Impact of Fluorescent Light Energy on the Quality of Life of Dogs with Dermatologic Disease and Their Owners

Background: Quality of life (QoL) is a term used to evaluate general well-being, and it is defined as ‘the degree to which an individual enjoys his or her life. Within the realm of medicine, the evaluation of QoL frequently involves examining how disease exerts a detrimental impact, diminishing the enjoyment and fulfilment experienced by the individual. Dermatological diseases have been found to exert a substantial negative influence on the QoL of dogs and their owners due to nuisance and stress related to the disease but also due to the caregiver burden. In the management of bacterial skin infections, topical therapy is commonly administered alongside systemic antibiotics. Nonetheless, the protracted duration of treatment and difficulties in ensuring owner compliance can introduce a significant caregiver burden, potentially exacerbating the challenges associated with these conditions. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact on the quality of life (QoL) of dogs with dermatologic diseases after fluorescent light energy (FLE) treatment. Methods: The study was an open, prospective, multicentric clinical trial that included dogs with various dermatological conditions. The dogs received FLE treatment once weekly until the clinical resolution was achieved. Owners completed a validated questionnaire to assess the QoL of their dogs before and after therapy. Results: Thirty-five dogs with deep pyoderma, interdigital furunculosis, pyotraumatic dermatitis, wounds and perianal fistulas were included. All dogs received two sessions of fluorescent light energy once a week. Median treatment duration was 9 weeks for perianal fistula, 7 weeks for interdigital furunculosis, 5 weeks for deep pyoderma, 3 weeks for wounds and 1.5 weeks for pyotraumatic dermatitis. Complete remission was noted in 86% of dogs, and 14% showed an improvement but partial remission. The majority of owners reported a positive impact on their dogs’ QoL after therapy, and 74% of the dogs showed at least a 50% reduction in QoL scores. Conclusion: Fluorescent light energy has been shown to exert beneficial effects on the healing of dermatological diseases and the quality of life (QoL) in dogs and their owners, whether used as a standalone treatment or in combination with standard care therapies. Additionally, it was well-tolerated by the dogs. This study emphasizes the significance of considering both the owner’s and dog’s QoL when evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of dermatological treatments.