Low-level laser therapy for itchy dog paws with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

BackgroundCanine atopic dermatitis is a genetically predisposed inflammatory skin disease often requiring multimodal treatment. There is a need to find further low‐risk adjunctive therapies.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo evaluate the localized effect of low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) on the paws of dogs with atopic dermatitis using a localized canine atopic dermatitis severity score (LCADSS) and owner localized pruritic visual analog score (LPVAS) in comparison to treatment with a placebo.AnimalsThirty client‐owned dogs with symmetrical pedal pruritus due to canine atopic dermatitis.MethodsDogs were randomly assigned into two groups. In each group, one paw was treated with LLLT and one paw treated with a placebo laser (comparing either both fore‐ or hindpaws). Treatments were administered at 4 J/cm2 (area from carpus/tarsus to distal aspect of digit 3) three times per week for the first 2 weeks and two times per week for the second 2 weeks. Scores were assessed for each paw at weeks 0, 2, 4 and 5.ResultsThere were no significant differences in LCADSS or LPVAS between LLLT and placebo treatments between weeks 0 and 5 (P = 0.0856 and 0.5017, respectively). However, LCADSS and LPVAS significantly decreased from week 0 at weeks 2, 4 and 5 in both LLLT and placebo groups (P < 0.0001 for all).Conclusions and clinical importanceLow‐level laser therapy is not an effective localized treatment for pedal pruritus in canine atopic dermatitis.