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The glucocorticoid sparing efficacy of Phytopica TM in the management of canine atopic dermatitis
Author(s) -
Schmidt Vanessa,
McEwan Neil,
Volk Andrea,
Helps John,
Morrell Kevin,
Nuttall Tim
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
veterinary dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1365-3164
pISSN - 0959-4493
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3164.2009.00858.x
Subject(s) - placebo , medicine , atopic dermatitis , polyuria , glucocorticoid , visual analogue scale , adverse effect , prednisolone , anorexia , anesthesia , randomized controlled trial , gastroenterology , dermatology , endocrinology , alternative medicine , pathology , diabetes mellitus
This double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled trial indicates that Phytopica™ can be an effective glucocorticoid sparing agent in canine atopic dermatitis (AD). Twenty‐two dogs with perennial AD [Canine Atopic Dermatitis with Severity Index (CADESI‐03) ≥ 60] were given 200 mg/kg Phytopica™ or an identical placebo in food once daily for 56 days. All dogs were initially given 0.4 mg/kg methyl‐prednisolone once daily, which was then adjusted according to the daily pruritus score (0–100 mm visual analogue scale). The cumulative dose and pruritus score were lower in the Phytopica™ than the placebo group. There were statistically significant time and treatment effects for the methyl‐prednisolone dose and pruritus score, but there were no significant differences between the Phytopica™ and placebo groups in the proportion of dogs that achieved a > 50% reduction in dose or pruritus scores at day 56; the mean CADESI‐03 scores at days 0, 28 and 56; the numbers achieving >50% reduction in CADESI‐03 at days 28 and 56; or in the owners’ global efficacy score at days 28 and 56. Adverse events included diarrhoea (three Phytopica™ and one placebo treated dog), polyuria/polydipsia (three dogs in each group), and polyphagia, intermittent anorexia and panting (one dog each in the placebo group). None of these by themselves required withdrawal of treatment.