A blinded, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy of borage seed oil and fish oil in the management of canine atopy.
Twenty-one dogs with atopy were entered into a blinded, placebo-controlled study lasting eight weeks. They were randomly divided into three groups and were all given supplementary oils orally once daily. The dogs in groups A and B were given borage seed oil and fish oil in combination (Viacutan; Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica) to provide 176 mg/kg or 88 mg/kg borage seed oil respectively. The dogs in group C were given 204 mg/kg olive oil as a placebo. They were all re-examined after four and eight weeks and scored for pruritus, erythema, oedema, alopecia and self-excoriation. After eight weeks the scores for erythema and self-excoriation, and the total score for the dogs in group A, and the total score for the dogs in group B were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The dogs in group C showed no significant improvement.
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D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004890:Erythema; D005395:Fish Oils; D010938:Plant Oils; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005395:Fish Oils; D010938:Plant Oils