(02-04) Atopic Dermatits: Cats

Question 1

1. The pathogenesis of feline atopic dermatitis is not well understood.
2. Inappropriate response to innocuous environmental allergens will induce the production of what?
3. Clinical signs of atopic dermatitis in cats are what?
4. The most important rule outs are what?
5. Diagnosis is based on what?

Answer 1

2. IgE
3. quite variable.
4. food allergy, flea bite allergy, dermatophytosis, demodicosis, and self-inflicted alopecia
5. history, clinical signs and the exclusion of other pruritic dermatosis

Question 2

1. Is a positive skin test or serologic test required for diagnosis?
2. Treatment includes hyposensitization therapy, glucocorticoids, antihistamines and fatty acid
   supplements and/or cyclosporine.
3. Most cases are well controlled with periodic injections of methylprednisolone acetate.
   However, be careful with potential side effects, mainly what?
4. Do not administer injectable methylprednisolone acetate more often than what?
5. Monitor for side effects with a chemistry profile, urinalysis and urine culture at least once a
   year if the animal will be maintained on corticosteroid or cyclosporine therapy.

Answer 2

1. no (however, it will identify the allergens which the animal is allergic to for possible allergen-specific immunotherapy)
2. diabetes mellitus
3. every 8 to 12 weeks