OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a doxycycline-based oral paste (Pulmodox® paste, Virbac) in the treatment of acquired bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract in dogs.

MATERIALS

A multi-centered, controlled and randomised clinical field trial was conducted in France, Belgium and Germany. The efficacy of the test product was compared to doxycycline-based tablets (Ronaxan®, Merial) Both products were administered at the dosage of 10 mg/kg once daily for 5 days (D0 to D4). Dogs included in the study presented clinical signs of upper respiratory tract infection. Swabs of fundus of throat were taken from all dogs for bacteriological determination on D0. A clinical examination was performed on D0, D5 and D10. Statistical analysis was carried out on D10 recovery rates (Chi-squared test), on time course of rectal temperature and clinical score (two-way analysis of variance).

RESULTS

Seventy-three dogs were included in each group. The main pathogenic agents isolated were Enterobacteriaceae (31% to 51% of the isolates according to the country). 19% of the isolates were Streptococcus sp. and 18% Staphylococcus sp.

At the time of inclusion, more than 50% of the dogs presented a tracheitis. Main symptoms were cough (95%), sneezing (43%) and nasal discharge (40%). Rectal temperature and clinical score decreased significantly from D0 to D10. There was no statistically significant difference between groups. On D10, recovery rates were 86% and 85% in the test and control group respectively (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The doxycycline-based paste was as efficient as the reference product in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in dogs according to the dose regimen tested: 10 mg/kg once daily for 5 days.