Skin Therapy Flashcards
What are the four ways allergic skin disease is managed?
Avoidance
Medication to control pruritis and erythema
Immunomodulation
Control of secondary flare factors
What is important to always rule out?
Adverse food reaction
What are the issues with avoidance?
Is it possible to avoid fleas - need strict control regimen
Environmental allergens hard to avoid
Can use shampoos to remove allergens from skin but lacking in evidence and poor compliance
What are the options for medical treatment of pruritis?
Glucocorticoids, Ciclosporin, Tacrolimus ointment
Antihistamines, EFAs, Herbal medicine
Combination of the above
What are the advantages of glucocorticoids as an anti-pruritic medication?
Effective
Readily available
Frequently used
Cheap
What are the immediate adverse effects of glucocorticoid therapy?
PD/PU, polyphagia, restlessness
What are the long-term adverse effects of glucocorticoid therapy?
Hyperadrenocorticism, weight gain, connective tissue…
What can topical glucocorticoids be used to treat?
Hot spots and ears
What is the dosing for oral glucocorticoid therapy?
Prednisolone at 0.5-1mg/kg/day in dogs, 1-2mg/kg/day in cats
What is the aim for long-term control with glucocorticoid therapy?
Lowest necessary dose given on alternate days
What is the mechanism of action of ciclosporin?
Cacineurin inhibitor with more specific T-cell suppression than glucocorticoids
What is a disadvantage of ciclosporin over glucocorticoids?
Slow onset of effect at about 4 weeks so not for acute itch
Expensive
What are the adverse effects of ciclosporin?
Transient vomiting and diarrhoea
Gingival hyperplasia
Hirsutism
Lameness
What is the mechanism of action of oclacitinib?
Janus-kinase 1 inhibitor
What is the trade name for oclacitinib?
Apoquel
What is Apoquel licensed to treat?
Dogs over 12 months for the treatment of pruritis associated with allergic dermaitits and the clinical manifestations of atopic dermatits in dogs
What are the potential adverse effects of Apoquel?
4.6% diarrhoea, 3.9% vomiting, 2.6% anorexia, 2.6% new cutaneous/subcutaneous lumps, 2% lethargy
How are antihistamines used to treat pruritic skin disease?
Little evidence for efficacy but try different types for 10-14 days each
None licensed for use in animals
May be more effective in seasonal disease
Which essential fatty acids (EFAs) can be used to treat pruritic skin disease?
N3 (fish oils) and N6 (plant-derived oils) interact with the arachidonic acid cascade