Abstract / Summary
Abstract This prospective multicentric study evaluated whether regular monthly administration of afoxolaner reduces relapse frequency in dogs with an initial diagnosis atopic dermatitis (CAD). One hundred dogs diagnosed based on Favrot’s criteria were enrolled and allocated to two groups: one receiving monthly afoxolaner treatment and one untreated. Relapses were defined as worsening pruritus or skin lesions requiring medical intervention. The primary outcome was the number of relapses over a 12-month period, while secondary outcomes included flea infestations, treatment types, and occurrence of secondary infections. The study is not intended to determine the cause of relapses, but simply to measure the reduction in the number of such relapses. Ninety-six dogs completed the study, including 65 treated and 31 untreated individuals. The median number of relapses was significantly lower in the treated group compared to the untreated group (2 vs 3; p = 0.04). In addition, flea-related relapses occurred less frequently in treated dogs (p = 0.01), and untreated dogs more often required long-term antipruritic therapy (p = 0.03). These findings indicate that monthly administration of afoxolaner significantly reduces relapse frequency and flea-associated flare-ups in dogs with an initial diagnosis of CAD, while also decreasing the need for prolonged antipruritic treatment. Ectoparasite prevention should therefore be considered an integral component of the multimodal management of canine atopic dermatitis.