Virbac has launched Cortotic, a corticosteroid-only treatment for the clinical signs associated with canine otitis externa, without an antimicrobial.

Cortotic contains hydrocortisone aceponate (HCA), a diester glucocorticosteroid to reduce inflammation.

In a clinical field study, published in Veterinary Dermatology, Cortotic was shown to be as effective in treating acute otitis as a fixed-combination product containing a corticosteroid, an antibiotic and an antifungal, with an equivalent improvement of clinical and cytological scores¹.

A secondary reduction of bacterial and yeast overgrowth was demonstrated and a concomitant treatment with an antimicrobial was unnecessary.

The product was shown to provide rapid relief from clinical signs, pruritus and pain¹.

Virbac says the lipophilic nature of the HCA diester provides enhanced penetration into the skin, a reservoir effect and low plasma availability for high local activity with reduced systemic secondary effects².

Chris Newark, Product Manager at Virbac said: "With Cortotic we’re excited to offer clinicians the ability to reduce antimicrobial usage when treating otitis externa in dogs, whilst offering the same efficacy as a fixed-combination product.

"The product’s easy administration also makes it an attractive choice for pet owners with 94% of owners stating that they would choose to use Cortotic again^3".

Cortotic is presented in an ear spray device with atraumatic cannula, which delivers a fine mist spray for even application.

Dosing is 2 pumps per application, whatever the dog’s size, once a day for 7-14 days.

References

1. Rigaut D, Briantais P, Jasmin P, Bidaud A. Efficacy and safety of a hydrocortisone aceponate containing ear spray solution in dogs with erythemato-ceruminous otitis externa: A randomised, multicentric, single-blinded, controlled trial. Vet Dermatol. 2024 Apr;35(2):197-206.
2. For the treatment of clinical signs associated with acute erythroceruminous otitis externa (Cortotic Summary of Product Characteristics).
3. Pet-owners satisfaction of use questionnaire after the clinical field efficacy study.

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