Long-term tapering regimen use of oclacitinib for the control of pruritus in an atopic dog

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a genetically predisposed inflammatory skin disease with a global distribution, yet it is incurable. A key clinical sign of CAD is pruritus. Oclacitinib has proven effective in managing pruritus in atopic dogs. This case report details the long-term administration of oclacitinib every other day for controlling pruritus in an atopic dog. An 8-year-old atopic Bangkaew dog presented with pruritus, alopecia, and recurrent Malassezia pachydermatis infection. To control the pruritus, the dog received oclacitinib at a dose of 0.4 mg/kg orally every 24 hours for 30 weeks. The pruritus visual analog scale (PVAS) decreased from 8/10 to 4/10 by week 2, and the skin lesions improved by week 18. After 30 weeks, with improved skin lesions and a stable PVAS at 2/10, the dosing frequency of oclacitinib was reduced to every other day, supplemented with hydroxyzine on the days without oclacitinib. This adjustment maintained the PVAS and skin condition at levels comparable to before the tapering of oclacitinib. No clinical abnormalities were observed during the 12 months of treatment under the tapered regimen of oclacitinib at 0.4 mg/kg orally every other day. This is the first report of successful pruritus management in an atopic dog using a tapering regimen of oclacitinib.