IVJ, 74:417-419 1997

THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY OF A HERBAL GEL FOR SKIN AFFECTIONS IN DOGS

Anuj K. Agrawal

Pet Care Clinic, 10/188 Rampur Road, Haldwani – 263 139 (U.P.)

Skin affections including wounds are a common presentation in small animal practice 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
dermatoses have varied manifestations and if untreated, can produce secondary complications affecting
the overall health of the animal. Treatment is often challenging and unrewarding. The present report
deals with the clinical evaluation of a herbal multiaction skin gel AV/AAGD/14* in pet skin affections.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was carried out on 31 dogs showing clinical signs or lesions of various dermatological
conditions (Table). The dogs belonged to various pedigreed breeds and ranged in age between two
months and eight years. Clinical diagnosis was confirmed by examination of skin scrapings wherever
possible. The scabies mite was identified on the basis of morphological features as Sarcoptes scabiel.
Ringworm was diagnosed from typical lesions aided by presence of the fungus. Parasitological
examination of the maggots revealed them to be larvae of Chrysomyia bezziana.

AV/AAGD/14 was applied topically after washing the affected area with warm water and drying.
In long haired dogs clipping was done as required. The application regimen differed according to the
indication and severity (Table).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Eczema: The lesions were mostly localized to elbows, facial inguinal and interdigital regions.
Although itching and scratching were reduced in 4-5 days of starting of AV/AAGD/14 therapy in twice-a-
day schedule, the lesions took longer to heal (10 –16 days).

Scabies: The itching subsided in 3-4 days and progressive healing was appreciable following
therapy. Skin scrapings taken after one week of initiation of treatment were negative for mites. The
lesions healed in 9-18 days depending on severity.
Non-specific dermatitis: Clinical signs were not indicative of a specific aetiology and the
scrapings were negative for any pathogen. Anti-histaminic therapy was given in these cases. All the six
dogs (100%) fully recovered in 5-7 days.
`
 AV/AAGD/14 is the research code name of new formulation developed for pets by Dabur Ayurvet
Limited, 22, Site IV, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad – 201010 (U.P.). Each 10 gm contains (quantities in g):
Deodar (Cedrus deodara) oil 3.0, Karanj (Pongamia glabra) oil 3.0, Nilgiri (Eucalyptus globulus) oil
0.10, Vacha (Achorus calamus) oil 0.10, and Neem (Azadirachta indica) oil 2.0 in absorption basis
q.s.

EFFICACY OF HERBAL MULTIACTION SKIN GEL AV/AAGD/ IN DOGS

Type of Number Number Schedule of No. of days

Dermatoses treated recovered applications for cure
Eczema 9 8 2 per day for Ist week, 10-16
once per day thereafter

Scabies 7 5 “ “ 9-18

Non-specific 6 6 1-2 per day 8-15

Dermatitis

Collasities 4 4 1-2 per day 7-10

Ringworm 3 3 2 per day for Ist week, 6-12

and once per day
Thereafter.

Incised/surgical 5 5 1-2 per day 6-10

Wounds.

Maggot wounds 4 3 2 per day 7-10

Callosities: These lesions resulted from friction and were unaesthetic in appearance. In
accompanying mild pruritis was present with a tendency for the, lesion to turn scabby. The response to
AV/AAGD/14 was dramatic in all the 4 dogs. Other dermatological conditions and wounds also
responded well to the AV/AAGD/14 therapy. Treated wounds showed healthy granulation in 4-5 days
and in most of the cases healing was completed in 7-8 days. For maggot wounds, insertion of a swab
soaked with AV/AAGD/14 deep into the wounds increased the efficacy of treatment.

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, agreeable
smell, non-staining property and fly repellence make for good owner acceptance. Efficacy of herbal
preparations in the treatment of wounds (Sharma et al., 1981), scabies (tripathy et al., 1989; Das, 1996),
dermatomycosis (Sharma and Dwivedi, 1990) and pyoderma (Thakur et al., 1992) in canines has 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 isect repellent activities (Kirtikar and Basu, 1975). These are likely to have
contributed to the combined action in AV/AAGD/14. It is concluded from the present study that
AV/AAGD/14 is an efficacious, broad spectrum and herbal product for a variety of skin affections in dogs.
SUMMARY

Clinical evaluation of a herbal multiaction skin gel (AV/AAGD/14 in skin affections was carried out
on 31 dogs and was found to be effective and safe in curing variety of specific, non-specific dermatitis
and surgical and maggot wounds.

REFERENCES

Das, S.S. (1996) ….Vet Parasitol 63: 303.

Kirtikar, K.R. and Basu, B.D. (1975) …Indian Medicinal Plants. Popular Prakashan, Bombay.
Sharma, H.N., Deka, K.N. and pathak, S.C. (1981) …..Pashudhan 7 : 64.
Sharma, M.C. and Dwivedi, S.K. (1990) …. Indian Vet. J. 67 : 269.
Subramanian, M. Naggarajan, V.V. and Gnanaprakasam, V. (1989)…Ibid – 66 : 1082.
Thakur, D.K., Sudhan, N.A. and Azmi, S. (1992)…Indian J.Indg.Med. 8 : 47.
Tripathy, S.N., Tripathy, S.B. and Das, P.K. (1989) …. Ibid 6 : 41.