A noninferiority clinical trial comparing fluconazole and ketoconazole in combination with cephalexin for the treatment of dogs with Malassezia dermatitis.
This double-blinded noninferiority clinical trial evaluated the use of oral fluconazole for the treatment of Malassezia dermatitis in dogs by comparing it with use of an accepted therapeutic agent, ketoconazole. Dogs presenting with Malassezia dermatitis were treated with either fluconazole or ketoconazole in addition to cephalexin for concurrent bacterial dermatitis. Statistically significant improvements in cytologic yeast count, clinical signs associated with Malassezia dermatitis, and pruritus were seen with both antifungal treatments. There was no statistical difference between the treatments with regard to the magnitude of reduction in these parameters. These results suggest that fluconazole is at least as effective as ketoconazole for the treatment of dogs with Malassezia dermatitis.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
L
L
Sickafoose
G
G
Hosgood
T
T
Snook
R
R
Westermeyer
S
S
Merchant
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002506:Cephalexin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008290:Malassezia
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D015725:Fluconazole; D002506:Cephalexin; D007654:Ketoconazole