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Abstract Zafirlukast and placebo were administered orally as individual agents to 20 dogs with
atopic dermatitis. The pruritus was effectively reduced by at least 50% in 2/18 (11%) dogs that com-
pleted the trial with zafirlukast. Two dogs vomited after administration of the active drug.
from 1 y to 9 y, and they weighed from 3.2 kg to 57.2 kg. 2 wk. A 2-week trial period has been recommended
The duration of clinical signs ranged from 1 y to 6 y. All previously to assess the efficacy of nonsteroidal med-
dogs were affected by nonlesional pruritus in one or ications in pruritic dogs (15). The owners were not aware
more of the following areas: face, feet, ears, axillae, ven- that a placebo was included in the trial. The dosage of
trum, paws, and lumbosacral area. Thirteen of the dogs zafirlukast was 5 mg, q12h, if the dog weighed less
had nonseasonal pruritus, and 5 dogs had nonseasonal than 11.4 kg (25 lb); 10 mg, q12h, if 11.422.3 kg
pruritus with seasonal exacerbations (4 in summer, 1 in (2549 lb); 20 mg, q12h, if 22.734.1 kg (5075 lb); and
winter). Only 2 dogs had seasonal (spring through fall) 30 mg, q12h, if greater than 34.1 kg (75 lb). It was to be
pruritus. All dogs except for 1 with seasonal pruritus had given on an empty stomach, 1 h before, or 2 h after,
completed one or more restrictive dietary trials for at least meals. The placebo dosage was 0.5 g/dog, q12h.
4 wk (range 4 to 8 wk). Twelve dogs had been fed a com- After the 2 wk trial with each product, owners were
mercial novel protein diet, 5 dogs had been fed a home- asked to evaluate the reduction in pruritus as either
cooked diet, and 3 dogs had been through trials with both poor (0% to 25% reduction), fair (26% to 50%), good
commercial and home-cooked diets. Pruritus did not (51% to 75%), or excellent (76% to 100%). If there
decrease in any of the dogs during the dietary trials. was a fair, good, or excellent response to either product,
Nineteen dogs received from 1 to 6 different antihista- the owners were asked to readminister that product for
mines, but they provided inadequate control of the pru- an additional 30-day period to document a repeatable and
ritus. Fourteen dogs received fatty acids, delivered sustainable response.
either in the commercial diet or via supplements, with no
response, and all dogs were known to respond to anti-
inflammatory doses of glucocorticoids. All dogs had mul- Results
tiple positive reactions with intradermal skin testing A total of 18 dogs completed the study. Two dogs
(3 dogs), serological allergy testing (6 dogs), or both (cases 5 and 6) had a repeatable response and sustained
(12 dogs). Any dog with concurrent bacterial pyoderma, control of the pruritus during the 30-day extended
Malassezia dermatitis, or ectoparasites was treated period of treatment with zafirlukast. They were cate-
appropriately prior to the beginning of the clinical trial. gorized by the owner as a fair (50% decrease) and a
All dogs had moderate to severe pruritus. Seventeen good (75% decrease) reduction in pruritus. Both dogs
of the dogs were not receiving any steroidal or non- had nonseasonal pruritus, and neither dog was receiving
steroidal antipruritic medications during the trial, and had other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or
not received these medications for at least 3 wk prior to glucocorticoids during the trial. In 1 of the dogs (case 6),
the trial. Three dogs were in severe discomfort and pruritus would increase prior to the next scheduled dose,
glucocorticoids could not be eliminated during the trial. and severe pruritus and self-excoriation occurred 1 d after
In these dogs, the steroid dose was reduced until sig- discontinuing the zafirlukast on 2 occasions. One dog
nificant pruritus returned prior to the clinical trial. (case 3) was thought to have a good response, and
The dogs were treated with zafirlukast (Accolate, another dog (case 2), a fair response to the initial
20 mg tablets; Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, 14-day trial period with zafirlukast, but they did not have
Wilmington, Delaware, USA) during the first 2 wk of the a repeatable or sustained response during the 30-day
trial, followed by a placebo (Placebo, 1 g tablets; B&L period. Another dog (case 1) was thought to have a
Sales, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA) for the second fair response to zafirlukast during the initial 14-day
Cowart RP, Casteel SW. An Outline of Swine Diseases: or charts. The differential diagnosis of swine diseases is
A Handbook, 2nd ed. Iowa State University Press, generally aided by knowing the age or production group
Ames, 2001, 205 pp, ISBN 0-8138-2898-8, US$34.95. affected, the pattern of spread, and other key points of
history or clinical signs. A chart showing how the var-