Table 7: Acute Flare and Long-term Management Therapies in Cats

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Drug Name	Acute Flare	Long-term Management	Advantage/Disadvantage
Corticosteroids	✓	✓	Rapid onset of action
Corticosteroids	✓	✓	Side effects common
Cyclosporine	X	✓	Does not interfere with intradermal allergy testing
Cyclosporine	X	✓	Slow onset of action (weeks) Side effects common (gastrointestinal, hypersalivation, lethargy, gingival hyperplasia) Requires periodic monitoring of hepatic enzymes and blood cell counts
Allergen-specific immunotherapy	X	✓	Safe to use in combination with other medications Only management strategy that induces change in the immune response Biologic compound
Allergen-specific immunotherapy	X	✓	Slow onset of action (months to 1 yr) Requires intradermal or serum allergy testing
EFAs	X	✓	May have steroid-sparing benefits
EFAs	X	✓	Slow onset of action (weeks to months)
Antihistamines	X	✓	Side effects uncommon
Antihistamines	X	✓	Questionable efficacy—may only be effective in mildly pruritic animals

EFAs, essential fatty acids.

Note: Oclacitinib is not labeled for use in cats. Lokivetmab is contraindicated in cats.

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Guidelines Contributors

Introduction

Figure 1: Diagnosing Allergic Skin Disease in the Canine Patient

Table 1: Antipruritic and Anti-inflammatory Medications for Dogs

Table 2: Acute Flare and Long-term Management Therapies in Dogs

Table 3: Oral Antihistamine Doses for Dogs

Figure 4: Assessing Diet Trial Results

Table 4: Antimicrobials for Skin Infections in Dogs

Table 5: Oral Antifungal Medication Doses for Dogs

Figure 5: Clinical Presentation of the Feline Patient

Figure 6: Diagnosing Allergic Skin Disease in the Feline Patient

Table 6: Antipruritic and Anti-inflammatory Medications for Cats

Table 7: Acute Flare and Long-term Management Therapies in Cats

Table 8: Oral Antihistamine Doses for Cats

Reformulated Topical Medications for Management of Allergic Otitis Externa

Figure 7: Flowchart of Technician Utilization for Allergic Skin Diseases

Figure 8: Client Communication Flow Chart for Treatment Plans

10 Key Messaging Points When Talking to Clients

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Developing the Guidelines

The 2023 AAHA Management of Allergic Skin Diseases in Dogs and Cats Guidelines are generously supported by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Merck Animal Health, and Zoetis.