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Randomized comparative study of two products for the treatment of otitis externa in dogs

Otitis externa is one of the most prevalent diagnosis in canine practice. Small inflammatory changes in the fragile microclimate of the skin in the external ear allow abnormal proliferation of commensal bacteria (Staphylococcus pseudointermedius) and yeast (Malassezia pachydermis) or opportunistic invaders . The majority of cases of otitis externa can be treated successfully with topical medicationadministred into a clean, dry external ear canal. The efficacy and safety of Posatex (MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, NL - mometasome furoate, orbifloxacin and posaconazole) was compared with Aurizon (Vétoquinol, Lure, France - dexamethasone acetat, marbofloxacin and clotrimazole) in a non-blinded, controlled, randomized and blocked, multicentre clinical field study in dogs with otitis externa. Dogs (> 4 months old, n = 152) were enrolled based on clinical signs, cytology and culture. Affected ear canals were cleaned with saline, dried and then treated once daily for 7 days. Treatment success (excellent/good/moderate/poor) was assessed by both veterinarians and owners. Total clinical scores decreased from 7.5 (95% CI [7.1; 7.9]) and 7.7 [7.3; 8.1] on Day 0 in the Posatex (n = 76) and Aurizon (n = 76) groups, respectively to 2.5 [2.1; 3.0] and 2.7 [2.3; 3.2] on Day 7. Non-inferiority was confirmed using a confidence interval approach for clinical success. More dogs had normal scores for pain, redness, and swelling on Day 7 in the Posatex (67.1%, 32.9% and 61.8% respectively) than in the Aurizon (55.3%, 28.9% and 60.5% respectively) group. Both products were well tolerated. The overall accessment by the owner was significantly better for Posatex (38.2% excellent, 51.3% good, 9.2% moderate and 1.3% poor) than for Aurizon (25.0%, 47.4%, 25.0% and 2.6% respectively) (Mann-Whitney 0.61 [0.53; 0.69], Wilcoxon P = 0.0085). Overall treatment succes was significantly better for Posatex (P = 0.0083) than for Aurizon.

DATE » 19.07.2015

AUTHORS » L. Horspool, J. Hunte, K. Hellmann

PUBLISHED » Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Volume 38 supplement, p.11; Juli 2015; Special issue: Abstracts of the 13th International Congress of the European Association for Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology (EAVPT 2015), 19-22 Juli, Nantes, France.