Evaluation of orally administered famciclovir in cats experimentally infected with feline herpesvirus type-1

Objective-To evaluate orally administered famciclovir for treatment of cats with experimentally induced disease attributable to feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) Animals-16 nonvaccinated specific-pathogen free cats Procedures-Cats were treated orally with famciclovir (90 mg/kg n = 10) or a similar volume of lactose (400 mg 6) 3 times/d for 21 days Cats were inoculated with FHV-1 and administered the first treatment dose on day 0 Disease score weight results of urinalysis serum biochemical analysis and CBC histologic conjunctivitis score herpetic DNA shedding goblet cell density anti FHV-1 antibody concentration and plasma penciclovi concentration were measured Results-On days 4 to 18 following inoculation disease scores were lower in famciclovir treated cats than in lactose treated cats Lactose-treated cats decreased in weight during the first 7 days after inoculation but famciclovir-treated cats increased in weight throughout the study Percentage change in weight was greater in famciclovir-treated cats on days 7 and 14 than in lactose-treated cats Serum globulin concentration was lower on days 3 through 9 conjunctivitis histologic score was lower on day 14 herpetic DNA was shed less frecuently throughout the study goblet cell density was greater on day 21 and circulating anti FHV-1 antibody concentration at study end was lower in famciclovir-treated cats compared with these measurements in lactose-treated cats Approximate peak plasma penciclovir concentration was 2 0 mu g/mL Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Famciclovir administration improved outcomes for systemic ophthalmic clinicopathologic virologic and histologic variables in cats experimentally infected with FHV-1 Adjunctive topical mucinomimetic and antimicrobial treat merits may also be necessary (Am J Vet Res 2011 72 85-95)