Dose assessment of 2% chlorhexidine acetate for canine superficial pyoderma

The dose of 2% chlorhexidine acetate (2CA; Nolvasan^® Surgical Scrub; Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, IA, USA) for canine superficial pyoderma was evaluated. The first trial compared three doses (group 1, 57 mL/m² body surface area; group 2, 29 mL/m² body surface area; and group 3, 19 mL/m² body surface area) in a randomized, double‐blind, controlled fashion. Twenty‐seven dogs with superficial pyoderma were treated with 2CA at the allocated doses every 2 days for 1 week. The owners and investigators subjectively evaluated the dogs, and investigators scored skin lesions, including erythema, papules/pustules, alopecia and scales, on a 0–4 scale. There were no significant differences in response between the treatment groups. The second trial established a practical dose‐measuring method for 2CA. Sixty‐eight owners were asked to apply 2CA on their palm in an amount corresponding to a Japanese ¥500 coin, 26.5 mm in diameter. This yielded an average dose of 0.90 ± 0.40 mL. Mathematically, the doses used in groups 1, 2 and 3 can be represented as one coin per approximately one‐, two‐ and three‐hand‐sized lesions, respectively. The results therefore suggest that owners instructed to apply one coin of the product per two‐hand‐sized areas of superficial pyoderma would use the range of doses evaluated in this trial.