Topical therapy in canine atopic dermatitis: new products
Abstract
Topical therapy in canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) can moisturise and soothe the skin; treat and prevent secondary bacterial and yeast infections; and remove debris, grease and allergens. Shampoos are commonly used but can be time-consuming. Non-rinsing wipes, foams and spot-on preparations facilitate topical application and improve compliance. The ideal topical product for CAD should be emollient, lipid-barrier sparing, microbiome balancing, easy to apply and well-tolerated, have some residual activity, and be safe for the dog and owner. Ophytrium is a novel Ophiopogon japonicus (Japanese mondo grass) derived product. It blocks inflammatory pathways, maintains epidermal morphology and barrier function, and reduces staphylococcal adherence and biofilm formation in human and canine epidermis models. It has been incorporated in shampoos and foams for dogs (Douxo S3®; Ceva Sante Animale, Libourne, France). Use of 3-week treatment cycles with one shampoo followed by a foam application every 2–3 days helps to ameliorate CAD (Douxo S3 Calm®) and superficial staphylococcal pyoderma (ophytrium/3% chlorhexidine; Douxo S3 Pyo®). Effective topical therapy used alone or alongside other modalities can improve the effectiveness and safety of treatment for CAD. Reducing the need for systemic antimicrobials is a vital part of antimicrobial stewardship.
Topical therapy has an important role in managing canine atopic dermatitis (CAD). Topical therapies can moisturise and soothe the skin, treat and prevent secondary bacterial and yeast infections, and remove adherent scale, grease, allergens and debris. They can be used as sole therapy or combined with other therapeutic strategies.
Most topical treatments are safe with minimal cutaneous or systemic toxicity or other effects. Their use can therefore offset the need for systemic treatments that are expensive and/or have greater potential for adverse effects. Shampoos are the most common topical treatment modality. However, while most dogs accept bathing, this can be time-consuming and requires adequate facilities. This can be off-putting to owners, which can limit the frequency and effectiveness of treatment.
Non-rinsing wipes, foams and spot-on preparations have therefore been developed to facilitate topical application and improve compliance.
This review looks at the topical therapy options for CAD. It focuses on the general principles of topical therapy, using some specific agents to illustrate the scientific evidence for safety and efficacy. It is beyond the scope of this article to discuss topical pharmacological preparations, which are reviewed elsewhere (Olivry et al, 2010; 2015; Mueller et al, 2012).
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