P‐6 Double‐blinded comparative study of the efficacy of azithromycin and cephalexin in canine pyoderma

Abstract

A double‐blinded randomized, controlled study was carried out with the objective to evaluate the comparative efficacy of two antibiotics (azithromycin and cephalexin) in dogs with superficial pyoderma. Thirty‐seven dogs with clinical signs of superficial pyoderma were included in the study. The diagnosis of superficial pyoderma was based on history, clinical signs and cytology. The presence of underlying diseases was investigated through complementary diagnostic methods after clinical resolution of the pyoderma. Animals were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: cephalexin 30 mg/kg twice daily for 21 days, or azithromycin 20 mg/kg twice daily for 21 days. Response to therapy was considered to be satisfactory if complete recovery was achieved by day 14 of treatment. The effects of the two treatments were compared using the chi‐square test. Twenty dogs received cephalexin and 17 received azithromycin. Nineteen of 20 dogs treated with cephalexin achieved complete recovery on day 14, with no side effects reported. Ten of 17 dogs treated with azithromycin achieved complete recovery on day 14, but therapy was discontinued in one dog because of vomiting. Cephalexin was significantly more effective than azithromycin ( P = 0.0077). Azithromycin may be a therapeutic alternative in those patients in which cephalexin cannot be used. Funding: Self‐funded.