ringworm and hyperthyroid treatment studies

[malernee]

Use of Lufenuron for Treating Fungal Infection of Dogs and Cats: 297 Cases (1997-1999)
J Am Vet Med Assoc 217[10]:1510-1513 Nov 15'00 Retrospective Study 12 Refs

Yair Ben-Ziony, DVM & Boaz Arzi, BS
Ben Ziony's Animal Hospitals Ltd, PO Box 156, Kiryat Tivon 36081, Israel
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate use of lufenuron for treating cutaneous fungal infections in dogs and cats.

DESIGN: Retrospective study.

ANIMALS: 156 dogs and 201 cats with dermatophytosis or superficial dermatomycoses.

PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed for dogs and cats that had been treated for dermatophytosis or other fungal infections by administration of lufenuron and 18 dogs and 42 cats that were not treated and served as a control group.

RESULTS: Dogs were treated once by oral administration of lufenuron tablets at doses ranging from 54.2 to 68.3 mg/kg (24.6 to 31.0 mg/lb) of body weight. Samples of skin, scrapings, and hair were obtained daily from 14 dogs with dermatophytosis mean durations from time of treatment to time of negative fungal culture results and resolution of gross lesions were 14.5 and 20.75 days, respectively. In all treated dogs, gross lesions resolved within approximately 21 days. Cats were treated once by oral administration of lufenuron suspension in doses ranging from 51.2 to 266 mg/kg (23.3 to 120.9 mg/lb). Samples were obtained daily from 23 cats; mean durations from time of treatment to time of negative fungal culture results and resolution of gross lesions were 8.3 and 12 days, respectively. Time to resolution of lesions in most untreated control animals was approximately 90 days. Adverse effects of treatment were not detected.

CONCLUSIONS & CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of this study suggest that lufenuron provides an effective, convenient, and rapid method for treating fungal infections in dogs and cats.


Long-Term Health and Predictors of Survival for Hyperthyroid Cats Treated with Iodine 131
J Vet Intern Med 15[1]:47-51 Jan-Feb'01 Retrospective Study 6 Refs

* Margaret R. Slater; Sue Geller; Kenita Rogers
* Dept of Veterinary Anatomy and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A &M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458; e-mail: mslater@cvm.tamu.edu
Two hundred thirty-one cats treated with radioactive iodine at the Texas Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital were followed for a median of 25 months by means of an ambidirectional (prospective, retrospective) cohort study design. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine predictors of survival based on data at the time of hyperthyroid diagnosis (collected retrospectively) and found that only age at diagnosis and sex of the cat were predictors of survival. Increasing age (for each year of age, relative risk [RR] = 1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-1.3) and being male (RR = 0.68, 95% Cl = 0.5-0.9) increased likelihood of death. Tables predicting survival after diagnosis and treatment of hyperthyroidism for various age and sex combinations were created. In addition, Cox proportional hazard models were run with all data available at the end of the study (collected retrospectively and prospectively) including number and type of major health problems reported at the time of death or censoring. In this model, significant factors were age at diagnosis, sex, and either type of major health problem or number of health problems. Cats with renal disease or cancer were more likely not to survive and increasing from none to 2 health problems also decreased survival. Renal problems and cancer were the most common health problems at the time of death or censoring. This study provides estimates of duration of survival for cats successfully treated for hyperthyroidism with radioactive iodine, which can be useful in assisting with client treatment decisions. [Summary]

[malernee]

Treatment of Dermatophytosis in Dogs and Cats: Review of Published Studies
Vet Dermatol 15[2]:99-107 Apr'04 Review Article 49 Refs

Karen A. Moriello
Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 Linden Drive West, Madison, WI 53706 USA; E-mail: moriellk@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
The recent literature on the treatment of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats was reviewed. Based upon in vitro studies using isolated infected hairs and controlled or field in vivo studies, the following topical treatments were consistently found to be antifungal (i.e. anti-dermatophyte): lime sulfur (1:16), 0.2% enilconazole rinses, and a combined 2% miconazole/chlorhexidine shampoo. Animals or hairs were either bathed or rinsed once or twice weekly. Itraconazole, griseofulvin and terbinafine were evaluated in controlled or field studies, most commonly involving cats. Griseofulvin (50 mg kg-1) was reported to cure infected animals in 41-70 days. Itraconazole (10 mg kg-1 once daily or in a combined daily/pulse therapy 10 mg kg-1 once daily for 28 days and then week on/ week off) was reported to cure infected animals in 56-70 days. Low-dose itraconazole (1.5-3.0 mg kg-1) in 15day cycles required 1-3 cycles (15-45 days). Various doses of terbinafine (5-40 mg kg-1) were reportedly used to treat dogs or cats. The higher doses of terbinafine (> 20 mg kg-1) were required to achieve a mycological cure; the number of treatment days to cure varied from 21 to > 126 days. Lufenuron was reported anecdotally to be an effective cure, however, this was not substantiated in controlled studies. Finally, fungal vaccines were not found to be effective against challenge exposure, however, there is evidence that they may be useful in treatment protocols. [Abstract]