Collaborative Care Improves Treatment Outcomes for Dogs with Chronic Otitis Externa: A Collaborative Care Coalition Study.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare outcome measures in dogs treated by a primary care veterinarian (pcDVM) before referral and after seeking collaboration with a board-certified veterinary dermatologist (BCVD) for cases of severe recurrent chronic otitis externa. Medical records of 65 client-owned dogs were retrospectively reviewed, and data were obtained regarding treatment history, referral timeframe, recurrence rate, clinical signs, and resolution of signs. The median number of otitis recurrences while under the care of the pcDVM was 4 (range 1-40) versus collaborative BCVD care of 2 (P < .01). There was a longer median time to otitis recurrence with collaborative care (171 days) compared with dogs managed by the pcDVM before referral (21 days; P > .01). Proliferative changes in the ear canals improved in 41/45 (91%) of cases under BCVD care compared with 6/45 (13%) under care by the pcDVM (P < .01). Dogs with chronic otitis had better long-term outcomes when collaboration with a BCVD was pursued within 6 mo of treatment. Referral or consultation with a BCVD should be considered for cases of chronic canine otitis that are persistent or quickly recurrent (20-30 days) over a 6 mo period.

Efficacy of tylosin tartrate on canine Staphylococcus intermedius isolates in vitro.

In the past 5 years, the incidence of canine skin infections caused by resistant strains of Staphylococcus (pseud)intermedius has increased. Many older antibiotics are used to treat these infections because the sensitivity can be demonstrated in vitro. Additionally, many of these older drugs are efficacious and unlikely to induce multidrug resistance. More than a decade ago, the antibiotic tylosin tartrate was reported to be efficacious in vitro and in vivo against Staphylococcus intermedius. The purpose of this study was to determine whether S. (pseud)intermedius isolated from untreated pyoderma cases at veterinary referral centers across the United States are sensitive in vitro to this antibiotic. Minimum inhibitory concentrations for tylosin tartrate and other commonly used antibiotics were determined for 103 isolates. Most (82.61%) of the isolates not exposed to antibiotics in the 3 months before submission were sensitive to tylosin tartrate. These findings suggest that tylosin tartrate warrants further study as a first-line option for the treatment of dogs initially presenting with pyoderma.

Double-blinded Crossover Study with Marine Oil Supplementation Containing High-dose icosapentaenoic Acid for the Treatment of Canine Pruritic Skin Disease.

Abstract- The objective of this double-blinded crossover study was to examine the effects of marine oil supplementation with high-dose eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on canine pruritic skin disease. Sixteen dogs that completed this study had clinical signs related to idiopathic pruritus, confirmed atopy and/or flea allergy. Each dog was randomly placed on one omega-3 fatty acid capsule (MVP: Meridian Veterinary Products, St. Augustine, FL, U.S.A.) which contained 1 ml of marine oil (180mg EPA and 120mg DHA) or one capsule containing 1 ml of corn oil (570 mg linoleic acid and 50 mg gamma linolenic acid) per 4.55 kg of body weight q 24 h for 6 weeks. After a 3-week washout period in which no supplement was given, each subject was crossed over to the other supplement for an additional 6 weeks. Dogs receiving marine oil showed a significant improvement in pruritus (P < 0.001), self-trauma (P <0.05) and coat character (P<0.01) over time. When compared to the corn oil control over time, marine oil supplementation significantly improved pruritus (P < 0.02), alopecia (P < 0.05) and coat character (P < 0.001). This study demonstrates the effectiveness of high doses of marine oil as an alternative anti-inflammatory for canine pruritic skin disease. Zusammenfassung- Ziel dieser Doppelblindkreuzstudie war die Untersuchung von Wirkungen der Substitution mit marinem Öl mit hohem Gehalt an Eicosapentensäure (EPA) auf juckende Hautkrankheiten beim hund. Sechzehn Hunde, die die Studie vollständig durchliefen, litten unter klinischen Symptomen, die mit idiopathischem Pruritus, nachgewiesener Atopie und/oder Flohallergie verbunden waren. Jeder Hund erhielt nach dem Zufallsprinzip eine omega-3-Fettsäurekapsel (MVP: Meridian Veterinary Product; St. Augustine, FL, U.S.A.), die 1 ml von marinem Öl enthielt (180 mg EPA und 120 mg DHA) oder eine Kapsel, die 1 ml Pflanzenöl enthielt (570 mg Linolensäure und 50 mg gamma-Linolensäure) bei einer Dosierung von 1 Kapsel pro 4,55 kg Körpergewicht alle 24 Stunden über 6 Wochen. Nach einer dreiwöchigen Ausschwemmphase, in der keine Substitution verabreicht wurde, wurde jedes Tier für weitere 6 Wochen auf die andere Supplementation gesetzt. Hunde, die marines Öl erhielten, zeigten eine signifikante Besserung des Juckreizes (P < 0,001), der Selbsttraumatisierung (P <0,05) und der Fellbeschaffenheit (P < 0,01) während des Unter-suchungszeitraumes. Im Verglich zur Pflanzenölkontrolle über den Zeitraum besserte die Substitution mit marinem Öl signifikant den Juckreiz (P < 0,02), die Alopezie (P < 0,05) und die Fellbeschaffenheit (P < 0,001). Diese Studie zeigt die Wirksamkeit von hohen Dosen von marinem Öl als alternativen Entzündungshemmer bei juckenden Hauterkrankungen des Hundes. [Double-blinded crossover study with marine oil supplementation containing high-dose eicosapentaenoic acid for the treatment of canine pruritic skin disease (Doppelblindkreuzstudie über die Substitution mit marinem Öl mit hohem Gehalt an Eicosapentensäure für die Behandlung von juckenden Hauterkrankungen bei Hunden.) Resumen- El objetivo de este estudio reciproco tipo doble-ciego era examinar los efectos del suplemento de aceite marino con dosis alta de ácido eucosapentanoico (EPA) en al enfermedad canina pruritica de la piel. Dieciséis perros fue completaron este estudio presentaban signos clinicos asociados con prurito idiopático, atopia confirmada y/o alergia a pulgas. Cada perro fue puesto al azar en una cápsula de ácido graso omega-3 (MVP: Meridian Veterinary Product; St. Augustine, FL, U.S.A.) fue contenia 1 ml de aceite marino (180mg EPA y 120 mg DMA) o una cápsula que contenia 1 ml de aceite de maiz (570 mg ácido linoleico y 50 mg ácido gamma linolénico) por 4,55 kg de peso corporal, 24 horas durante 6 semanas. Después de un periodo de 3 semanas durante el cual no se dió ningún suplemento, cada sujeto fue cambiado al otro suplemento por un periodo adicional de 6 semanas. Los perros que recibieron aceite marino mostraron una mejora significante en el prurito (P < 0,001), auto-trauma (P < 0,005) y carácter de la capa (P < 0,01) a lo largo del tiempo. Cuando se comparó al control del aceite de maiz a lo largo del tiempo, el suplemento de aceite marino mejoró significantemente el prurito (P < 0,02), alopecia (P < 0,005) y carácter de la capa (P < 0,001). Este estudio demuestra la efectividad de dosis altas de aceite marino como una alternativa antiinflamatoria para la enfermedad canina pruritca de la piel. [Double-blinded crossover study with marine oil supplementation containing high-dose eicosapentaenoic acid for the treatment of canine pruritic skin disease. (Estudio reciproco tipo doble-ciego con suplemento de aceite marino que contiene una dosis alta de ácido eucosapentanoico para el tratamiento de la enfermedad canina pruritica de la piel.).