title: Oral administration of famciclovir for treatment of spontaneous ocular, respiratory, or dermatologic disease attributed to feline herpesvirus type 1: 59 cases (2006-2013).
abstract: OBJECTIVE To evaluate outcomes for cats treated with orally administered famciclovir 3 times/d for clinical signs attributed to naturally occurring feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) infection and to assess variables related to owner satisfaction with the treatment. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 59 client-owned cats. PROCEDURES Medical records were reviewed to identify cats treated for presumed FHV-1 infection from 2006 through 2013 with ≥ 1 follow-up visit. Signalment, duration of clinical signs, prior treatment, examination findings, diagnostic test results, concurrent treatments, and outcome data were recorded. Owners were asked to complete a survey regarding patient- and treatment-related variables. Data were compared between cats that received low (approx 40 mg/kg [18 mg/lb]) and high (approx 90 mg/kg [41 mg/lb]) doses of famciclovir, PO, 3 times/d. RESULTS Patient age ranged from 0.03 to 16 years. Conjunctivitis (51/59 [86%]), keratitis (51 [86%]), blepharitis (19 [32%]), nasal discharge or sneezing (10 [17%]), and dermatitis (4 [7%]) were common findings. Clinical improvement was subjectively graded as marked in 30 (51%) cats, mild in 20 (34%), and nonapparent in 9 (15%). Median time to improvement was significantly shorter, and degree of improvement was significantly greater in the highdose group than in the low-dose group. Adverse effects potentially attributable to famciclovir administration were reported for 10 cats. On the basis of survey responses, most (29/32 [91%]) owners were satisfied with their cat's treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Famciclovir at the prescribed dosages was associated with improved clinical signs in cats with presumed FHV-1 infection, and few adverse effects were attributed to the treatment. Further studies are needed to assess whether a famciclovir dosage of 90 versus 40 mg/kg, PO, 3 times/d would result in increased efficacy and shorter treatment time.
authors.forename: Sara M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Thomasy
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Shull
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Outerbridge
authors.forename: Christine C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Kate S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Ann R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Strom
authors.forename: Philip H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Kass
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Maggs
mesh_terms: D015075:2-Aminopurine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002415:Cats; D003236:Conjunctivitis, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D000077595:Famciclovir; D005260:Female; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015075:2-Aminopurine; D000077595:Famciclovir