Fluorescence Biomodulation for Canine Interdigital Furunculosis: Updates for Once-Weekly Schedule

Treatment of canine periocular dermatitis with rhytidectomy (surgical face-lift) and fluorescence photobiomodulation: A case report

Canine periocular dermatitis may be associated with excessive facial folds and heavy brows (EFF-HB). There is no gold standard therapy for EFF-HB-associated periocular dermatitis, and conventional medical management may fail. Herein, we describe periocular fluorescence photobiomodulation and rhytidectomy as novel approaches to treat EFF-HB-associated periocular dermatitis refractory to medical management.

Ultrasonographic findings may be useful for differentiating interdigital abscesses secondary to migrating grass awns and interdigital furunculosis in dogs

Grass awn migration and furunculosis are common diseases in dogs that can lead to interdigital subcutaneous lesions with a similar clinical presentation, and occasionally similar ultrasonographic images, but different treatments are required. This retrospective, multicentric, analytical study aimed to determine whether epidemiological, clinical, and ultrasonographic features could be used to differentiate interdigital furunculosis and abscesses secondary to migrating grass awns. Fifty-nine dogs that underwent interdigital ultrasonography were included (interdigital furunculosis [IDF], n = 27; interdigital abscess secondary to a migrating grass awn [IAGA], n = 32). Ultrasonographic images were reviewed by two observers blinded to the diagnosis, who graded nine qualitative and four quantitative parameters for each patient. In both groups, pruritus/licking (IDF 74%, IAGA 70%), a discharging interdigital wound (63% for each group), and thoracic limb involvement (IDF 88%, IAGA 75%) were common features. On ultrasound, a subcutaneous multilinear hyperechoic main element was identified in most dogs (IDF 85%, IAGA 100%). The ability to display this element in a single plane (P < 0.01), the absence of additional hyperechoic linear elements in different planes (P < 0.01), and a surrounding hypoechoic halo (P < 0.05) were significantly more common in dogs with interdigital abscesses secondary to migrating grass awns. A cut-off value of 0.83 cm for the length of the main multilinear element provided a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 87% in the diagnosis of a migrating grass awn. Findings supported prioritizing a differential diagnosis of interdigital abscesses secondary to grass awns in dogs with these ultrasonographic characteristics.

Critically Appraised Topic on Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in Dogs: An Advisable Treatment for Skin Diseases?

Simple Summary

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a therapeutic technique with reported regenerative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic effects. In the last few years, LLLT has been used in dogs for the management of different skin lesions and diseases. This study reports a literature review using the critically appraised topic (CAT) method to determine the canine skin diseases for which LLLT is an advisable treatment. Only primary clinical prospective studies were considered. A meticulous literature search revealed 19 significant clinical trials, and these were critically analyzed. The evaluation of the best accessible evidence in July 2022 suggests that LLLT can be a promising and effective adjunctive treatment in combination with systemic antibiotic therapy for canine interdigital pyoderma and canine deep pyoderma. Furthermore, the use of LLLT is not recommended as a therapy for pedal pruritus secondary to canine atopic dermatitis. In other canine skin diseases, there is a possible helpful effect of LLLT; however, the evidence for its use is not currently convincing.

Abstract

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a therapeutic option that stimulates cellular function through intracellular photobiological and photochemical reactions, promoting better tissue repair and an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic effect. Previous studies in human and veterinary medicine have shown the clinical efficacy of LLLT in many fields. In this study, the literature was reviewed using the critically appraised topic (CAT) method to determine the canine skin diseases for which LLLT is an advisable treatment. A meticulous literature search revealed 19 significant clinical trials, which were critically analyzed. The evaluation of the best accessible evidence in July 2022 suggests that fluorescence biomodulation (FBM), a type of LLLT, can, in combination with systemic antibiotic therapy, be a promising and effective adjunctive treatment for canine interdigital pyoderma and canine deep pyoderma. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that the use of LLLT is not recommended as a therapy for pedal pruritus secondary to canine atopic dermatitis. For other canine skin diseases included in the CAT, although LLLT appears to be a promising treatment, there is not yet good scientific evidence to recommend its use.