Establishment of diagnostic criteria for feline nonflea‐induced hypersensitivity dermatitis

Abstract

Hypersensitivity dermatitides (HD) are commonly seen in cats, and they are usually caused by environmental, food and/or flea allergens. Affected cats normally present with one of the following clinical reaction patterns: head and neck excoriations, usually symmetrical self-induced alopecia, eosinophilic skin lesions or miliary dermatitis. Importantly, none of these clinical presentations is considered to be pathognomonic for HD skin diseases, and the diagnosis of HD is usually based on the exclusion of other pruritic diseases and on a positive response to therapy. The objectives of this study were to propose sets of criteria for the diagnosis of nonflea-induced HD (NFHD). We recruited 501 cats with pruritus and skin lesions and compared clinical parameters between cats with NFHD (encompassing those with nonflea, nonfood HD and those with food HD), flea HD and other pruritic conditions. Using simulated annealing techniques, we established two sets of proposed criteria for the following two different clinical situations: (i) the diagnosis of NFHD in a population of pruritic cats; and (ii) the diagnosis of NFHD after exclusion of cats with flea HD. These criteria sets were associated with good sensitivity and specificity and may be useful for homogeneity of enrolment in clinical trials and to evaluate the probability of diagnosis of NFHD in clinical practice. Finally, these criteria were not useful to differentiate cats with NFHD from those with food HD.

Relationship between age at gonadectomy and health problems in kittens adopted from shelters

“…No significant differences in hypersensitivity skin disorders between PPG and TAG cats were observed. It should be noted that, although the incidence in the present study was low, it might still be overestimated since diagnoses were mostly suspected rather than based on exclusion of other pruritic viral, fungal, bacterial or parasitic diseases (Hobi and others 2011, Favrot and others 2012). Based on the current findings, it seems unlikely that age of gonadectomy is associated with feline hypersensitivity skin disorders.…”

Feline Atopic Dermatitis: A Retrospective Study of 194 Cases (1988^|^ndash;2003)

“…Neither intradermal nor serological testing procedures are used for the diagnosis of FAD, but only for identifying allergens that may be important in avoidance and ASIT protocols. It is absolutely critical to remember that the diagnosis of FAD is achieved by the recognition of compatible historical and clinical findings, and by ruling out all disorders that mimic FAD 7,15,26,38) .…”

“…2. The exclusion of other conditions that mimic the clinical aspects of AD 7,15,26) . This was accomplished by skin scrapings, flea combings, trichography, cytology, skin biopsy, novel diet trials, and response to therapy as appropriate to each case 26) .…”

“…These reaction patterns are reportedly seen in various combinations in any given cat. The diagnosis of FAD is based on compatible historical and clinical findings, and the ruling out of all conditions that can produce similar clinical reaction patterns 7,15,26) . Management of FAD includes allergen avoidance, allergen-specific immunotherapy, various anti-inflammatory medications, and combinations of these 3,26,38,42) .…”

Feline familial pedal eosinophilic dermatosis in two littermates

“…Finally, environmental causes of hypersensitivity can also induce FEGC. Also named atopic dermatitis or ‘non-flea non-food-induced hypersensitivity’, 8,9 this condition is diagnosed after exclusion of FAD and CAFR. As allergic tests are not validated in cats and often difficult to interpret they were not performed in these cases.…”