title: A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study to evaluate an effective ciclosporin dose for the treatment of feline hypersensitivity dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypersensitivity dermatitides (HD) are frequently suspected in cats, but there are few clinical studies on safe and effective treatments in the published literature.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To establish a safe and effective dose of ciclosporin in the treatment of feline HD.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred client-owned cats with feline HD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Double-blind study, with cats randomly assigned to receive ciclosporin at either 7.0 mg/kg once daily (n = 33) or 2.5 mg/kg once daily (n = 32) or a placebo (n = 35) for 6 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean Total Lesion Scores with 7.0 mg/kg ciclosporin were significantly lower than with 2.5 mg/kg ciclosporin (P = 0.0047) or placebo (P = 0.0003) at study end. Individual Total Lesion Scores improved by >50% in 70% of the 7.0 mg/kg group, compared with 47% in the 2.5 mg/kg group and 23% in the placebo group (P = 0.0006). The investigators' Global Assessment of Improvement was 'excellent' or 'good' in 61% of cats treated with 7.0 mg/kg ciclosporin, compared with 47% of cats given 2.5 mg/kg and 23% given placebo. The improvement in Investigator Pruritus Scores was significantly greater in cats treated with 7.0 mg/kg ciclosporin (54%) compared with both 2.5 mg/kg ciclosporin (32%; P = 0.0232) and placebo (21%; P = 0.0063). Mild gastrointestinal disorders were the most common adverse events, but these did not require cessation of therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that 7.0 mg/kg ciclosporin once daily in food or per os for 6 weeks is effective and well tolerated in feline HD.
authors.affiliation: Novartis Animal Health, Schwarzwaldallee 214, Basel, Switzerland. stephen.king@novartis.com
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Favrot
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Messinger
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nuttall
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steffan
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Forster
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Seewald
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002415:Cats; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine