title: Comparison of a chlorhexidine and a benzoyl peroxide shampoo as sole treatment in canine superficial pyoderma.
abstract: The clinical and antibacterial efficacy of two shampoos used as a sole antibacterial treatment in dogs with superficial pyoderma were investigated and compared. In a randomised, partially blinded study, a 3 per cent chlorhexidine gluconate shampoo (Chlorhex 3; Leo Animal Health) was compared against a 2.5 per cent benzoyl peroxide shampoo (Paxcutol; Virbac) in 22 dogs with superficial pyoderma. Dogs were washed two to three times weekly with a 10-minute contact time over 21 days. Clinical scores and bacterial counts were assessed on days 1, 8 and 22 and compared within and between treatment groups; overall response was assessed at the end of the study. Twenty dogs completed the study; 15 (68.2 per cent) showed an overall clinical improvement and the clinical signs resolved in three chlorhexidine-treated dogs. In the chlorhexidine-treated group, scores for papules/pustules (P<0.001), investigator-assessed pruritus (P=0.003), total bacterial counts (P=0.003) and counts for coagulase-positive staphylococci (P=0.003) were reduced after three weeks. Scores and bacterial counts did not vary significantly in the benzoyl peroxide-treated group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, North Mymms, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK. aloeffler@rvc.ac.uk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loeffler
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cobb
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bond
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011711:Pyoderma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide