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This information is provided by
Provet for educational purposes only.
You should seek the advice of your
veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the
diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.
The veterinary
literature contains references to skin lesions caused by drugs, but in
practice few clinicians seem to have seen a case. Veterinary
textbooks on dermatology describe a variety of toxic reactions to drugs
causing skin lesions that vary from mild erythema or urticaria to
necrolysis. In some cases systemic signs are seen as well. Penicillins,
cephalosporins and sulphonamide antibiotics are most frequently implicated but
that may simply reflect their wide usage in veterinary practice. The
initial diagnosis is usually based upon known exposure to the drug prior to
the onset of the signs and resolution of the signs when the drug is withdrawn.
Confirmation of the diagnosis can only be made if the animal is subsequently
provocatively challenged with the drug, but this could be risky if the initial
"reaction" was immune-based because the animal could develop a
life-threatening anaphylactic reaction following re-exposure. Drugs
Reported to Cause Skin Reactions in Cats and Dogs Any drug can
cause a reaction. Pruritus is a common finding irrespective of the
route of administration, and the following specific manifestations of skin
disease have also been reported* :
Drug |
Skin Reaction(s) Reported |
Antibiotics in general |
Angioedema, Urticaria, |
Amitraz |
Angioedema, Urticaria |
Ampicillin |
Pemphigus |
Antisera |
Angioedema, Urticaria |
Aurothioglucose |
Erythema multiforme, Fixed drug
eruption, |
Azathiaprine |
Alopecia, Secondary infection |
Bacterins |
Angioedema, Urticaria |
Barbiturates |
Angioedema, Urticaria |
Bleomycin |
Ulceration over pressure points. Loss of
claws. |
Blood transfusion |
Angioedema, Urticaria |
Cephalosporins |
Angioedema, Urticaria, Erythema multiforme |
Chlorambucil |
Alopecia, Secondary infection |
Chloramphenicol |
Erythema multiforme |
Cimetidine |
Pemphigus |
Cyclophosphamide |
Alopecia, Secondary infection |
Cyclosporine |
Hirsuitism, Lymphoplasmacytoid dermatosis,
Papillomatosis |
Diethylcarbamazine |
Erythema multiforme, Fixed drug eruption,
Pemphigus |
Diphenhydantoin |
Atrophy, Increased fragility |
Doxorubicin |
Alopecia, Flushing, Pruritus, Secondary
infection |
Etoposide |
Angioedema, Urticaria |
5-fluorocytosine |
Fixed drug eruption |
Gentamicin |
Angioedema, Urticaria, Erythema multiforme |
Glucocorticoids |
Post-injection atrophy, Alopecia, Secondary
infection |
Hydroxyurea |
Alopecia, Secondary infection |
Ivermectin |
Angioedema, Urticaria |
Ketoconazole |
Epitheliotrophic lymphoma |
Levamisole |
Alopecia (patchy), Angioedema, Erythema
multiforme, Exfoliative erythroderma, Pustules, Urticaria, |
Lincomycin |
Exfoliative erythroderma |
Mechlorethamine |
Alopecia, Secondary infection |
Penicillins |
Angioedema, Urticaria, Erythema Multiforme,
Vasculitis |
Primidone |
Lupus erythematosus |
Procainamide |
Pemphigus |
Progestagens |
Post-injection atrophy |
Propylthiouracil |
Angioedema, Urticaria |
Radiographic contrast media |
Angioedema, Urticaria |
Retinoids |
Mucocutaneous erythema and crusts |
Shampoos (insecticidal usually) |
Superficial suppurative necrolytic dermatitis
in Schnauzers (Miniature) |
Sulphonamides |
Alopecia (patchy), Angioedema, Urticaria,
Erythema multiforme, Exfoliative erythroderma, Pemphigus, Pustules,
Vasculitis |
Tetracycline |
Angioedema, Urticaria, Erythema multiforme |
Thiabendazole |
Pemphigus |
Thiacetarsamide |
Fixed drug eruption, |
L-Thyroxine |
Erythema multiforme |
Triamcinolone |
Bullous pemphgoid |
Vaccinations |
Angioedema, Lupus erythematosus,
Post-vaccination panniculitis (eg rabies), Sarcoma formation (eg
post-rabies vaccination in cats) Vasculitis (eg rabies), Urticaria |
*Table modified after Scott et al. Small Animal Dermatology 5th Edition
(available through Provet's On-line discount Bookshop CLICK HERE) Provet
Feedback Request In humans cutaneous drug reactions may occur in
as many as 3/1000 courses of drug therapy. Are we missing the diagnosis in our
veterinary patients ? If you have seen a confirmed case of drug eruption
please send Provet the details and we shall collate all reports. If we acquire
enough data we shall publish the findings later. Thank
YOU Updated January 2016
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