title: Comparison of once-daily versus twice-weekly terbinafine administration for the treatment of canine Malassezia dermatitis - a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Terbinafine, an allylamine antifungal, is used in pulsatile dose regimens for superficial mycoses in human medicine.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the clinical efficacy of twice-weekly versus once-daily terbinafine administration to determine whether preliminary proof-of-concept evidence exists for pulsatile administration of terbinafine in the treatment of canine Malassezia dermatitis and to determine whether twice-weekly treatment results in fewer clinical and owner-perceived adverse events.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty client-owned dogs with Malassezia dermatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized, single-blinded clinical trial, dogs were randomly assigned to receive terbinafine (30 mg/kg) either once daily for 21 days (n = 10) or once daily on two consecutive days per week for six doses (n = 10). On day 0 and day 21, a mean yeast count was calculated from eight anatomical locations via adhesive tape-strip cytology, clinical lesion scores were assigned to the same locations, and owners assessed pruritus using a visual analog scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between treatment groups with respect to the reduction in mean yeast count (P = 0.343) and clinical lesion scores (P = 0.887). Pruritus measured by visual analog scale was significantly decreased in the twice-weekly treatment group compared with the daily treatment group (P = 0.047). Seven of 20 dogs had a clinically measurable or owner-reported adverse event during treatment that included gastrointestinal disturbances, excessive panting and elevated hepatic enzymes, with no significant difference noted between treatment groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study indicates that twice-weekly terbinafine administration may be an effective alternative treatment for canine Malassezia dermatitis and merits further investigation.
authors: Dermatology for Animals, Gilbert, AZ, USA. darrenbergeraercci@gmail.com
authors: Darren J
authors: DJ
authors: Berger
authors: Thomas P
authors: TP
authors: Lewis
authors: Anthea E
authors: AE
authors: Schick
authors: Richard T
authors: RT
authors: Stone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D008290:Malassezia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000077291:Terbinafine
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009281:Naphthalenes; D000077291:Terbinafine