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

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Tweet with us on Twitter

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Feline Entropion

Williams, D and J.-Y. Kim. Feline entropion: a case series of 50 affected animals (2003-2008). Veterinary Ophthalmology, 2009. 12(4):221-226.

Entropion is the inward rolling of all or part of an eyelid. The cornea and conjunctiva are irritated by hairs on the eyelid causing problems from mild discomfort and tearing to chronic pain and eye injury. Entropion is more common in dogs than cats, but may be under-recognized in cats. In this study from the U.K., 50 cats with entropion were examined. About 1/3 of the cats had a mean age of 4 years, while the remainder of the cats were relatively older, with a mean age of 11 years. Among the younger cats, entropion was likely to be caused by a pre-existing irritative disorder, such as conjunctivitis or corneal ulceration. In the group of older cats, lid laxity or enophthalmos were more likely causes. Persian cats represented 10% and Maine Coons represented 6% of the study group. Among these cats, involutional entropion was likely caused by anatomic problems. All cats were treated surgically with a Hotz-Celsus procedure, and the results were evaluated from 4 to 22 weeks later. Surgical treatment was curative in the majority of cases. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Read RA, Broun HC. Entropion correction in dogs and cats using a combination Hotz-Celsus and lateral eyelid wedge resection: results in 311 eyes. Vet Ophthalmol. 2007 Jan-Feb;10(1):6-11.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Williams, D and J.-Y. Kim. Feline entropion: a case series of 50 affected animals (2003-2008). Veterinary Ophthalmology, 2009. 12(4):221-226.

Entropion is the inward rolling of all or part of an eyelid. The cornea and conjunctiva are irritated by hairs on the eyelid causing problems from mild discomfort and tearing to chronic pain and eye injury. Entropion is more common in dogs than cats, but may be under-recognized in cats. In this study from the U.K., 50 cats with entropion were examined. About 1/3 of the cats had a mean age of 4 years, while the remainder of the cats were relatively older, with a mean age of 11 years. Among the younger cats, entropion was likely to be caused by a pre-existing irritative disorder, such as conjunctivitis or corneal ulceration. In the group of older cats, lid laxity or enophthalmos were more likely causes. Persian cats represented 10% and Maine Coons represented 6% of the study group. Among these cats, involutional entropion was likely caused by anatomic problems. All cats were treated surgically with a Hotz-Celsus procedure, and the results were evaluated from 4 to 22 weeks later. Surgical treatment was curative in the majority of cases. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Read RA, Broun HC. Entropion correction in dogs and cats using a combination Hotz-Celsus and lateral eyelid wedge resection: results in 311 eyes. Vet Ophthalmol. 2007 Jan-Feb;10(1):6-11.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook

Read More