Oral Plus Topical Administration of Enrofloxacin-Hydrochloride-Dihydrate for the Treatment of Unresponsive Canine Pyoderma. A Clinical Trial

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This is the first report on the clinical use of a new derivative of enrofloxacin (enrofloxacin HCl-2H2O or enro-C) for the treatment of canine unresponsive deep-pyoderma (UDCP), utilizing a dual scheme, i.e., 10 mg/kg/day in capsules, plus the topical administration of enro-C, prepared as an 0.5% alginate gel, thrice per day. Fifty-five cases of UDCP were treated successfully in a one-year study. Mean days of treatment were 8 to 12, for either severe or very severe cases, respectively. Complete success was recorded and no recurrences after a two-month clinical follow up were registered. It is here proposed that the dual treatment, the potency of enro-C and the theoretically high concentrations of the active principle in the lesions may explain these findings. Further research is needed to define the bacteriological status of the pathogens found, and the impact of this treatment in bacterial resistance. ABSTRACT: An outpatient clinical trial on unresponsive deep-bacterial canine pyoderma (UDCP), without a control group, is presented. The chosen treatment was implemented with a new crystal-solvate of enrofloxacin (enrofloxacin HCl-2H(2)O or enro-C), in a dual scheme, i.e., 10 mg/kg/day PO, plus its topical administration, prepared as 0.5% in an alginate gel, thrice per day. Fifty-five cases that were unsuccessfully treated previously with another antibacterial drug, were selected and then classified as severe or very severe, according to a clinical score tailored for this trial. Aerobic bacteriological cultures of skin lesions and antibacterial sensitivity tests, were performed. Hematological status, liver, and kidney functions were determined before and after treatment. A complete success was obtained in 32 severe and 23 very severe, cases. The main bacterial isolates were: Staphylococcus intermedius (19/99), Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (16/99), Staphylococcus epidermidis (15/99), Staphylococcus pyogenes (14/99), Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Streptococcus sp., and others including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6/99). The average duration of treatment was 8.03 days ± 2.1 SD and 12.0 ± 2.4 days, for dogs with severe or very severe UDCP, respectively. The adverse effects caused by enro-C were inconsequential and the hematological tests showed no deviations from normality. The use of enro-C administered dually to treat UDCP, is considered safe and highly effective.