CASE REPORT: LOW DOSE CYCLOSPORINE COMBINED KETOCONAZOLE CURES A DOG OF STERILE NODULAR PANNICULITIS

Abstract

An eight-year-old neutered male Cocker Spaniel with multiple subcutaneous masses on the right flank was presented to National Taiwan University Veterinary Hospital. The masses were excised and submitted for histopathologic evaluation and bacterial culture. A diagnosis of severe panniculitis was made and no microorganism was identified with bacterial culture. The patient did not respond well and showed significant side effects from prednisolone therapy. Later, low-dose cyclosporine was used instead and the lesions resolved. Complete remission was observed when ketoconazole was added in order to increase the blood concentration of cyclosporine in the patient. There were no adverse side effects noted during this combination therapy. The patient has remained free of the disease at the time this report was written. In conclusion, low-dose cyclosporine combined with ketoconazole therapy is safe and effective for treating sterile nodular panniculitis, when glucocorticoid does not provide an adequate clinical result.