Double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate two miconazole conditioners for the treatment of Malassezia dermatitis in dogs.

Eighteen dogs with Malassezia dermatitis participated in a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of miconazole conditioners. Dogs were randomly assigned to receive vehicle only, miconazole 1%, or miconazole 2% conditioner. Conditioners were used three times weekly for 2 weeks and then twice weekly for 2 weeks. Investigators evaluated erythema, pruritus, and yeast counts weekly. Owners scored pruritus daily. Yeast number decreased in all treatment groups. Yeast number in the vehicle group was higher than in both the miconazole treatment groups but was not different between the two miconazole groups. Clinical scores decreased but no difference was detected among groups.