Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Does ear steroid medicine affect skin allergy tests in dogs
By Ginel, Pedro J et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2007·Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effects of otic betamethasone on intradermal testing in normal dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of healthy beagles was tested to see if an ear medication containing betamethasone could reduce skin reactions to allergens. The dogs received either the betamethasone treatment or a placebo for two weeks, followed by a wash-out period before switching treatments. After the betamethasone treatment, the dogs showed significantly reduced reactions to certain allergens and histamine, but their adrenal glands were not negatively affected. This suggests that betamethasone can help manage allergic reactions without causing serious side effects.
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Abstract
Otitis externa is common in atopic dogs and is frequently treated using potent glucocorticoids topically. These preparations can cause adrenal suppression and affect skin test reactivity. The purpose of this study was to determine if an otic product containing betamethasone could decrease skin reactivity in normal dogs. Sixteen laboratory beagles were used in a cross-over, blinded trial. Dogs were enrolled in two groups; one received placebo and the other a betamethasone-containing otic preparation (Otomax) twice daily for 2 weeks. After a 4-week wash-out period, treatments were switched. Dogs were intradermally tested on days 0 and 14 of each treatment period with histamine phosphate (1 : 100,000 and 1 : 200,000 w/v) and allergens common in the area. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation tests were done before and after treatment to investigate adrenal suppression. After 2 weeks of otic betamethasone, Dermatophagoides farinae (P = 0.0034), Cynodon dactylon (P = 0.0459) and histamine 1 : 100,000 w/v (P = 0.0028) reactions were significantly reduced. Pre-treatment post-ACTH serum cortisol levels and those obtained after both treatments did not differ statistically (P = 0.6362). Betamethasone induced a slight but statistically significant elevation (P = 0.0002) of serum alkaline phosphatase. Despite the increase, values were within normal range. It is concluded that, although otic betamethasone did not suppress adrenal glands, it mildly suppressed intradermal reactions to 1 : 100,000 w/v histamine, D. farinae and C. dactylon.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17610484/