Use of fluorescent light energy for the management of bacterial skin infection associated with canine calcinosis cutis lesions

Abstract

A 15-year-old male golden retriever who had been receiving prednisolone for orthopaedic problems for the past 2 years was presented for multifocal symmetrical alopecia, skin nodules and plaques on the dorsal aspect of the body. Cytology was compatible with calcinosis cutis due to suspected iatrogenic hypercortisolism, with secondary pyoderma. The Phovia system, a device that emits fluorescent light energy (FLE), was used as an adjunct to systemic antimicrobial and topical (spray and shampoo) therapies. Part of the lesions were covered with a towel and not exposed to Phovia, to evaluate efficacy. Cytology confirmed accelerated improvement of the Phovia-illuminated lesions compared with unexposed lesions. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of FLE being used to manage bacterial skin infection associated with canine calcinosis cutis. It highlights the importance of this type of topical management against bacterial skin infections.