Exploring fluorescent light energy as management option for canine superficial bacterial folliculitis

Abstract

Superficial bacterial folliculitis (SBF) represents a common dermatological diagnosis in dogs that can be successfully managed with either topical and/or systemic treatments. In the present study we evaluated the efficacy of a fluorescent light energy (FLE) device as sole management for SBF. The same FLE device has been shown, as adjunct therapy to systemic antibiotic or alone, to effectively control clinical manifestation of interdigital furunculosis. Twenty dogs were randomized to receive FLE once (six dogs) or twice (six dogs) weekly in comparison with oral anti-biotic (eight dogs) until complete healing. FLE regimen was able to significantly reduce the time needed to clinical resolution for oral antibiotic, supporting owners’ compliance and welfare of dogs.

Exposure to blue light reduces antimicrobial resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from dog ear infections

“…Light therapy has been rarely used in veterinary medicine, but recently has attracted more attention due to the growing need for alternatives to antibiotics. A commercial product using light to activate photoactive gels applied to the skin is used in small animals in the UK, termed fluorescence biomodulation, and has roles in treating deep and superficial skin infections, likely through an anti-inflammatory effect ( Marchegiani et al, 2021 , 2023 ). Similarly, low-level laser therapy has been reported as useful as an adjunctive therapy in acral-lick dermatitis with both anti-staphylococcal and anti-inflammatory effects suggested ( Schnedeker et al, 2021 ).…”