title: Use of mycophenolate mofetil to treat immune-mediated skin disease in 14 dogs - a retrospective evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a lymphocytotoxic immunosuppressive agent used in human and companion animal medicine for the treatment of immune-mediated disease. Mycophenolate mofetil is reported to have reduced myelotoxicity and hepatotoxicity when compared to azathioprine.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  It was hypothesized that treatment with MMF as a secondary agent with glucocorticoids would be effective in treating immune-mediated skin disease. In addition, adverse effects associated with the drug are reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen dogs from a hospital population diagnosed with immune-mediated skin disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of medical records from 2010 to 2015 was used to identify dogs with immune-mediated skin disease that were treated with MMF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All dogs were treated with MMF (mean dose 14.7 mg/kg twice daily) in conjunction with glucocorticoids. Ten of 14 cases showed positive results, with complete remission in eight cases and partial remission in two cases. Mean time to remission was 5.7 weeks. Therapy was discontinued in one case (perianal fistula) due to lack of response. Adverse events were noted in six cases and included diarrhoea (n = 6), haematochezia (n = 2), vomiting (n = 3) and papilloma formation (n = 1). Therapy was discontinued in two cases with diarrhoea. Mycophenolate mofetil was discontinued in an additional case because of a diagnosis of neoplasia. All other adverse events were self-limiting or easily medically managed. No hepatotoxicity or bone marrow suppression was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports the use of MMF as a second-line immunotherapeutic in immune-mediated skin disease in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ackermann
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: May
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.
authors.forename: Linda A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Frank
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid