Clinical efficacy of itraconazole and prednisolone combination therapy in the treatment of feline infectious peritonitis

Satoshi Kameshima, Yuya Kimura , Tomoyoshi Doki , Tomomi Takano , Chun-Ho Park , Naoyuki Itoh

• PMID: 32848107
• PMCID: PMC7653327
• DOI: 10.1292 / jvms.20-0049

Original article in National Library of Medicine, 27.8.2020

Abstract

A 3-month-old Scottish Fold cat with pleural fluid and a low albumin to globulin ratio (A / G ratio) was brought to our small animal hospital. Because feline coronavirus type I (FCoV) RNA was detected in pleural fluid, the cat was pre-diagnosed with an fusion form of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). After administration of itraconazole and prednisolone, the A / G ratio increased and the pleural fluid almost disappeared. Fecal FCoV levels have temporarily decreased. However, the cat began to show neurological symptoms, and we eventually had to proceed to euthanasia due to the persistent epileptic condition after 38 days of treatment. In conclusion, itraconazole has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of cats with FIP. However, further investigation of the possible role of itraconazole in the treatment of FIP is needed.

Keywords: feline infectious peritonitis; itraconazole; neurological manifestation; pleural fluid; feline coronavirus type I.

Note: On the Slovak or Czech market, itraconazole contains, for example, drugs called Conisor, Sporanox, Procanazole. They are usually used to treat fungal infections, e.g. nails.

You can get an idea of dosing in cats in A clinical study on the use of itraconazole in the treatment of FCoV.