. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate efficacy of oclacitinib in alleviating pruritus and inflammation in dogs affected by scabies. Forty-four clinical records of dogs containing the words sarcoptes and oclacitinib were selected among dermatologic cases recorded within the last 5 years (2014-2019). Thirty-one of 44 cases with confirmed sarcoptic mange infestation were included. All dogs were treated at day (D)0 with systemic antiparasitic drugs (e.g. moxidectin, sarolaner, afoxolaner) in association with oclacitinib at 0.5 mg/kg by mouth every 12 hours for 14 days followed by oclacitinib administration every 24 hours for another 14 days. Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) was recorded at D0 and D30. Selected cases were 16 females and 15 males, median age was 4.5 years, majority were crossbred dogs. Mean VAS recorded at D0 was nine, and after onemonth decreased to three. Telephone follow up information, collected seven days after discharge, reported a significative decrease in pruritus within 24 hours. Our results suggest that the association of oclacitinib inhibition of JAK1 dependent cytokines (allergic and inflammatory associated IL2, IL4, IL6, IL13 and pruritogenic associated IL31) with conventional antiparasitic treatment, may be useful to provide quick relief from pruritus and decrease inflammation in dogs with sarcoptic mange.