The Veterinarian Vol.

21 February 1997

CLINICAL EFFICAY OF HERBAL SKIN GEL THERAPY IN DOGS

Arvind Gautam
Dog and Cat Clinic
B-1, Ashish Complex, Shreshta Vihar, Delhi – 110 092

Skin affections are extremely common in small animal practice (Subramanian et al., 1989).
These dermatoses have varied manifestations in the form of inflammation, itching, oedematous swelling,
cuts and different types of wounds. Several aetiological factors viz. specific infections (bacteria, parasites
and fungi), allergies and traumas, may be involved signly or in combination. If neglected, secondary
complications affecting the overall health of the animal may result. The present report deals with the
clinical evaluation of a herbal multi action skin gel AV/AAGD/14* in dogs.

The study carried out on 34 dogs of different breeds and ages, showing clinical signs or lesions of
various dermatological conditions (Table 1). Confirmatory diagnosis by examination of skin scrapings
was done in suspected cases. AV/AAGD/14 was applied topically after clipping the hair and properly
cleaning the lesion with plain water. The application regime differed according to the indication and
severity (Table 1). Response to treatment was assessed by daily observation for the regression of
lesions, wound healing, relief of pruritis, maggocidal effect or hair regeneration, as applicable.
Supportive therapy was given to check the secondary bacterial infection in severe contaminated cases.

The observations recorded in respect of different indications were as follows:

Dermatomycoses : The lesions were characteristic of fungal infections viz. rough, circular or
semicircular patches mostly localized on the head and dorsum but occasionally found on other parts of
the body. The clinical improvement after AV/AAGD/14 was very good and 100% of the treated cases
were fully recovered in 7-10 days.

Wounds : Complete healing was achieved between 8 and 12 days depending on the size of the
wound and the extent of damage to the tissues. In maggot infested wounds, maggots died in two to three
applications when airtight padding along with the gel was done. The wound healing, however, took
longer due to the extensive tissue damage caused by deep penetration of the maggots.

Eczema : The lesions were located in and around the cheeks, eye orbit, ear, inguinal and foot
pad regions. The itching and scratching reduced in 4-5 days of AV/AAGD/14 therapy and the lesions
healed completely in 10-16 days (Table 1). The longer treatment required was possibly due to the
complex aetiology of the dermatoses.

Scabies : The use of AV/EPP/14* was for the first 2-3 days was useful supplement to gel
therapy. The itching subsided in 3-4 days and progressive healing was appreciable thereafter. The
lesions healed in 12-14 days in mild cases (3) and in upto 18 days in severe generalized cases (2).

Demodicosis : All the three cases were of generalized and pustular type. AV/EPP/14
*Research code name of new formulation developed for pets by Dabur Ayurvet limited, 22 Site
IV, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad – 201010 (U.P.)
*Research code name of ectoparasiticide for pets (Dabur Ayurvet).

was used as Co-therapy with the skin gel for the first five days. Complete recovery was achieved
in two dogs in 18 and 21 days, but one recurrent long standing case was not fully cured.

Callosities : These lesions resulted from friction and were unaesthetic in appearance. An
accompanying mild pruritis was also present. The response to AV/AAGD/14 was rapid in healing the
lesions (Table 1) in the two affected dogs.
 There is a multiplicity of topical formulation in the market with varied efficay and generally specific
indications. Ointments and creams function to soften, lubricate and protect the skin lesion thereby
promoting natural healing (Manning, 1983). In the present trial, AV/AAGD/14 while fulfilling these criteria,
provided advantages of gel form viz. easy spreadability, sticking quality and tolerability. Wide range of
activity and fly repellence were additional advantages in its use. Efficacy of herbal preparations in the
treatment of wounds (Sharma et al., 1981 ; Rajaraman and Appaji Rao, 1995), scabies (Tripathy et al.,
1989; Das 1996), dermatomycosis (Sharma and Dwivedi, 1990; Sharma et al., 1996) have earlier been
documented. The herbal ingredients of the formualtion 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) which apparently contributed to
AV/AAGD/14 action. 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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author wishes to record his appreciation to M/s Dabur Ayurvet Limited., Sahibabad for the
supply of free product samples for the trials.

REFERENCES

Das, S.S., (1996). Effect of a herbal compound for treatment of sarcoptic mange infestations on dogs.
Vet. Parasitol. 63 : 303-306.
Kirtikar, K.R. and Basu, B.D. (1975). Indian Medicinal plants. Popular Prakashan, Bombay.

Manning, T.O. (1083). Topical Therapy. In: Kirkwood, R.W. (Ed) Current veterinary therapy. VIII – Small
Animal Practice. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, London, pp. 462-467.
Rajaraman, E.D. and Appaji Rao, V.N. (1995). Clinical efficacy of multiaction skin gel `Charmil’. Indian
Vet. J. 72 : 1003 – 1005.
Sharma, H.N., Deka, K.N. and Pathak, S.C. (1981). Clinical trial of Himax in the treatment of wounds in
animals. Pashudhan. 7:64.
Sharma, M.C. and Dwivedi, S.K. (1990). Efficacy of a herbal drug preparation against dermatomycosis in
cattle and dog. Indian Vet J. 67 : 269-271.
Sharma, M., Katoch, R.C., Sharma, S.K., Asrani, R.K. and Sambyal, D.S. (1996). Charmil gel :
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and calves. Indian Vet.Med. J. 20 : 63-68.
Subramanian, M., Nagarjan, V.V. and Gyanaprakasam, V. (1989). A note on the histological changes of
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Indig. Med. 6 : 41-48.

Table 1 : Clinical Efficacy of herbal Multi action Skin Gel AV/AAGD/14 in Dogs.
Type of dermatoses Number Treatment schedule Duration of
cured/treated treatment (days)
Dermatomycoses 9/9 Twice daily 7-10
Wounds 7/7 Once daily 8-12
Scabies 5/5 Once daily for first week 12-18
alternate days thereafter
Eczema 3/4 Twice daily 10-16
Maggot wounds 4/4 Once daily 10-15
Demodicosis** (red 2/3 Twice daily for Ist 18-21
 mange) week,alternate days thereafter
Callosities 2/2 Twice daily 5-7
Ectoparasiticide AV/EPP/14 was used as co-therapy daily for first 3 days* and 5 days**