Immunosuppressive Therapy For Cats

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  • The cat’s immune system plays a vital role in protecting the cat from pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungal infections. However, sometimes, it goes awry and attacks its own tissues or cells.

    Immunosuppressive therapy is a treatment to suppress the immune system to manage autoimmune disorders and inflammation. The cause of autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases in cats is poorly understood but is thought to be a combination of factors including genetic predisposition, environmental pollutants, vaccinations, infections, and cancer.

    The immune system is made up of the following:

    • Cells (NT cells, T Cells, B cells, macrophages, phagocytes, granulocytes, mast cells)
    • Immunoglobulins (antibodies)
    • Tissues (lymph nodes)
    • Organs (thymus, spleen, tonsils)

    An immunosuppressant is an agent that weakens the cat’s immune system. In the case of immunosuppressive therapy, this is the goal; however, sometimes, immunosuppression happens as a side effect of other treatments such as chemotherapy.

    Immune system disorders:

    Immunocompromised immune system:

    Impaired or weak immune system, which can be due to cancer treatment, certain infections (FIV and FeLV), age (kittens have very immature immune systems and senior cats ), and certain medications. A cat with a compromised immune system is more vulnerable to infection.

    Allergies:

    An immune response to a harmless substance such as food, parasites (fleas in particular) or pollen.

    Autoimmune disorders:

    The cat’s immune system incorrectly attacks tissues or cells within the cat’s body.

    What conditions does immunosuppressive therapy treat?

    Pemphigus

    Pemphigus complex is a group of rare bullous autoimmune diseases in cats, which are the result of an overactive immune response against the cat’s own tissues. An overproduction of autoantibodies attacks the epidermal bonding molecules causing them to separate, resulting in the formation of superficial vesicles and bullae (a blister that contains serous fluid) which rupture to form crusted erosions on the skin.

    Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia

    Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), is a disease in which the cat’s own immune system can become directed against its own red blood cells leading to life-threatening anemia. Red blood cells (also called erythrocytes) supply oxygen to the tissues of the body.

    IMHA can be classified as primary or secondary. Primary IMHA is caused by an inappropriate immune response, and no underlying cause can be found in autoimmune-mediated hemolytic anemia (AIHA).

    Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia

    Low platelets (thrombocytes) is a condition in which there is a reduced number of blood platelets that are responsible for helping the blood to clot. IMTP is a rare cause of thrombocytopenia in cats which results in the cat’s own immune system prematurely destroying platelets.

    Immune-mediated polyarthritis

    An immune-mediated disease in which the cat’s immune system attacks the joints causing inflammation and pain. It can be erosive (causing the bone to erode) or non-erosive.

    Systemic lupus erythematosus

    An inflammatory disease caused by the cat’s own immune system attacking the tissues when the body produces antibodies against itself (known as auto-antibodies), attacking various systems including the skin, joints, blood vessels, kidneys, heart, and lungs.

    Eosinophilic granuloma complex

    Eosinophilic granuloma complex (EGC) is a condition characterised by the presence of skin lesions over various parts of your cat’s body.

    An eosinophil is a type of white blood cell that participates in allergic reactions and helps to fight certain parasitic infections. A granuloma is an inflammatory lesion that contains granulocytes. These are a type of white blood cell made up of small cytotoxic granules, which are released (degranulation) in response to a microorganism or parasite.

    Eosinophil’s job is to attack parasites. Once at the target location, it will release its granules to destroy the parasite. Cats with eosinophilic granuloma complex suffer damage to local tissues due to biochemicals released by eosinophils that are triggered during an allergic response.

    Dry eye

    Medically known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), dry eye syndrome (DES) is a condition characterised by insufficient watery tears reaching the surface of the eye which leads to dryness of the cornea and the conjunctiva. As a result, they become irritated and inflamed due to the lack of lubrication and moisture.

    There are several causes of dry in cats, including immune-mediated inflammation and/or destruction of the tear glands, the cause of this is not known.

    Inflammatory bowel disease

    Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of disorders caused by the infiltration of inflammatory cells (white blood cells) in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. It can affect both the upper and lower intestinal tract.

    Feline asthma

    Also known as feline bronchial disease, allergic bronchitis, allergic airway disease, and allergic asthma), asthma is a noninfectious respiratory condition that is characterised by acute constriction of the lower airways, which results in coughing and respiratory distress. Asthma is one of the most common causes of respiratory diseases in cats, affecting around one in 100, attacks may range from mild to severe and life-threatening.

    Medications to suppress the immune system:

    There are many classes of drugs that veterinarians can use to treat immune-mediated disease and/or inflammation. They work by inhibiting or preventing activation of the immune system:

    Anti-inflammatory drugs:

    • Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)

    Immunosuppressants

    • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune and others)
    • Tacrolimus (Prograf)
    • Oclacitinib (Apoquel)
    • Azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan)
    • Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Cytoxan Lyophilized, Neosar and others)
    • Leflunomide (Arava)
    • Sirolimus (Rapamune)
    • Mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept)

    Glucocorticoids:

    • Prednisone (Panafcort, Deltasone, Solone and others)
    • Budesonide (Pulmicort)
    • Prednisolone (Panafcortelone, Solone and others)
    • Dexamethasone (Decadron)
    • Triamcinolone (Aristocort, Kenacort, Kenalog, Trilone and others)
    • Methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol, Solu-Medrol and others)

    Chemotherapy agents:

    • Chlorambucil (Leukeran)
    • Azathioprine, generally not recommended for use in cats (Imuran)
    • Vincristine (Oncovin, Vincasar PFS)
    • Methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Rheumatrex, Trexall)

    Antibiotics:

    The first-line therapy to treat immune-mediated or inflammatory disease in cats is glucocorticoids, or a combination of two drugs (glucocorticoids and cyclosporine) will be prescribed, initially at a high dose, then once the condition is under control, the dose will be gradually tapered to the smallest amount possible to keep symptoms at bay.

    Risks:

    All medicines can have side effects, and immunosuppressive drugs can affect cats in two ways. The direct impact of the medications on the cat as well as the risks associated with immunosuppression. Side effects can vary greatly between drugs.

    Any cat who is on immunosuppressive treatment will be regularly monitored by the veterinarian, which will include routine bloodwork to ensure normal parameters remain.

    Common side effects include:

    • Increased thirst and urination
    • Increased appetite

    Less common side effects:

    • Muscle wasting
    • Liver toxicity
    • Low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
    • Low red blood cell count (anemia)
    • Lethargy
    • Poor wound healing
    • Feline acne
    • Gastrointestinal ulcers
    • Gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea)
    • Thin skin
    • Bone marrow suppression
    • Cushing’s disease
    • Diabetes
    • Neoplasia
    • Drug interactions

    If side effects do occur, the veterinarian can alter the treatment plan by changing drugs, dose or interval.

    Author

    • Julia Wilson, 'Cat World' Founder

      Julia Wilson is the founder of Cat-World, and has researched and written over 1,000 articles about cats. She is a cat expert with over 20 years of experience writing about a wide range of cat topics, with a special interest in cat health, welfare and preventative care. Julia lives in Sydney with her family, four cats and two dogs. Full author bio