The art of shampoos in canine and feline dermatology: Treatment and prevention strategies

Abstract

This paper reviews the current technology pertaining to veterinary shampoos used for dogs and cats. The criteria used to evaluate their efficacy are presented. The indications for the use of shampoos in keratoseborrhoeic disorders, parasitic diseases, bacterial diseases, fungal diseases and allergic diseases are reviewed. In keratoseborrhoeic disorders both keratomodulating and antiseborrhoeic agents are used. Antiparasitic shampoos are not frequendy used in veterinary dermatology and their indications and limitations are discussed. Antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic agents are included in shampoos designed to treat dermatoses resulting from microbiological agents. Their indications and efficacy are presented. Shampoos are used nowadays in conjunction with other forms of therapy to treat allergic skin diseases. The benefits of such adjunctive topical therapy are discussed. Lastly, the properties of moisturizers are presented and the value of their use in combination with therapeutic shampoos is emphasized.

Use of a modified hair strand test to assess the antifungal activity kinetics of dog hair after a 2% climbazole shampoo application

“…Antimicrobial shampoos are frequently used alone or as an adjunctive therapy for the control of bacterial or fungal skin diseases in dogs. They serve to reduce, by both physical and chemical means, microbial counts on the skin surface . In recent years, there has been considerable progress in improving topical formulations, especially by extending the action of active ingredients.…”