Efficacy of a Silver-Based Shampoo for Treatment of Canine Malassezia: A Pilot Study.

Malassezia pachydermatis is a commensal of canines associated with Malassezia dermatitis. Consensus guidelines recommend topical and/or systemic treatment, but resistance to antifungals has been reported. The objective of this pilot study was to determine the efficacy of a 0.003% colloidal silver nanoparticle-based shampoo in the treatment of canine Malassezia dermatitis. Dogs were included based on compatible history, presentation, and at least one positive cytology. Fourteen privately owned dogs were bathed every 48 hr for up to 28 days, allowing 5-10 min of contact time. The mean Malassezia organisms for 10 oil immersion fields at each Malassezia dermatitis-affected body area was recorded at days 0 and 14. Dogs positive on day 14 had cytologies performed on day 28. Eleven dogs (78.6%) were cytologically negative by day 28. Nine (81.8%) of these were negative by day 14. One dog (7.14%) had partial resolution (negative in 3/4 Malassezia dermatitis areas) by day 28. These results suggest that silver nanoparticle-based shampoo may be effective in the treatment of canine Malassezia dermatitis. Larger, controlled studies are needed to further investigate efficacy, optimal concentration, and ideal application frequency.

The effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on snake-bite-associated wounds in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on Crotalinae envenomation-induced wound swelling and severity and pain in dogs, and to describe the safety and complications of HBOT. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled, blinded study (2017-2021). SETTING: University teaching hospital, private veterinary practice. ANIMALS: Thirty-six client-owned dogs presenting within 24 hours of a confirmed or suspected naturally occurring Crotalinae snake bite injury were enrolled between 2017 and 2021. INTERVENTIONS: In addition to the standard of care treatment, dogs received 2 interventions with either HBOT (n = 19) or control (n = 16) within 24 hours of hospital admission. Dogs receiving HBOT were pressurized over 15 minutes (1 psi/min), maintained at a target pressure of 2 atmosphere absolute (ATA) for 30 minutes, and decompressed over 15 minutes. Control dogs received 1 ATA for 1 hour. Local wound swelling, wound severity score, and pain score were assessed at admission, before and after each intervention, and at hospital discharge. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There was no significant difference in wound swelling (P = 0.414), severity score (P = 1.000), or pain score (P = 0.689) between HBOT and control groups. Pain decreased significantly over time regardless of the study intervention (P < 0.001). There were no major adverse effects associated with either study intervention. CONCLUSIONS: HBOT did not significantly alter the short-term recovery from Crotalinae envenomation in this study population. However, the study might be underpowered to detect a significant treatment effect.

Rush immunotherapy in two cats with atopic skin syndrome.

CASE SERIES SUMMARY: Two cats with feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS) were included in this case series. They were diagnosed with FASS by a combination of history, physical examination and exclusion of other pruritic diseases. They underwent rush immunotherapy (RIT) after determination of offending environmental allergens by either serum IgE or intradermal testing. Cats were premedicated with an antihistamine and hospitalized for the day to undergo the procedure and to ensure adequate observation. Allergen extracts were administered subcutaneously at increasing concentrations every 30 mins until the maintenance dose of 20,000 protein nitrogen units/ml was reached. Both cats successfully completed RIT without any adverse reactions and their clinical signs improved afterwards. RIT appears to be an alternative treatment option for cats with FASS. Larger studies are needed to more accurately assess the safety and long-term efficacy of RIT in the feline patient, as well as the incidence of adverse reactions and optimal premedication protocol. Further evaluation of the route of injections for RIT is also warranted. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: RIT has been reported to be a safe treatment option in canine atopic dermatitis. Its use in FASS is limited to a pilot study of four cats. The purpose of this series was to describe two additional cats that underwent RIT using a different premedication protocol.