Lakshmi Rani, N(MAJOR)Suresh, KSreenu, MAKKENARAMANA, VALLE2017-05-192017-05-192014-03http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810011682THESESABSTRACT : On screening of 362 dogs with dermatological ailments during the period from March 2012 to August 2012, the prevalence of Malassezia dermatitis accounted for 10.22 per cent. The Malassezia dermatitis was more prevalent in adult dogs (51.35%) and less in puppies and dogs aged above 7 years (10.81%) with higher prevalence in males (64.86%) than females (35.14%). The condition was recorded higher in Labrador Retriever (43.24%) breed with greater incidence during May (37.83%) and June (27.02%) months. However no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) was noticed among different parameters studied regarding prevalence. The principal clinical signs observed in affected dogs included pruritus, erythema, scaling, exudation, alopecia, offensive odour , hyperpigmentation and lichenification which were observed in 100%, 78.37%, 59.45%, 64.86%, 54.05%, 89.18, 48.64% and 43.24% of the affected dogs respectively. Ears (81.08%) were affected in majority of the dogs followed by other body parts. Cytology revealed presence of Malassezia alone in 32.44% dogs and mixed infection with bacteria in 67.56% dogs. Mycological cultural examination of 37 samples that were positive for cytology revealed regular round colonies after 48 hours of incubation in Sabouraud’s dextrose agar without the addition of oil denoted that Malassezia pachydermatis was lipid independent. Malassezia dermatitis was associated with concurrent conditions like pyoderma (13.51%), hypothyroidism and renal failure (2.70%), demodicosis (10.81%), tick infestation (8.10%) and scabies (2.70%) in 40.54% of dogs. In-vitro antifungal sensitivity test was done by using conventional antifungal agents and observed that 93.33% of the Malassezia pachydermatis isolates were sensitive to ketoconazole. Addition of Cassia alata leaf powder @ 10mg/ml to Sabouraud’s dextrose agar plates inhibited the growth of Malassezia pachydermatis. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) values in dogs affected with Malassezia dermatitis showed no significant difference (P>0.05) with the healthy dogs. Therapeutic trails were undertaken based on the extent of clinical lesions and the animals were divided into four groups. Sixteen dogs with generalised Malassezia dermatitis were randomly allocated to two groups i.e Group I and Group II. Group I was treated with Tab. ketoconazole @ 10 mg/kg. b. wt. per orally and shampoo containing ketoconazole and chlorhexidine (Ketochlor®). Group II was treated with Tab. ketoconazole @ 10 mg/kg. b. wt. per orally and topical application of Cassia alata soap and Cassia alata ointment. The efficacy of drugs used in Group I and Group II was assessed based upon clinical cure (pruritus score and clinical index score) and cytological examination. All the dogs in both the groups responded to the therapeutic regimen but with a difference in the onset of resolution of clinical signs and time taken for recovery. The time taken for recovery was 23.62±2.93 and 28.87±3.08 days respectively in Group I and Group II without any significant difference (P>0.05 between the two groups.). In both the groups adverse effects and significant (P<0.05) elevation of ALT levels was noticed after therapy. Sixteen dogs with localised Malassezia dermatitis were randomly allocated to form two groups i.e. Group III and Group IV. Dogs in Group III were treated with topical application of ketoconazole cream and shampoo containing ketoconazole and chlorhexidine (Ketochlor®) while Group IV dogs were treated with topical application of Cassia alata soap and Cassia alata ointment. The per cent cure was 100% in both the groups with the average time taken for recovery as 17.50±2.29 and 22.75±2.29 days in Group III and Group IV respectively with no significant difference (P>0.05) between the two groups. It is concluded that Cassia alata ointment and soap could treat Malassezia dermatitis with similar efficacy as that of antifungal agents and suggests that Cassia alata could be used as an alternative to synthetic antifungal agents as it is locally available and treatment is cost effective with no adverse effects even after prolonged application. Hence, Cassia alata could be incorporated into soap and ointment and made commercially available for the treatment of canine Malassezia dermatitis as the plant has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.ennullThesis