title: Comparison of the clinical efficacy of two commercial fatty acid supplements (EfaVet and DVM Derm Caps), evening primrose oil, and cold water marine fish oil in the management of allergic pruritus in dogs: a double-blinded study.
abstract: Twenty dogs with atopy or idiopathic pruritus were treated in a double-blinded clinical trial with computer-randomized and computer-generated sequences of 4 fatty acid-containing products: evening primrose oil, cold water marine fish oil, DVM Derm Caps, and EfaVet. Each dog received each product for a 2-week period. Five of 20 dogs (25%) had a good-to-excellent reduction in their level of pruritus with at least 1 of the products: evening primrose oil (2 dogs), DVM Derm Caps (1), EfaVet (1), DVM Derm Caps and cold water marine fish oil (1). Only 1 dog experienced a side effect (loose stools). Clinical response to fatty acid supplements appeared to be quite individualized, and independent of age, breed, sex, weight, duration of disease, specific diagnosis, or number of positive intradermal test reactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Decker
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Wellington
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004285:Dogs; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D008297:Male; D031665:Oenothera biennis; D010938:Plant Oils; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D005395:Fish Oils; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D010938:Plant Oils; C028498:evening primrose oil; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid