Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fluconazole versus itraconazole for treating blastomycosis in dogs
By Mazepa, A S W et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2011·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Retrospective comparison of the efficacy of fluconazole or itraconazole for the treatment of systemic blastomycosis in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 144 dogs diagnosed with systemic blastomycosis (a fungal infection) were treated with either fluconazole or itraconazole to see which was more effective and safer. While both medications helped many dogs, 90% of those treated with itraconazole achieved remission compared to 75% with fluconazole. However, fluconazole was much cheaper and required a longer treatment duration. Both medications had a similar risk of liver issues, making fluconazole a good option for pet owners looking for a more affordable treatment.
People also search for: dog blastomycosis treatment · fluconazole vs itraconazole for dogs · dog fungal infection symptoms
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Itraconazole is recommended for treatment of blastomycosis in dogs. Some evidence suggests that fluconazole might be less hepatotoxic than itraconazole. OBJECTIVES: To compare (1) incidence of clinical remission and death; (2) treatment duration; (3) total drug cost; (4) incidence of relapse; and (5) incidence of increased ALT activities in dogs with blastomycosis treated with fluconazole or itraconazole. ANIMALS: One hundred and forty-four dogs with systemic blastomycosis treated with itraconazole or fluconazole from 1998 to 2008. METHODS: Retrospective case review. Information obtained included signalment, body weight, clinical signs, drug regimen, treatment duration, time to clinical remission, and laboratory results. RESULTS: Neither treatment efficacy between fluconazole (75% remission) and itraconazole (90% remission) nor relapse rate (18% for itraconazole, 22% for fluconazole) was significantly different (P = .13, .75, respectively). Treatment duration was significantly longer for fluconazole (median 183 days) than for itraconazole (138 days; P = .001). Costs for fluconazole (median $1,223) were significantly less than for itraconazole ($3,717; P < .001). Incidence of increased ALT activities was not significantly different between groups (17% [3/18] for fluconazole, 26% [6/23] for itraconazole; P = .71). CONCLUSIONS: Fluconazole is associated with survival to clinical remission in 75% of dogs with blastomycosis. Although dogs receiving fluconazole were treated longer, drug costs were one-third those of itraconazole. Hepatotoxicosis, as estimated by increases in serum ALT activity, can be observed with similar incidence for both drugs.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21418325/