Use of a modified SCORFAD scale to define localised reaction patterns associated with a flea burden in cats.

Abstract

Background: The SCORing Feline Allergic Dermatitis scale (SCORFAD) is a validated dermatological scale assessing reaction patterns associated with allergic dermatitis in cats. While no pathognomonic reaction pattern is recognised with flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), miliary dermatitis is more common.

Hypothesis/objective: This study aimed to document regional cutaneous reaction patterns of cats with fleas using a modified SCORFAD (mSCORFAD).

Animals: In total, 142 owned cats from West Central Florida enrolled over three study periods. To be included, each cat and household environment had five or more fleas on Day (D)0.

Materials and methods: Cats were examined on D0, D7, D14, D21, D28, D44, D56 and D80. On D0 they were treated with an isoxazoline and treatment continued through the study. Ten body regions were assessed using mSCORFAD to give a regional score for each of four reaction patterns. These were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test.

Results: At D80 there was an 80% reduction in total mSCORFAD representing clinical response to ectoparasite control only. The most commonly affected region was the ventral abdomen with a mean mSCORFAD score of 1.8 (95% confidence interval = 1.5-2.1) compared with other body regions (p < 0.01). The most common reaction patterns were self-induced alopecia on the ventral abdomen and miliary dermatitis in the cervical region (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions and clinical relevance: The mSCORFAD suggests that self-induced alopecia on the ventral abdomen and miliary dermatitis in the cervical region is more strongly associated with a flea burden in cats.