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

• Published in: Veterinary dermatology 2024-10, Vol.35 (5), p.508-515
• Main Authors: Sampeck, Bridgette, Sutherland, Cameron, Canfield, Michael S., Herrin, Brian H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdomen; Allergies; Alopecia; Animals; Baldness; Cat Diseases - parasitology; Cat Diseases - pathology; Cats; Dermatitis; Ectoparasites; feline; Female; flea allergy dermatitis; Flea Infestations - parasitology; Flea Infestations - veterinary; Male; Pets; SCORFAD; Severity of Illness Index; Siphonaptera
• ISSN: 0959-4493; 1365-3164; 1365-3164
• DOI: 10.1111/vde.13275

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