A randomized, controlled, single-blinded, multicenter evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a once weekly two dose otic gel containing florfenicol, terbinafine and betamethasone administered for the treatment of canine otitis externa.

BACKGROUND: Otitis externa is a common problem in small animal practice. Compliance with daily treatment is a major cause of treatment failure. The hypothesis tested is that a novel otic gel applied to the ear canal twice with a one-week interval is as efficacious as a daily otic suspension in the treatment of canine otitis externa. The study included 286 privately owned dogs with otitis externa. In this single blinded randomized study, enrolled dogs received either an otic gel containing 1% florfenicol, 1% terbinafine and 0.1% betamethasone acetate twice with a one-week interval or a suspension containing hydrocortisone aceponate, miconazole and gentamicin daily for 5 days. Ears were cleaned with saline prior to administration of the first dose of medication. Dogs were evaluated at day (D) 0, 7, 28 and 56 with an otitis index score (OTIS-3), otic culture and cytology, pain and pruritus, and overall response to treatment (owner and investigator evaluation). Outcome measures were improvement of the OTIS-3 and number of dogs in clinical remission at each time point. RESULTS: OTIS-3 decreased significantly (p < 0.0001) by 63 and 64% for the otic gel and by 63 and 61% for the suspension on D28 and D56 respectively. There was no significant difference between groups at any time point with regard to clinical success, pain, pruritus, overall assessments or otic cytology and culture. The treatment response was considered excellent or good by approximately three quarters of both the clinicians and Owners. Otitis recurrence at D56 was seen in 11% of both groups. Adverse events attributable to the ear medications were not noted. CONCLUSIONS: Administering an otic gel twice at a one-week interval is an effective, safe and convenient way to treat canine otitis externa.

A randomized placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of a terbinafine, florfenicol and betamethasone topical ear formulation in dogs for the treatment of bacterial and/or fungal otitis externa.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of infected otitis externa (OE) relies on the topical application of specific formulations that most often contain an antibiotic, an antifungal and a glucocorticoid. This study is to report the results of a randomized, placebo-controlled field trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of OSURNIA™ (Elanco Animal Health, a division of Eli Lilly and Company, Greenfield, IN), a novel topical ear medication containing florfenicol, terbinafine and betamethasone acetate in an adaptable gel. The study includes 284 dogs with bacterial and/or fungal OE who were randomly assigned to receive two doses of Osurnia or its vehicle, one week apart. Dogs were evaluated at various time points through Day 45, and a total clinical score (TCS) was calculated based on pain, erythema, exudate, swelling, odor and ulceration. The primary outcome measure was the rate of treatment success (RTS), defined as a TCS of 0, 1 or 2 on Day 45. Before and after treatment, a "clap test" was performed to subjectively assess hearing, and blood and urine were collected for routine clinical pathology. RESULTS: The RTS was significantly higher in ears treated with Osurnia (64.78%) than with placebo (43.42%). There was no significant interaction between efficacy and duration of history, recurrence of otitis or body weight. Adverse events were similar between groups. All dogs treated with Osurnia maintained their hearing, and there were no relevant clinical pathology changes. CONCLUSIONS: The application of two doses of Osurnia, one week apart, is effective and safe to treat microbial otitis externa in dogs.

Open air rock concert: an organised disaster.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the planning and implementation of health care provision at a mass gathering, and to describe the conditions treated at such an event. SETTING: When approximately 93,000 fans gathered outdoors in Sydney's Centennial Park, a natural reserve, for Australasia's largest ever outdoor rock concert, there was an obvious potential for medical disaster. PATIENTS: At most disasters or mass gatherings, accurate patient numbers and details are not available, but an organised patient data collection system allowed the case load at this event to be clearly defined. This showed that 450 patients were attended to by the first aid teams. Triage identified 36 of these as having conditions serious enough to require admission to the medical area. Seven of these patients were ultimately transferred to hospital. RESULTS: A brief practical outline is provided of the medical planning for the concert, detailing the staff and equipment, how to avoid potential problems, the use of voluntary organisations, and specific site organisation. Key points in the medical planning, organisation and practicalities, especially those which are vital to any disaster response, are highlighted. CONCLUSION: Solutions to recurrent problems experienced by medical personnel involved with mass gatherings or disasters are suggested. The lack of practice in implementing a multiple casualty or disaster plan may be remedied by organised responses to mass events.