Betafuse 1 mg/g + 5 mg/g Gel for Dogs POM 15g

Betafuse for dogs is used in the treatment of acute surface pyoderma in the dog, such as acute moist dermatitis (‘hot spots’) and intertrigo (skin fold dermatitis), caused by Gram-positive bacteria sensitive to fusidic acid.

This medication comes in an off-white to white gel and the active ingredients are Betamethasone Valerate and Fusidic Acid. Shelf life after first opening the container is 8 weeks.

How To Buy Betafuse 1 mg/g + 5 mg/g Gel

Betafuse 1 mg/g + 5 mg/g Gel is a prescription-only medication. This means that before you complete your purchase, you are required to upload a prescription through our online portal.

Once our team has confirmed you've ordered the right medication for your dogs, we will send out your order. It's a simple process that means you can buy Betafuse online instead of going to your vet every month.

How To Use Betafuse 1 mg/g + 5 mg/g Gel

To apply Betafuse gel the hairs covering the lesions should first be gently clipped. The affected area should then be thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic wash before daily application of Betafuse gel.

The amount applied should cover the affected area in a thin layer. Apply approximately 0.5 cm length of gel per 8 cm2 of lesion, twice daily, for a minimum period of 5 days. Treatment should continue for 48 hours after the lesion has resolved. The treatment period should not exceed 7 days.

Special Precautions

Official, national and regional antimicrobial policies should be taken into account when the product is used.

It is recommended that use of the product should be based on bacteriological sampling and susceptibility testing. If this is not possible, therapy should be based on epidemiological information about susceptibility of the target bacteria. Use of the product deviating from the instructions given in the SPC may increase the prevalence of bacteria resistant to fusidic acid.

Use of the product in association with occlusive bandages or dressings should be avoided.

Betamethasone valerate can be absorbed percutaneously and may cause temporary suppression of adrenal function.

In dogs with treated or stabilised Cushing’s syndrome, only use the product after careful consideration of the benefit risk balance by the responsible veterinary surgeon.

Avoid eye contact.

The dog should be prevented from licking treated lesions and so ingesting the product.

Where there is a risk of self-trauma or a risk of accidental transfer to the eye, for example, application of the product on the forelimb, preventative measures such as the use of a protective collar should be considered.

Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals

People with known hypersensitivity to the active ingredients or to any of the excipients should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product.

Corticosteroids may produce irreversible effects in the skin; they can be absorbed and may have harmful effects, especially with frequent and extensive contact or in pregnancy. Pregnant women should take special care to avoid accidental exposure.

Always wear single-use impermeable gloves when applying this product to animals.

Wash hands after having applied the product.

Care should be taken to avoid contact with treated areas of the animal, for the duration of the treatment period.

Care should be taken to avoid accidental ingestion by a child. In the case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet to the physician.

Target species

Dog.

Indications for use, specifying the target species

For the treatment of acute surface pyoderma in the dog, such as acute moist dermatitis (‘hot spots’) and intertrigo (skin fold dermatitis), caused by Gram-positive bacteria sensitive to fusidic acid.

Contraindications

• Do not use for the treatment of deep pyoderma.
• Do not use in pyotraumatic furunculosis and pyotraumatic folliculitis with ‘satellite’ lesions of papules or pustules. 
• Do not use where fungal, viral infection or demodicosis is present. 
• Do not apply to the eye. 
• Do not use over large surface areas or for prolonged treatment. 
• Do not use in dogs suffering from impetigo or acne. 
• Do not use in dogs with unstabilised or untreated Cushing’s syndrome or diabetes mellitus. 
• Do not use in dogs with pancreatitis. 
• Do not use in dogs with gastrointestinal ulcers.
• Do not use in cases of known hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients.

See section "Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay".

Special warnings for each target species

Pyoderma is often secondary in nature. The underlying cause should be identified and treated.

Special precautions for use

Special precautions for use in animals

Official, national and regional antimicrobial policies should be taken into account when the product is used.
It is recommended that use of the product should be based on bacteriological sampling and susceptibility testing. If this is not possible, therapy should be based on epidemiological information about susceptibility of the target bacteria. Use of the product deviating from the instructions given in the SPC may increase the prevalence of bacteria resistant to fusidic acid.

Use of the product in association with occlusive bandages or dressings should be avoided.
Betamethasone valerate can be absorbed percutaneously and may cause temporary suppression of adrenal function.

In dogs with treated or stabilised Cushing’s syndrome, only use the product after careful consideration of the benefit risk balance by the responsible veterinary surgeon.

Avoid eye contact.

The dog should be prevented from licking treated lesions and so ingesting the product.
Where there is a risk of self-trauma or a risk of accidental transfer to the eye, for example, application of the product on the forelimb, preventative measures such as the use of a protective collar should be considered.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
People with known hypersensitivity to the active ingredients or to any of the excipients should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product.

Corticosteroids may produce irreversible effects in the skin; they can be absorbed and may have harmful effects, especially with frequent and extensive contact or in pregnancy. Pregnant women should take special care to avoid accidental exposure.

Always wear single-use impermeable gloves when applying this product to animals.
Wash hands after having applied the product.
Care should be taken to avoid contact with treated areas of the animal, for the duration of the treatment period.

Care should be taken to avoid accidental ingestion by a child. In the case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet to the physician.

Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)

Prolonged and intensive use of topical corticosteroid preparations or treatment of a large cutaneous surface (>10%) is known to trigger local or systemic effects including suppression of adrenal function, thinning of the epidermis and delayed healing.

Locally applied steroids may cause depigmentation of the skin.
Discontinue use if hypersensitivity develops to the product.

Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

The use of the product during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended. The safety of the product has not been assessed during pregnancy and lactation.

Laboratory studies have demonstrated that topical application of betamethasone in pregnant females may lead to malformations in neonates. Small amounts of betamethasone can pass the blood-milk-barrier.
Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Concurrent treatment with steroids and NSAIDs may increase the risk for the development of gastrointestinal ulcers.