Feline Idiopathic Facial Dermatitis

Chung TH, Ryu MH, Kim DY et al: Topical tacrolimus (FK506) for the treatment of feline idiopathic facial dermatitis, Aust Vet J 87:417, 2009.

A severe form of pruritic facial dermatitis has been identified in Persian cats. Affected cats have dermatitis around the eyes, nose, and chin with a black waxy discharge. It has proven very difficult to manage in most cats, and the underlying cause is unknown. Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive drug derived from a soil bacterium. In people, it has been used for treatment of dermatitis, especially eczema and vitiligo. Use of the drug in cats has not been well studied. This case report describes a 3-year-old neutered male Persian cat with chronic ulcerative facial dermatitis diagnosed in Seoul, South Korea. Initial treatment with antimicrobial drugs for secondary infections produced some improvement. The cat was then treated with 0.1% topical tacrolimus ointment. The authors state the patient has been managed effectively with this drug without adverse effects. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Fontaine J, Heimann M: Idiopathic facial dermatitis of the Persian cat: three cases controlled with cyclosporine, Veterinary Dermatology 15:64, 2004.
>> Abstract

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Chung TH, Ryu MH, Kim DY et al: Topical tacrolimus (FK506) for the treatment of feline idiopathic facial dermatitis, Aust Vet J 87:417, 2009.

A severe form of pruritic facial dermatitis has been identified in Persian cats. Affected cats have dermatitis around the eyes, nose, and chin with a black waxy discharge. It has proven very difficult to manage in most cats, and the underlying cause is unknown. Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive drug derived from a soil bacterium. In people, it has been used for treatment of dermatitis, especially eczema and vitiligo. Use of the drug in cats has not been well studied. This case report describes a 3-year-old neutered male Persian cat with chronic ulcerative facial dermatitis diagnosed in Seoul, South Korea. Initial treatment with antimicrobial drugs for secondary infections produced some improvement. The cat was then treated with 0.1% topical tacrolimus ointment. The authors state the patient has been managed effectively with this drug without adverse effects. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Fontaine J, Heimann M: Idiopathic facial dermatitis of the Persian cat: three cases controlled with cyclosporine, Veterinary Dermatology 15:64, 2004.
>> Abstract

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Suppression of Estrus in Cats

Gimenez F, Stornelli MC, Tittarelli CM et al: Suppression of estrus in cats with melatonin implants, Theriogenology 72:493, 2009.

Cat overpopulation is a large problem in much of the world. Surgical contraception has been the method of choice, but is not feasible in some countries because of economic limitations, and lack of organized programs. Control of reproduction is needed, but little work has been done in non-surgical feline contraception. Cats are long-day breeders; melatonin may signal the feline ovary, and exogenous melatonin may mimic shortening daylight. This study examined the usefulness and safety of heat, or estrus, suppression in cats with melatonin implants. Melatonin implants were given to nine queens, while five received a placebo, during the interestrus period. This was followed by a second implant during estrus. Vaginal cytology, behavior, and reproductive status were examined. The interestrus period was extended by two to four months in the queens receiving melatonin. Once suppression waned, and estrus occurred, pregnancy rates were not affected. The authors concluded that subcutaneous melatonin implants effectively, reversibly, and safely suppressed estrus in queens for 2 to 4 months. Additional studies are needed to suppress estrus in queens for the entire breeding season. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Munson L, Bauman J, Asa C et al: Efficacy of the GnRH analogue deslorelin for suppression of oestrous cycles in cats, J Reprod Fertil Suppl 57:269, 2001.
>> PubMed Abstract

Levy J, Miller L, Crawford P et al: GnRH immunocontraception of male cats, Theriogenology 62:1116, 2004.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Gimenez F, Stornelli MC, Tittarelli CM et al: Suppression of estrus in cats with melatonin implants, Theriogenology 72:493, 2009.

Cat overpopulation is a large problem in much of the world. Surgical contraception has been the method of choice, but is not feasible in some countries because of economic limitations, and lack of organized programs. Control of reproduction is needed, but little work has been done in non-surgical feline contraception. Cats are long-day breeders; melatonin may signal the feline ovary, and exogenous melatonin may mimic shortening daylight. This study examined the usefulness and safety of heat, or estrus, suppression in cats with melatonin implants. Melatonin implants were given to nine queens, while five received a placebo, during the interestrus period. This was followed by a second implant during estrus. Vaginal cytology, behavior, and reproductive status were examined. The interestrus period was extended by two to four months in the queens receiving melatonin. Once suppression waned, and estrus occurred, pregnancy rates were not affected. The authors concluded that subcutaneous melatonin implants effectively, reversibly, and safely suppressed estrus in queens for 2 to 4 months. Additional studies are needed to suppress estrus in queens for the entire breeding season. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Munson L, Bauman J, Asa C et al: Efficacy of the GnRH analogue deslorelin for suppression of oestrous cycles in cats, J Reprod Fertil Suppl 57:269, 2001.
>> PubMed Abstract

Levy J, Miller L, Crawford P et al: GnRH immunocontraception of male cats, Theriogenology 62:1116, 2004.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Probiotic Supplementation in Cats

Lappin MR, Veir JK, Satyaraj E et al: Pilot study to evaluate the effect of oral supplementation of Enterococcus faecium SF68 on cats with latent feline herpesvirus 1, J Feline Med Surg 11:650, 2009.

A very common infectious disease in cats is feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1). The virus is frequently associated with morbidity because of recurrent ocular and respiratory signs of disease. One dietary supplemental probiotic, Enterococcus faecium strain SF68, has immune enhancing properties. SF68 supplementation is considered safe for use in cats. Twelve cats with chronic FHV-1 infections were given either SF68 or a placebo. The cats were then monitored for clinical signs of disease, monitored for FHV-1 shedding, and evaluated for FHV-1 specific humoral and cell-mediated responses and fecal microbiome stability. The researchers found that clinical results varied amongs individual cats, although overall findings suggested that administration of the probiotic lessened morbidity associated with chronic FHV-1 infection in some cats. This was a pilot study and additional research is warranted to evaluate this protocol in a clinical setting. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Veir JK, Knorr R, Cavadini C et al: Effect of supplementation with Enterococcus faecium (SF68) on immune functions in cats, Vet Ther 8:229, 2007.
>> PubMed Abstract

Veir JK, Lappin MR, Dow SW: Evaluation of a novel immunotherapy for treatment of chronic rhinitis in cats, J Feline Med Surg 8:400, 2006.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Lappin MR, Veir JK, Satyaraj E et al: Pilot study to evaluate the effect of oral supplementation of Enterococcus faecium SF68 on cats with latent feline herpesvirus 1, J Feline Med Surg 11:650, 2009.

A very common infectious disease in cats is feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1). The virus is frequently associated with morbidity because of recurrent ocular and respiratory signs of disease. One dietary supplemental probiotic, Enterococcus faecium strain SF68, has immune enhancing properties. SF68 supplementation is considered safe for use in cats. Twelve cats with chronic FHV-1 infections were given either SF68 or a placebo. The cats were then monitored for clinical signs of disease, monitored for FHV-1 shedding, and evaluated for FHV-1 specific humoral and cell-mediated responses and fecal microbiome stability. The researchers found that clinical results varied amongs individual cats, although overall findings suggested that administration of the probiotic lessened morbidity associated with chronic FHV-1 infection in some cats. This was a pilot study and additional research is warranted to evaluate this protocol in a clinical setting. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Veir JK, Knorr R, Cavadini C et al: Effect of supplementation with Enterococcus faecium (SF68) on immune functions in cats, Vet Ther 8:229, 2007.
>> PubMed Abstract

Veir JK, Lappin MR, Dow SW: Evaluation of a novel immunotherapy for treatment of chronic rhinitis in cats, J Feline Med Surg 8:400, 2006.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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