Abstract
A single centre, single-blinded, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of twice weekly fluorescent light energy therapy (Phovia™) as adjunct to systemic antibiotics in the management of deep pyoderma in dogs. Dogs with clinical lesions consistent with deep pyoderma, positive bacterial culture, and showing neutrophil engulfing bacteria at cytology were included in the study. Assessments were undertaken weekly for 8 weeks and every 2 weeks thereafter until 12 weeks after enrolment. At each visit, lesions were scored and cytology was conducted to determine a neutrophil engulfing bacteria score. All dogs (Groups A and B) were treated with systemic antibiotic twice daily, and Group B received additionally Phovia twice weekly. Median treatment duration was 11.7 weeks for Group A and 5.7 weeks for Group B. After 8 weeks of treatment, the percentage of dogs that achieved clinical resolution was 35.0% and 88.0% for Groups A and B, respectively. Lesion scores showed highly statistically significant difference in favour of Group B from week 3 to 8, and neutrophil engulfing bacteria scores showed statistical difference from week 2 onwards in favour of Group B. These results indicate that Phovia, when used as an adjunct to systemic antibiotics, can accelerate time to clinical resolution in cases of canine deep pyoderma.
Highlights
Bacterial skin infection or pyoderma is a common canine dermatological problem [1]
Canine deep pyoderma (CDP) is defined as infection that extends beyond the dermoepidermal junction into the dermis and panniculus and/or infection that progresses through follicular damage from a folliculitis to involve the deeper tissues [1,2,3]
In the group where antibiotics were used as the sole form of therapy (Group A), resolution was achieved in a mean time of 11.7 weeks whereas the group treated with antibiotics and Phovia (Group B) resolved in a mean time of 5.7 weeks
Summary
Bacterial skin infection or pyoderma is a common canine dermatological problem [1]. Pyoderma can be defined in a number of ways, and the most common of which is by depth of infection. is can be surface, superficial, or deep infection, of which each can be either localised or generalised. Canine deep pyoderma (CDP) is defined as infection that extends beyond the dermoepidermal junction into the dermis and panniculus and/or infection that progresses through follicular damage from a folliculitis to involve the deeper tissues [1,2,3]. Topical therapy can be used successfully as monotherapy in cases of surface and superficial pyoderma [8], it is more frequently used in combination with systemic antibiotic therapy in cases of deep infection [6]. Current recommendations suggest cases of CDP should be treated with systemic antibiotics at the upper end of their dose rate, for a minimum of 4–6 weeks together with topical antiseptic therapy [6]. Where follicular damage occurs as a sequel to infection, keratin and hair can be released into the dermis leading to a foreign body reaction and the persistence of clinical signs that may warrant anti-inflammatory therapy after the infection has resolved [10]
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