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.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Canine perianal fistula (CPF) is a severe, painful, debilitating skin condition affecting the perianal skin. It often interferes with the quality of life of both dog and owner. Conventional medical treatment involves the use of immunosuppressive therapy; however, the successful resolution of lesions can be limited by poor owner compliance, adverse drug effects and dependence on costly therapies. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to assess the potential benefits of fluorescent light energy (FLE) on cases of CPF. ANIMALS: Four dogs with active perianal fistulas METHODS AND MATERIALS: FLE was applied as sole management therapy once a week with two consecutive applications in the same session for each dog until clinical signs had significantly improved, with weekly assessments for a six week period. Dogs were assessed by measuring the size of lesions at the start of the study and then weekly for six weeks, using planimetry software. Owners recorded vocalization and straining frequency scores during their pet's defaecation, and perianal licking frequency on a 0-5 point scale to assess the response to therapy. RESULTS: All dogs improved with FLE, achieving a significant reduction in vocalization, straining and licking after two weeks (P = 0.002). After five weeks of FLE therapy, lesional areas had significantly decreased (P = 0.04). Only one dog required more than seven applications. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: FLE may be a promising alternative therapy for CPF.
Subject(s)
Dog Diseases , Rectal Fistula , Animals , Dogs , Fluorescence , Quality of Life , Rectal Fistula/urine , Rectal Fistula/veterinary , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Interdigital pyoderma is a common multifactorial, inflammatory disease of the canine interdigital skin. Lesions commonly become infected secondarily. In addition to management of the underlying cause, management of the chronic inflammatory changes in the interdigital skin created by secondary infection and by the release of keratin into deep tissues is required. Fluorescence biomodulation appears to modulate the inflammatory process in dermatological disorders and has shown promise in preliminary studies evaluating its use in superficial and deep pyoderma in dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of a fluorescence biomodulation (FB) system used in conjunction with systemic antibiotic on clinical manifestations of canine interdigital pyoderma (CIP), compared to dogs treated with antibiotic alone. ANIMALS: Thirty-six dogs diagnosed with CIP. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Dogs were randomly allocated to treatment groups of either antibiotic alone (Group A) or antibiotic plus twice-weekly FB application (Group B). Dogs were scored over a 12 week period on the basis of two measured parameters: a global lesion score composed of four different lesions types and neutrophil engulfing bacterial scores. RESULTS: A statistically significant decrease was seen by Week 3 in both measured parameters for Group B compared to Group A. The mean time-to-resolution of lesions was 4.3 weeks in Group B and 10.4 weeks in Group A. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The FB system shows promise as an adjunct therapy to systemic antibiotic use in the management of CIP.
