Therapeutic efficacy of cold atmospheric plasma in dogs with acute otitis externa

Objective: This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy, tolerability, and safety of CAP in treating acute otitis externa in dogs. Material and Methods: Twenty-two dogs with bilateral acute otitis externa were divided into two groups of 11, with two different treatment protocols for each ear. In the first group, one ear was treated twice daily with a topical antibiotic/antifungal/corticosteroid for 10 days (STD1), while the opposite ear was applied CAP on Day (D) 0 and D5 (SAP1). In the second group, one ear received the same drug protocol (STD2), while the opposite ear was applied CAP on D0, D3, D6, and D9. OTIS-3 and cytology scores were assessed on D0, D5, D10, and D15, with efficacy evaluations from investigators and owners were recorded on D5, D10, and D15. Results: Significant reductions in OTIS-3 and cytology scores were observed over time in both SAP groups, similar to STD groups (p<0.001). Treatment response in SAP groups was evaluated as good or very good by nearly all investigators and owners. CAP demonstrated high tolerability, with no adverse effects. Conclusion: CAP was proved to be as effective as standard therapy providing a positive therapeutic effect in both protocols in this study. Keywords: Acute otitis externa, Cold atmospheric plasma, Dog, Therapeutic efficacy