Successful Treatment with Dexamethasone of a Cat with Suspected Feline Atopic Skin Syndrome Not Responding to Prednisolone

Abstract

A 6-year-old client-owned indoor, female neutered Persian-exotic shorthair cat was presented for further investigation of severe itchy lesions on the head and neck to our polyclinic. The patient had previously been applied selamectin and a cleansing, soothing, and protecting shampoo, but did not respond positively to the treatment. After the exclusion of ectoparasite infestation, retroviral infection, neoplastic and psychogenic causes, and food allergy, a suspect diagnosis of FASS in the cat was made. Although skin lesions clearly improved, the intensity of pruritus did not reduce during the 4-week prednisolone therapy. Based on these results, the case was considered to be resistant to prednisolone. Treatment with dexamethasone provided a fast and complete recovery of clinical signs and the cat has been clinically healthy maintained for over 2-years. This study suggests that oral dexamethasone can be a good alternative for treating cats with suspected FASS that has not responded positively to prednisolone therapy.