The effect of a spot-on formulation containing polyunsaturated fatty acids and essential oils on dogs with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that immunological aberrations and epidermal barrier defects could be important in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) and that oral polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) might influence the epidermal barrier. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a spot-on formulation containing PUFAs and essential oils on pruritus and lesions caused by CAD. Forty-eight privately owned dogs of different breeds, ages and genders diagnosed with atopic dermatitis were included in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical trial. Dogs were treated with a spot-on formulation containing PUFAs and essential oils or placebo on the dorsal neck once weekly for 8weeks. Before and after the study, CAD extent and severity index-03 (CADESI-03) and pruritus scores were determined by veterinarians and owners, respectively. There was significantly more improvement in CADESI-03 and pruritus scores in the treatment group than in the placebo group (P=0.011 and P=0.036, respectively). Additionally, more dogs improved by at least 50% in CADESI-03 and pruritus scores in the treatment group than in the placebo group (P=0.008 and P=0.070, respectively). No adverse reactions were observed. The topical preparation containing PUFAs and essential oils was a safe treatment and beneficial in ameliorating the clinical signs of CAD.

The effects of a topical lipid complex therapy on dogs with atopic dermatitis: a double blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled study

“…In the present study, there were no significant differences between the treatment and placebo groups for any of the evaluated clinical and skin barrier parameters. This is in contrast to other studies which demonstrated improvements in CADESI scores and/or pruritus after the use of topical fatty acids . However, most of these studies used different products with different frequencies of application.…”

“…Studies evaluating the influence of topical and oral fatty acids on the skin barrier in dogs are few in number and have either been performed in purposefully sensitized dogs within a research environment, or in clinical subjects using nonstandardized protocols. Nevertheless, topical and oral fatty acids reportedly restored the skin barrier, improved clinical signs and decreased medication requirements in dogs with AD …”

Clinical efficacy of low‐level laser therapy on localized canine atopic dermatitis severity score and localized pruritic visual analog score in pedal pruritus due to canine atopic dermatitis

“…Dogs were allowed to be on concurrent medications for treatment of atopic dermatitis. However, dosing of these medications could not have changed for a minimum amount of time prior to inclusion of the study, as follows: 12 months for allergen‐specific immunotherapy, 4 months for oral glucocorticoids, 4 months for oral ciclosporin (+/− ketoconazole), 3 months for oral fatty acids, 1 month for oral antihistamines and 1 month for topical therapy . Doses were required to stay consistent throughout the study.…”

Antibakterielle In-vitro-Wirksamkeit ätherischer Öle gegen veterinärmedizinisch relevante Keime klinischer Isolate von Hunden, Katzen und Pferden

“…Klinische Untersuchungen zeigten, dass eine Behandlung von an atopischer Dermatitis und an nicht generalisierter Dermatitis erkrankten Hunden mit kommerziell erhältlichen Formulierungen, die unter anderem ätherische Öle enthielten, zu einer Besserung der Symptomatik führten [8][9][10]. Ebenfalls zeigte sich bei bakteriell bedingter oberflächlicher Pyodermie durch eine zusätzlich zur antibiotischen Therapie durchgeführte topische Behandlung mit einem Manukaöl enthaltenden Präparat eine schnellere klinische Besserung, die unter anderem durch die antibakterielle Wirkung des Manukaöls bedingt sein könnte [11].…”