Vetdrugs 2.0Chlorhexidine is a bisbiguanide antiseptic used in veterinary skin, oral and wound-care products. Its principal role is reduction of local microbial burden, including selected bacterial and yeast-associated skin disorders. Solutions, scrubs, shampoos and dental formulations have different clinical applications. Binding to treated surfaces contributes to residual antimicrobial activity.
Group
Biguanide antiseptic
Mechanism of Action
Positively charged chlorhexidine binds negatively charged microbial surfaces and disrupts cytoplasmic membrane integrity. Leakage of intracellular constituents inhibits or kills susceptible organisms; greater concentrations can cause precipitation of cellular contents. Binding to skin or oral surfaces prolongs local activity. Antimicrobial performance depends on formulation, concentration, contact and the organism involved.
Dose Rates
Dogs
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wound cleansing | Reference only | TOPICAL | Use 0.05% aqueous chlorhexidine diacetate for an appropriate wound; application is concentration-based, not a systemic mg/kg dose. | |
| Dilute wound irrigation or foot soak | Reference only | TOPICAL | Use an appropriate aqueous 0.05–0.1% preparation; select the lower tissue-tolerant concentration for wound lavage. Avoid detergent scrubs, eyes and middle-ear exposure. | |
| Dermatitis spray or wipe treatment | Reference only | TOPICAL | Every 12–24 h | Sprays or wipes are generally applied once or twice daily; exact product, concentration and treated area govern use. |
Cats
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wound cleansing | Reference only | TOPICAL | Use 0.05% aqueous chlorhexidine diacetate for an appropriate wound; application is concentration-based, not a systemic mg/kg dose. | |
| Dilute wound irrigation or foot soak | Reference only | TOPICAL | Use an appropriate aqueous 0.05–0.1% preparation; select the lower tissue-tolerant concentration for wound lavage. Avoid detergent scrubs, eyes and middle-ear exposure. | |
| Dermatitis spray or wipe treatment | Reference only | TOPICAL | Every 12–24 h | Sprays or wipes are generally applied once or twice daily; exact product, concentration and treated area govern use. |
Indications
- Preoperative skin antisepsis and local reduction of bacterial contamination.
- Topical treatment or adjunctive management of selected superficial bacterial pyoderma in dogs and other veterinary patients.
- Adjunctive topical treatment of Malassezia-associated dermatitis with an appropriate chlorhexidine product or antifungal combination.
- Cleansing of selected contaminated wounds using a tissue-compatible formulation.
- Adjunctive control of dental plaque or gingivitis with an appropriate veterinary oral preparation.
Contraindications
- Direct eye exposure
- Application into the middle ear or through a perforated tympanic membrane
- Contact with meninges or neural tissue
Interactions
- Anionic detergents can reduce antiseptic activity.
Adverse effects
- Irritation
- Contact hypersensitivity
- Corneal injury or ototoxicity after inappropriate exposure
Toxicity
Concentrated solutions and detergent scrubs damage healing tissue; immediately irrigate accidental sensitive-tissue exposure.
Preparations
| Preparation | Form | Strength | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorhexidine gluconate and cetrimide solution 1% + 1% Heilsaa Care Concentrate for external use; not a ready-to-use wound lavage or eye product. | Other | chlorhexidine gluconate 10 mg / mL + cetrimide 10 mg / mL | TOPICAL |
Monitoring and Administration
For wound lavage, a 0.05% aqueous chlorhexidine diacetate preparation is described; stronger solutions and detergent scrubs are unsuitable. Saline is less tissue-toxic.
Skin shampoo is a separate application from open-wound lavage. Avoid eyes, ears and mucous membranes unless the specific preparation is suitable.
Chlorhexidine is not predictably effective against Pseudomonas or Serratia. Antifungal activity is described at concentrations of at least 2%, which does not make those concentrations suitable for open-wound lavage.
For skin shampoo, leave in contact at least 10 minutes then rinse; frequency may range from daily to weekly according to the formulation and response. Prolonged treatment on granulating tissue can retard healing.
Some leave-on products contain alcohol and other active agents; they are not substitutes for dilute aqueous wound solutions.
Medicated wipes and pads deliver local treatment; a pad is not a mL or gram dose, so its contents are not used for unsupported volume conversion.