A Randomised Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of a Two-Dose Topical Terbinafine and Betamethasone Gel for the Treatment of Yeast Otitis Externa in Dogs.

Clinical Context

Peer-reviewed veterinary literature continues to shape everyday decision-making for canine patients, especially when new evidence clarifies diagnosis, treatment selection, monitoring, or clinical outcomes.

What the Study Evaluated

A study published in Veterinary dermatology in 2026 evaluated a Randomised Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of a Two-Dose Topical Terbinafine and Betamethasone Gel for the Treatment of Yeast (Malassezia pachydermatis) Otitis Externa in Dogs..

Key Findings

Otitis externa (OE) with Malassezia pachydermatis overgrowth with limited bacterial involvement is common in dogs. Treatment with products containing antibiotics is unnecessary and not consistent with judicious use of antimicrobials. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of an otic gel containing 1% terbinafine and 0.1% betamethasone acetate for the treatment of yeast-predominant canine OE. 239 privately owned dogs were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were an otitis index score (OTIS3) of ≥ 6 and yeast-predominance on ear swab cytological evaluation. Dogs received either the study product containing terbinafine and betamethasone (TBG) or placebo...

Why It Matters for Veterinary Professionals

For veterinary professionals, the practical value of this work lies in how the findings may support more structured clinical assessment, clearer monitoring, and more informed decisions for canine patients.

Practical Interpretation

The results should be interpreted in the context of the study design, population, inclusion criteria, and clinical setting. Application in practice should consider patient-specific risk factors, available diagnostics, local standards of care, and clinician judgment.

Clinical Takeaway

Overall, the study adds useful evidence for clinicians seeking to align daily practice with current veterinary research while maintaining a balanced, case-by-case approach.

• Read the full article here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42638346/