Use of 3% chlorhexidine + 2% miconazole aqueous lotion for the treatment of malassezia pododermatitis in a do

Abstract

Pododermatitis associated with Malassezia sp. Overgrowth is a frequent condition in dogs, characterized by intense pruritus and skin alterations that may progress to chronic cases if not diagnosed and treated early. This report describes the treatment of a seven-year-old Shih-Tzu female dog, with diagnosis confirmed by cytological examination using the acetate tape method and stained with Rapid Panoptic. The therapeutic protocol consisted of topical application of an aqueous lotion containing 3% chlorhexidine and 2% miconazole, every 12 hours for 28 days. Clinical progress was monitored using the pruritus visual analog scale (pVAS) and an adapted CADESI-4 score for podal lesions. Progressive clinical improvement was observed, with significant remission of pruritus and cutaneous alterations, demonstrating the effectiveness of the topical therapy. This case reinforces the importance of early diagnosis, systematic monitoring and investigation of primary causes to reduce relapses and ensure long-term clinical management.