Use of maropitant for the control of pruritus in non-flea, non-food-induced feline hypersensitivity dermatitis: an open-label uncontrolled pilot study:

ObjectivesNon-flea, non-food-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis (NFNFIHD) is a common inflammatory and pruritic skin disease in cats. When avoidance and conventional systemic immunosuppressive treatments fail to control the clinical signs, there are limited treatment options. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of maropitant in feline NFNFIHD.MethodsIn an open-label uncontrolled study, cats with proven non-seasonal NFNFIHD were treated with maropitant 2 mg/kg PO q24h daily for 4 weeks. Clinical lesions were evaluated with the Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) system and pruritus was evaluated with a 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS) before and at the end of the study. Owners assessed global efficacy and tolerability with a 4-point scale at the end of the study. Adverse events and body weight changes were recorded.ResultsTwelve cats were treated with a mean initial maropitant dose of 2.22 mg/kg PO q24h. The treatment decreased both SCORFAD and pruritus VAS (pVAS)...