Indian Vet. Med. Jour. Vol.

20, September, 1996 : 231 – 233

CLINICAL EFFICACY OF A HERBAL GEL FOR SKIN DISORDERS IN DOGS

D. Uthappa and B.N. Sharma
Friendicose-Seca Animal Hospital, 271 & 273
Defence Colony Flyover, New Delhi-110 024

Skin disorders in small animal practice are extremely common and represent the largest single
group condition (Subramanian et al., 1989). Depending on the aetiological factors, the dermatosis can be
specific (due to bacteria, parasites and fungi), allergic and traumatic. These are manifested in the form of
dermatitis, pruritis, ulcerations, ocdematous swellings and different types of wounds. These ailments,
unless taken care of, produce secondary complications affecting the overall health of the animal.
Therefore, it is the common concern of the practicing veterinarian to mange these with topical
applications that are efficacious, broad spectrum, safe and economical. The present report is based on
the clinical trial of a herbal multiaction skin gel AV/AAGD/14*.

The trials were carried out on 61 dogs, inmatcs and outpatients of an animal shelter, having
lesions of various skin affections including wounds (Table 1). The dogs were of various breeds; pure,
mixed and non-descript and different ages ranging between three months and 10 years. Dogs showing
skin lesions of scabies were confirmed by examination of skin scrapings for mites.

The skin gel was applied topically after washing the lesion with water or normal saline and drying.
In long haired dogs clipping was done as required. The applications were made once daily for the dirst 7
days and thereafter on alternate days till recovery. Response to treatment was evaluated by daily
observation for the regression of lesions, wound healing, relief of pruritis or maggocidal effect, as
applicable. Supportive therapy was given where essential.

Wounds and Injuries: Dressing with AV/AAGD/14 was the only treatment in 14 cases of surgical
aseptic wounds. (Table 1). All the cases responded favourably, healthy granulation appeared in 4-5 days
of treatment, and in majority (10) of the cases healing was completed within 7 days. In septic wounds
and abscesses, drainage of pus helped although AV/AAGD/14 was not inactivated by the pus. Three of
the dogs with extensive wounds were given supportive antibiotic therapy.

Eczema : The lesions were located in and around the ears, checks, eye orbit, inguinal and foot
pad regions. Specific anti-fungal therapy with or without antibiotic was administered in five of the cases.
Although itching and scratching were reduced in 4-5 days of AV/AAGD/14 therapy the lesions took longer
time to heal completely (Table 1).

Scabies : The itching subsided in 3-4 days and progressive healing was appreciable following
gel therapy. Skin scrapings taken after one week of treatment were negative for mites. The lesions
healed in 8-9 days in mild cases (4) and in 10-12 days in severe generalised cases (3).
Pyoderma : The cases handled were of superficial pyoderma characterized by fistule, ulceration,
alopecia, hyperpigmentation and thickening of skin. Amenability to treatment with AV/AAGD/14 gel,
further confirmed the antibacterial activity of this preparation.
*Code name of new research formulation developed by Dabur Ayurvet Limited, 22 Site IV, Sahibabad,
Ghaziabad – 201 010 (U.P.).

In pet practice, a large chunk of a clinician’s time is spent on treating skin ailments of verious
types and in caring for wounds and injuries. At present, out of the numerous topical medicaments
available, there is no single preparation which can adequately satisfy all the attributes expected of its. In
the present evaluation, AV/AAGD/14 was well- tolerated and there was no irritation or other adverse
effect, immediate or cumulative even in small pups. The easy spreadability of gel, aggreable smell, non-
staining property and fly repellence make for good owner acceptance. Efficacy of herbal gel preparations
in the treatment of wounds (Sharma et al., 1981), scabies (Tripathy et al., 1989), dermatomycosis
(Sharma and Dwivedi, 1990) pyoderma (Thakur et al., 1992) ahs earlier been documented. The herbal
ingredients of the formulation AV/AAGD/14, namely distilled extracts of Cedrus deodara and Acorus
calamus, Neem oil and eucalyptus oil are known for their antibacterial, antifungal, miticidal and insect
repellent activities (Kirtikar and Basu, 1975). It is concluded from the present study that AV/AAGD/14 is
an efficacious, broad spectrum and safe herbal product for a variety of skin affections in dogs.

Table –1: Clinical efficacy of AV/AAGD/14 in dogs.

Type of skin Number Number Average Average

Efficacy Disorder recovered applications No. of days
treated for cure rating for
cure
Surgical wounds 11 14 7 7 Excellent

Injuries (cuts),deep 11 10 9 10 Excellent,

one
Punctured & septic dog could not
Wounds) be followed up
Maggot wounds 5 5 10 13 Excellent
Eczema 10 8 12.5 18 Good
Ringworm 3 3 11 15 Excellent
Scabies 7 7 10 13 Excellent
Non-specific 6 5 9 11 Excellent
Dermatitis
Pyoderma 3 2 15.5 24 Good
Pruritis 2 1 7 7 ---
Total 61 55 -- -- Excellent
Efficacy rating : Excellent = more than 80% cure
Good = 60-80 % cure
REFERENCES

Kirtikar, K.R. and Basu, B.D. (1975) – Indian Medicinal Plants, popular Prakashan, Bombay.

Sharma, H.N., deka, K.N. and Pathak, S.G. (1981) – Clinical trial of Himax in the treatment of Wounds in
animals. Pashudhan, 7 : 64.

Sharma, M.G. and Dwivedi, S.K. (1990) – Efficacy of a herbal drug preparation against dermato-Mycosis
in cattle and dog. Indian Vet.J. 67 : 269 – 279.

Subramanian, N., Nagarjan, V.V. and Gyanaprakassam, V. (1969) – A note on the histological Changes
of skin in dermatitis. Indian Vet.J. 66 : 1282-1083.

Thakur, D.K., Sudhan, N.A. and Azmi, S. (1992) – Management of pyoderma in dogs with Indigenous
medicine. Indian J. Indig.Med. 8 : 47-48.

Tripathy, S.N., Tripathy, S.B. and Das, P.K. (1989) – Sarcoptis mange in dogs and its therapy Indian J.
Indig. Med. 6 : 41-48