Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treating dog ear infections with LED-illuminated gel compared
By Tambella, Adolfo Maria et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2020·School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Management of otitis externa with an led-illuminated gel: a randomized controlled clinical trial in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with painful ear infections (otitis externa) were treated with either a new LED-illuminated gel or standard medications. The dogs receiving the gel twice a week showed the most improvement, with reduced pain and inflammation, and better control of bacteria in their ears. All treatment groups experienced some positive effects, but the gel treatment was easier for owners to apply and helped dogs feel better. This suggests that the LED gel could be a helpful option for managing ear infections in dogs.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Canine otitis externa is a painful condition which can be challenging to treat due to difficulties in the administration of otic medication. This can be due to lack of owner compliance in the application of ear drops or due to the resentment that some dogs demonstrate when attempts are made to administer topical medication into a sensitive ear canal. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of a topical LED-illuminated gel (LIG) in canine otitis externa in comparison to standard of care therapy. Dogs with spontaneous otitis externa were randomly allocated in three groups: groups QW received LIG once weekly; BW received LIG twice weekly; group C received enrofloxacin and silver sulfadiazine twice daily. LIG consists of a topical application of a gel containing chromophores that, when illuminated by a LED lamp, re-emit fluorescent light which can stimulate physiological responses, promoting healing and controlling bacteria. The evaluation protocol (Tto T) considered clinical assessment (OTIS-3-index-scoring-system; pruritus-severity-scale; pain-severity-score; aural temperature), cytological scoring system, quali-quantitative bacteriologic assessment. RESULTS: All groups (QW, n = 21; BW, n = 23; C, n = 20) showed improvement during the study (QW: P < 0.02 for cytological and pain scores, P < 0.003 for bacteriologic assessment, P < 10for pruritus, total OTIS-3 and temperature assessments; BW: P < 10for all clinical, cytological and bacteriologic assessments; C: P < 0.02 for all clinical and cytological assessments, P < 10for bacteriologic assessment). The highest clinical score reduction occurred in Group BW (P < 0.014 in T; P < 0.001 in Tand P < 10in T). BW reached the clinically relevant effect level at T(- 3.26 ± 1.21 levels), QW reached it at T(- 3.24 ± 0.99), C did not reach it. No differences between groups were seen in the reduction of CFU/mL (T-T). CONCLUSIONS: All treatment groups showed a positive clinical effect. LIG administered twice-a-week was the most favourable protocol of the study. LIG may be considered beneficial in the management of canine otitis externa; it seems to be effective in controlling the clinical condition, including the signs of inflammation and local pain, the bacterial growth, and it may help increasing treatment compliance.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32192496/