CANINE NASAL ASPERGILLOSIS - RESULTS OF TREATMENT USING CLOTRIMAZOLE AS A TOPICAL AGENT

This case series describes the response of canine nasal aspergillosis to topical clotrimazole treatment in 11 dogs. The antifungal agent was administered to affected dogs by one of three methods: A) twice daily administration for 10 days via surgically implanted, indwelling cathe ters into the frontal sinuses and nasal cavity (three dogs); B) a sing le treatment consisting of one-hour contact-time with the drug immedia tely following catheter placement (three dogs); and C) non-invasive in tranasal single infusion via the nostrils with a one-hour contact time (five dogs). All dogs were assessed for recurrence of the disease (fo llow-up time range two to 24 months). In one of the three dogs and two of the three dogs treated by method 4 and B respectively, clinical si gns of aspergillosis recurred. However, four of the five dogs treated by method C were free of disease at the fourth week post-treatment ass essment. The remaining dog required one further intranasal infusion be fore complete resolution occurred. From this small case series, it app ears that non-invasive intranasal infusion of topical clotrimazole app ears to be an effective treatment for canine nasal Aspergillus infecti ons. This simple non-surgical treatment can be easily performed by vet erinarians in general practice.