Conofite Ear Drops for Dogs

Conofite is a medication indicated for the comprehensive treatment of external otitis in dogs. It is also useful for treating certain types of dermatitis. This is thanks to its composition which contains three active ingredients, two of which are used to kill various fungi and bacteria. These active ingredients have broad-spectrum applications which means they can be used to kill a large range of pathogens.

In addition to its fungicidal and bactericidal actions, it also has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and anti-allergic activity. This makes it very useful in treating the discomfort associated with these ear and skin problems in dogs. This is in addition to attacking the etiological agents that cause said infection in these animals.

Conofite is a topical suspension for use in dogs that comes in the form of ear drops. It is applied directly to the area of skin affected by otitis or dermatitis so that its action can work effectively and efficiently.

Conofite is the trade name for a medication which contains three active ingredients. These ingredients of Confoite ear drops for dogs are the following:

• Miconazole Nitrate (23 mg): a synthetic derivative of imidazole, a compound with antifungal activity. Specifically, it is active against yeasts and dermatophyte fungi. It has also been shown to be effective against some Gram-positive bacteria (e.g. Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp.). This potential lies in its ability to alter cell permeability that causes components within the cell to be lost and the use of glucose is inhibited.
  
  
• Polymyxin B (5500 IU): a polypeptide bactericide useful against Gram-negative bacteria, including pseudomonas. This works by binding to the lipopolysaccharides and phospholipids of the cytoplasmic membrane of bacterial cells, affecting their functionality and permeability.
  
  
• Prednisolone (5 mg): a glucocorticoid analogue of cortisol, with anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and anti-allergic activity. It acts quickly to relieve the symptoms that are so annoying for affected dogs, while reducing local edema and inflammation. This also helps to manage the symptoms of injuries caused by self-trauma from scratching or biting.

Learn more about the causes of the symptoms which Conofite helps to manage with our article on why a puppy keeps scratching and itching.

Conofite is a broad-spectrum medication used to treat external otitis and dermatitis in dogs caused by the following gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and fungi:

• Yeasts: such as Candida spp. and Malassezia pachydermatis .
• Fungi: such as Microsporum spp. and Trichophyton spp.
• Gram-positive bacteria: such as Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp.
• Gram-negative bacteria: such as Pseudomonas spp. and Escherichia coli.

Conofite is also effective against the ear mite Otodectes cynotis, but not because of its active ingredients. It works due to the intrinsic activity of its excipient ingredients (i.e. non-active ingredients). Learn about a medication which does have active ingredients against this type of ear mite with our article on amitraz for dogs.

Conofite is a medication that is administered topically in the ear canal or directly on the affected skin. The dosage of Conofite for dogs will depend on the type of pathology being treated.

For external otitis, the dose usually ranges from 3 to 5 drops of the product every 12 hours. The duration of the treatment is usually between 1-2 weeks. In the case of dermatitis the amount will vary, depending on the extent of the lesion. It will be necessary to cover the entire affected area and its surroundings every 12 hours. This will also need to be carried out for 1-2 weeks.

The duration of treatment must last until the symptoms are completely resolved, something that usually lasts about 7-14 days in the vast majority of cases. In the most difficult cases, this period can be extended up to a month.

Conofite is used topically and directly on the affected area. Before using the product, it is necessary that the area to be treated is clean and dry. If the dog has a lot of hair in the area, it should be trimmed.

The medication must be applied in sufficient quantity to cover the affected area and its surroundings in the case of dermatitis. For external otitis, 3 to 5 drops into the ear canal will need to be applied and massaged to distribute the product correctly. Treatment is discontinued when the clinical signs associated with these problems have resolved.

It is important when applying the treatment to be careful that it does not come into contact with the affected dog's eyes. If this does occur, they will need to be thoroughly irrigated and cleaned. Anyone administering the medication must also be careful not to touch it directly and must wash their hands properly after applying it to the dog.

It is not common for Conofite to cause side effects in dogs. It does contain corticosteroids, so reactions such as temporary local irritation may occur in some cases. In the case of prolonged treatment, undesirable systemic effects may also appear. One such systemic effect is deafness which is more common in older dogs. If this occurs, cessation of treatment and consultation with your veterinarian is required.

Learn more about the common health problems in older dogs with our related article.

As a medication, it has a series of contraindications for use that must be taken into account when treating otitis and dermatitis in dogs. These contraindications of Conofite are the following:

• Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity or allergy to any of the active substances or any excipient of the product.
  
  
• Do not use if the dog has a perforated eardrum, since one of the active ingredients, polymyxin B, is potentially ototoxic. This is one of the reasons deafness in dogs may occur.
  
  
• It should not be applied to very large areas of injured skin because it increases the risk of systemic absorption by the dog's body.
  
  
• Pregnant dogs should not be treated because it contains a glucocorticoid known as prednisolone which is contraindicated at this stage. Discover more about prednisolone for dogs, including its uses, dosage and side effects.

Discover more about ear problems in canines with our article on why a dog has black ear wax.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Conofite Ear Drops for Dogs, we recommend you visit our Medicine category.