Background -Serological allergen testing (SAT) is used widely to formulate allergen-specific immunotherapy for atopic dogs. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E specific for cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD) can produce false-positive reactions, creating discrepancy between SAT and intradermal allergen test (IDAT) results.Objectives -The primary objective was to determine if inhibition of anti-CCD IgE in a commercial assay improved correlation with IDAT. The secondary objective was to assess the influence of dog-and clinic-specific factors, environmental factors, putative allergen exposure and prior medications on intradermal and SAT reactivity.Animals -Two-hundred and eleven client-owned dogs were enrolled from eight North American dermatology specialty practices.Methods and materials -Collection of serum samples and IDAT were performed on the same day. Sera were assayed for detection of IgE specific to 25 allergens, before and after treatment with a proprietary inhibitor of anti-CCD IgE. Data for each dog were collected via a questionnaire filled out by veterinary personnel.Results -The correlation between the testing modalities was fair before (Spearman's rho, q = 0.2092) and after (q = 0.3042) inhibition of anti-CCD IgE. Ciclosporin dose (P = 0.003), independent of duration of use, and duration of lokivetmab use (P = 0.001), independent of dose administered, were associated with statistically significant decreases in IgE concentrations across all allergen types.Conclusions and clinical relevance -Contrary to previous reports, this study demonstrated unchanged correlation between SAT and IDAT after inhibition of anti-CCD IgE. Ciclosporin dose and lokivetmab treatment duration may have unexplored effects on IgE concentration during SAT.

Practical relevance: Chronic otitis can be one of the most frustrating diseases to manage for a small animal practitioner. While it occurs less commonly in the cat than the dog, it is no less challenging. The purpose of this review is to discuss the common and uncommon causes of chronic otitis in the cat within the clinical framework used for diagnosis and treatment. The focus is on diseases that affect the ear canal, rather than those restricted to the pinnae. Clinical challenges: Otitis is multifactorial, which complicates management. A common clinical mistake is to focus solely on treating the infection present. Only by addressing all factors will a clinician successfully control chronic otitis. For the purposes of this review, the authors have adopted the established model of separating primary, predisposing and perpetuating causes of otitis. Primary factors are those that directly cause otitis (inflammation); predisposing factors are those that put the patient at risk for development of otitis; and perpetuating factors are those that result in ongoing clinical signs of otitis or that prevent clinical resolution. Audience: This review is aimed at veterinarians who treat cats and particularly those with an interest in feline dermatology and otology. Equipment: While many practitioners rely on a hand-held otoscope, a video-otoscope can be very helpful for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic otitis. Evidence base: This review presents up-to-date information regarding the diagnosis and treatment of chronic otitis in cats, with emphasis on the most recent peer-reviewed literature.

Background Feline Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (FEDESI) and Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) are scales used to assess lesion severity in cats with allergic dermatitis. Interobserver reliability has not been assessed for either. Hypothesis and objectives To determine interobserver reliability for FEDESI and SCORFAD, and the relationship between lesion scores and pruritus. Animals Thirty‐eight cats presenting for pruritus. Methods and materials Each cat’s lesions were scored by two observers at each visit using both FEDESI and SCORFAD (n = 117 paired observations). Spearman’s rho was calculated to assess correlation between scales and between each scale and the owner‐reported pruritus Visual Analog Scale (pVAS). Concordance correlation coefficients were calculated between observers for each scale, and Bland–Altman plots were used to visually represent the relationship between paired scores. Results FEDESI and SCORFAD were strongly positively correlated with one another (rho = 0.84, P < 0.001). Each scale showed fair correlation with pVAS (rho = 0.42, P < 0.001; rho = 0.38, P < 0.001, respectively). There was good concordance between observers for both scales, with a correlation coefficient of 0.77 for FEDESI and 0.80 for SCORFAD [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 95%, confidence interval (CI) 0.69–0.83; ICC 95%, CI 0.72–0.86, respectively]. Median lesion score was low (FEDESI 20; SCORFAD 4), which may improve interobserver reliability. Conclusions and clinical importance There is good interobserver reliability for both FEDESI and SCORFAD. FEDESI and SCORFAD are positively correlated with one another and with pVAS. These findings support use of both scales in clinical research and assessment.

In adults with asthma symptoms with or without rhinitis, sECP did not distinguish asthmatics from nonasthmatics. In asthmatics, sECP was associated with PEF variability and symptom severity. In subjects with asthma and rhinitis, as well as in subjects with only rhinitis, sECP levels are possibly influenced by nasal inflammation.