Assessment of Pruritus in Feline Dermatological Affections using Trichogram and Predesigned Scoring Systems - A Preliminary Study

Abstract

The study was undertaken to identify the common dermatological conditions of cats, to evaluate their clinical status and to study  pruritus using predesigned scoring system and trichogram. A total of 250 client owned cats were selected randomly irrespective of the  presence or absence of apparent pruritus or skin lesions. Of these, 129 (51.6%) cats were diagnosed as dermatological case. Out of 129  cases, 52 (40.31%) were positive for Lynxacarus radovskyi, 37 (28.68%) Otodectes cynotis, 15 (11.63%) Ctenocephalides felis, 8 (6.20%)  Felicola subrostratus, 4 (3.10%) Sarcoptes sp., 9 (6.98%) Malassezia sp., 3 (2.33%) pyoderma and 1 (0.77%) Demodex gatoi. Pruritus was the  most observable and earliest clinical sign in most of the dermatological conditions. In each of the 129 cases, pruritus was retrospectively  graded using a predesigned 5-point numerical scale and trichogram analysis. Out of 129 cats positive for various skin conditions, mostly  due to ectoparasites, 23 (17.83 %) cats had pruritus score zero. In 96.1% (124/129) cats with various condition, trichogram analysis of 100  hair tips in each case revealed moderate (50-70%) to large (>70%) proportions of blunt or frayed hair tips. Out of 23 cats with pruritus  score zero, 18 cats had moderate proportions (50-70%) of damaged hair tips on trichogram. The existence of feline population infested  with ectoparasites that showed subtle signs or no signs of pruritus may evade veterinary intervention through under-diagnosis and  further spread the vector borne diseases to other animals and humans.