Chiara Noli

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a protocol involving the application of topical products (DOUXO® S3 SEB Shampoo and Mousse; Ceva Santé Animale) containing ophytrium for managing feline keratinisation disorders. Materials and Methods: Nineteen client‐owned cats with a history of keratinisation disorders exhibited greasy or dry seborrhoea. Cats were treated with either a shampoo or mousse on day 0 (D0) and subsequently with the mousse every 48 to 72 hours for 3 weeks. Clinical signs were evaluated on D0, D7 and D21 using a modified Skin Seborrheic Index, which measured the percentage of body area affected, scaling, coat greasiness and secondary dermatological signs. Both veterinarians and owners provided subjective evaluations of overall skin condition and product efficacy. Results: Of the 17 cats that completed the study, SSI scores improved significantly by D7 and D21, with reductions of ≥50% in 82.4% of cats. By D21, the affected body surface had decreased by 92.9%, scaling by 70.5% and greasiness by 68.3%. Veterinarians rated the improvement as satisfactory, good or excellent in 100% of cases. The protocol was deemed effective and practical by 100% and 88.2% of owners, respectively, with 94.1% declaring an improved condition of their cats' skin and coat. Clinical Significance: The ophytrium‐containing mousse and shampoo protocol was well tolerated and effective in significantly reducing seborrhoea in cats with keratinisation disorders. High satisfaction levels were reported by both veterinarians and owners, highlighting the protocol's efficacy and practicality.

Background: Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) due to Leishmania infantum remains common, and veterinarians do not always follow scientifically sound approaches for diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Objectives: To provide consensus guidelines for diagnosis and evidence‐based guidelines for treatment and prevention of CanL. Methods and Material: Clinical consensus guidelines for the diagnosis were structured based on literature and authors' experience. Three electronic databases were searched for randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta‐analyses on treatment and prevention. Results, Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Diagnosis should be based on compatible clinical signs and/or clinicopathologic abnormalities, exclusion of differentials, demonstration of infection and increased concentration of anti‐ Leishmania IgG (quantitative serology). Euthanasia for public health purposes is not recommended and drugs with anti‐ Leishmania activity should be avoided in subclinically infected dogs. Recommended treatments include meglumine antimoniate‐allopurinol (first‐line treatment), miltefosine‐allopurinol (first‐line treatment) and aminosidine‐allopurinol (second‐line treatment); marbofloxacin may be considered in dogs with advanced chronic kidney disease. In endemic areas, recommended measures for prevention include deltamethrin 4% collar, flumethrin 4.5%‐imidacloprid 10% collar or permethrin 50%‐imidacloprid 10% spot‐on, not using infected blood products for transfusion, not breeding seropositive bitches or dogs with CanL, administration of domperidone (seronegative dogs) and dietary nucleotides‐active hexose correlated compound (subclinically infected, seropositive dogs). Vaccination with Li ESP with MDP may be considered, whereas protein Q vaccine is recommended in areas with very high rates of seroconversion. In non‐endemic areas, recommended measures include not using infected blood products for transfusion and removal of infected female dogs from reproduction.

Background: Besides pruritus and skin lesions, cats with feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS) may have seborrhoea.Hypothesis/Objectives: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether an adsorbent mousse containing tapioca starch, adelmidrol and a nonpharmacological antimicrobial complex could decrease FASS‐associated seborrhoea in cats.Animals: Seven client‐owned cats with FASS were included based on the presence of seborrhoea and pruritus (>4 cm on the validated feline pruritus Visual Analog Scale [VAScat]), regardless of the concomitant administration of antiallergic drugs, provided that they were used for ≥1 month before study entry and maintained unchanged.Materials and Methods: Cats were evaluated weekly by owners and every other week by veterinary surgeons for 2 (optionally 4) weeks using a four‐item skin seborrhoeic index (SSI). The VAScat and the scoring feline allergic dermatitis (SCORFAD) index also were used to assess pruritus and skin lesion severity, respectively. The Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used for pre‐ versus post‐treatment comparisons.Results: At the end of Week 2, the mean score value for SSI was significantly decreased (p = 0.016). At the same time point, the mean severity of pruritus and the mean SCORFAD index value had also decreased (p = 0.016). Moreover, 86% of the investigators were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the tested mousse. Four cats continued the study up to Week 4 and showed a further, albeit nonsignificant, decrease in all evaluated scores.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: These preliminary findings have promising implications for clinical practice in cats with FASS‐associated seborrhoea and are worth further investigation.

The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of a gentle shampoo and a mousse containing Adelmidrol, tapioca starch and a non-prescription antimicrobial complex on seborrhoea and other clinical signs secondary to canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). Forty-six dogs with cAD-associated seborrhoea and/or pruritus > 4 cm on the pruritus visual analogue scale (P-VAS) and/or bacterial/Malassezia overgrowth were enrolled. The mousse was applied twice daily, and dogs were evaluated at days (D)0, 7, 14 and optionally 28, by means of a skin seborrheic index (SSI), P-VAS, cAD lesion index (CADLI), and a semiquantitative cytological score. The mean SSI value improved during the first two weeks (4.1 ± 0.37 to 1.9 ± 0.30; p < 0.0001). The mean P-VAS score (cm) decreased from 6.6 ± 0.19 at D0 to 3.8 ± 0.31 at D14 (p < 0.0001). The mean CADLI score dropped from 13.7 ± 1.24 to 8.5 ± 1.14 at D14 (p < 0.001). The cytological score for bacteria and Malassezia decreased from 3.2 ± 0.10 and 3.2 ± 0.11, respectively, to 1.2 ± 0.19 and 1.2 ± 0.24 (p < 0.0001). All the investigated signs further improved at D28. Altogether, these observations suggest that the tested protocol might be useful in managing cAD-associated signs.

Background: Animal and owner quality‐of‐life (QoL) is pivotal in treatment decisions. Accurate measurement of owner‐reported QoL and treatment satisfaction (TS) supports disease burden and treatment benefit evaluation.Objectives: Develop and evaluate an owner‐completed canine dermatitis QoL and TS questionnaire (CDQoL‐TSQ) in allergic dogs.Materials and Methods: The CDQoL‐TSQ was drafted following review of existing measures and expert input. Content validity was assessed through interviews with owners of allergic dogs. Psychometric properties of the QoL domains (Canine QoL, Owner QoL) were evaluated. Score interpretation was derived.Results: Twenty dog owners were interviewed. Item wording was amended following the first 10 interviews. Data from 211 owners were used in the psychometric evaluation. The Canine QoL domain demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = 0.89), test–retest reliability (ICC_2,1 = 0.844), moderate convergent validity (r = 0.41) and moderate‐high known‐groups validity (effect size 0.37–0.64). The Owner QoL domain demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = 0.73), high convergent validity (r = 0.63) and moderate‐high known‐groups validity (0.43–0.63). Test–retest reliability approached moderate strength (ICC_2,1 = 0.490). Group‐level interpretation analysis showed minimal important difference of 7.0–13.6 points for dogs and 13.0–13.6 for owners. For individual dogs a change of 6.3 or 12.5 points for dogs, and 12.5 or 18.8 for owners indicates a response.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: The CDQOL‐TSQ is a two‐part assessment to evaluate QoL and TS in canine allergic dermatitis. The QoL questionnaire demonstrated validity and reliability, and interpretation of scores was derived, making it suitable for use in research and practice. The TS module is suitable for clinical setting use to improve owner–veterinarian communication.

Intestinal microbiota alterations were described in allergic individuals and may improve with diets. Farmina Ultra Hypo (FUH), a hydrolyzed fish/rice starch hypoallergenic diet, is able to improve clinical signs in allergic dogs. Study objectives were to determine microbiota differences in allergic dogs before and after feeding with FUH for eight weeks. Forty skin allergic dogs were evaluated clinically before and after the diet. Unresponsive dogs were classified as canine atopic dermatitis (CAD); responsive dogs relapsing after challenge with previous foods were classified as being food reactive (AFR), and those not relapsing as doubtful (D). Sequencing of feces collected pre- and post-diet was performed, with comparisons between and within groups, pre- and post-diet, and correlations to possible altered metabolic pathways were sought. Microbiota in all dogs was dominated by Bacteroidota, Fusobacteriota, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, albeit with large interindividual variations and with some prevalence changes after the diet. In general, bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids were increased in all samples. CAD dogs showed pre-and post-diet microbiota patterns different from the other two groups. Bacteria taxa were enriched post-diet only in the AFR group. Changes in metabolic pathways were observed mainly in the CAD group. FUH may be able to improve intestinal microbiota and thus clinical signs of skin allergy.

Background: Diagnosis of adverse food reaction (AFR) is based on an eight week elimination diet (ED) and is confirmed by relapse upon re‐challenge with the previously fed diet. Hydrolysed EDs are commonly used for this purpose.Objective: To evaluate the commercially available hydrolysed fish protein and rice starch ED Farmina UltraHypo (FUH) for the diagnosis of feline AFR.Animals: Thirty‐two nonseasonally pruritic cats.Methods and materials: Pruritus was assessed with a new dual Visual Analog Scale, lesions with the Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis scale and Quality of Life with a validated questionnaire on days 0 and 56. Short‐acting corticosteroids or oclacitinib were permitted during the first six weeks. Cats showing 50% pruritus and/or lesional improvement were separately challenged with their prior diet, fish and rice. Cats not responding to the study diet were fed another hydrolysed diet for two months.Results: Twenty‐five cats completed the ED: four dropped out due to vomiting and/or diarrhoea, one owing to low palatability and two were lost to follow‐up. In 17 cats, pruritus improved by >50% and these underwent dietary challenges. Of these, nine reacted to their prior diet and/or fish and/or rice and were diagnosed with AFR, while eight did not relapse (and a diagnosis of AFR was considered to be doubtful). Of the eight cats in which pruritus did not improve, four underwent a second ED with no improvement.Conclusion and clinical importance: FUH may be a useful ED for the diagnosis of feline AFR, even in cats reacting to fish or rice.

Background: Feline nonflea hypersensitivity dermatitis (NFHD) is a frequent cause of over‐grooming, scratching and skin lesions. Multimodal therapy often is necessary.Hypothesis/Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide (PEA‐um) in maintaining methylprednisolone‐induced remission in NFHD cats.Animals: Fifty‐seven NFHD cats with nonseasonal pruritus were enrolled originally, of which 25 completed all study requirements to be eligible for analysis.Methods and materials: Cats were randomly assigned to PEA‐um (15 mg/kg per os, once daily; n = 29) or placebo (n = 28) while receiving a 28 day tapering methylprednisolone course. Cats responding favourably to methylprednisolone were then administered only PEA‐um (n = 21) or placebo (n = 23) for another eight weeks, followed by a four week long treatment‐free period. Cats were maintained in the study until relapse or study end, whichever came first. Primary outcome was time to relapse. Secondary outcomes were pruritus Visual Analog Scale (pVAS), SCORing Feline Allergic Dermatitis scale (SCORFAD) and owner Global Assessment Score (GAS).Results: Mean relapse time was 40.5 days (±7.8 SE) in PEA‐um treated cats (n = 13) and 22.2 days (±3.7 SE) for placebo (n = 12; P = 0.04). On Day 28, the severity of pruritus was lower in the PEA‐um treated cats compared to placebo (P = 0.03). Mean worsening of pruritus at the final study day was lower in the PEA‐um group compared to placebo (P = 0.04), whereas SCORFAD was not different between groups. Mean owner GAS at the final study day was better in the PEA‐um than the placebo‐treated group (P = 0.05).Conclusion and clinical importance: Ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide could represent an effective and safe option to delay relapse in NFHD cats.