Background - Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Malassezia pachydermatis are important agents in canine pyoderma and otitis. Hypothesis/Objectives - Determine the in vitro efficacy of a honey-based gel (HBO) against meticillin-susceptible S. pseudintermedius, meticillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius and M. pachydermatis, by minimum bactericidal concentration, minimum fungicidal concentration and time-kill assay. Efficacy of the product's honey component (HO) also was evaluated. Conclusions and clinical importance - Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and M. pachydermatis are susceptible to the HBO and these results can be used for future clinical trials.

Background – Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are increasingly isolated from veterinary patients. Objectives – To determine risk factors for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among canine mucosal staphylococci following routine antimicrobial treatment with cefalexin, clavulanate-amoxicillin, cefovecin, clindamycin or a fluoroquinolone. Conclusions – Systemic antimicrobials impact on mucosal staphylococci. Immediately after therapy, the mucosa may be a reservoir for AMR staphylococci that are a source of mobile genetic elements carrying AMR genes.

Background – Treatment of canine demodicosis can be challenging; new treatments are always being sought. Objective – The efficacy of sarolaner was evaluated in comparison with a moxidectin/imidacloprid topical product against generalized demodicosis in dogs in a randomized, single-masked, multi-centre field study. Conclusions – Monthly oral administration of sarolaner was safe and highly effective in the treatment of generalized demodicosis in dogs.

Background – Adverse food reaction (AFR) is diagnosed with a two month elimination diet (ED), followed by challenge with the original food. Hypothesis/Objective – To evaluate reactivity of selected ED and performance of a Western blot serological test for the diagnosis of AFR. Conclusion – Western blot analysis cannot be considered as a valid tool for the diagnosis of AFR; it may serve as an aid in selecting an ED.

Background – Total IgE concentrations in dogs are higher than in humans. Persistent Toxocara canis larval infestation is prevalent in dogs and is associated with substantial specific antibody reactions. A correlation, however, between total IgE and T. canis-specific antibody levels in dogs has not been evaluated. Objectives – To determine the relationship between total IgE, T. canis-specific IgG and IgE, and allergen-specific IgE levels in atopic and non-atopic dogs, and to evaluate possible confounding factors. Conclusions –Toxocara canis-specific IgE appears to be a major component of total IgE in dogs. Total and T. canis-specific IgE levels are higher in non-atopic compared to atopic dogs. It is speculated that T. canis infestation may have a protective effect against the development of canine atopic dermatitis and/or that elevations in total serum IgE level are often not associated with atopic dermatitis.

Background - Oxidative stress (OS) has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of human and canine atopic dermatitis (AD) through several distinct mechanisms. Selected serum biomarkers of OS (sbOS) have been validated in normal dogs and studied in several canine diseases. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the sbOS evaluated in this study have not previously been described in canine AD. Hypothesis/Objectives - The aims of the study were to evaluate a panel of sbOS in dogs with food-induced (FIAD) and nonfood-induced (NFIAD) AD: cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange (FOX), ferric reducing ability of the plasma (FRAP), paraoxonase-1 (PON1), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and serum total thiol (THIOL). The aim was to compare these metabolites with those in healthy control dogs, and to correlate sbOS with validated pruritus and CADESI-04 severity scales in dogs with AD. Conclusions and clinical relevance - These findings suggest that OS could play a role in the pathogenesis of canine NFIAD and FIAD. In addition, the evaluation of sbOS could be useful for precision medicine to help to detect atopic dogs that might benefit from antioxidant-targeted therapies.