title: The influence of topical unsaturated fatty acids and essential oils on normal and atopic dogs.
abstract: Seven dogs with atopic dermatitis and six normal dogs were treated with a spot-on product containing essential oils and unsaturated fatty acids q 7 days for 8 wk. Seven additional atopic dogs received a daily spray containing similar ingredients to the spot-on. In all dogs, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured before and after treatment using a closed chamber device. In atopic dogs, a validated lesion score (canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index, CADESI) was determined and pruritus was assessed with a visual analog scale before and after treatment. The mean CADESI scores in atopic dogs decreased with the spot-on (P=0.0043) and with the spray (P=0.0366). Similarly, the pruritus scores decreased with the spot-on (P=0.266) and with the spray (P=0.0177). There was a significant difference between the TEWL values of healthy and atopic dogs on the abdomen (P=0.0181) and back (P=0.0123). TEWL decreased significantly on the back after treatment with the spray (P=0.016), but not on the abdomen (P=0.078). Adverse effects were not observed. The results of this pilot study indicate that topical fatty acids and essential oils are a useful treatment option for canine atopic dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Medicine Clinic, Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tretter
authors.forename: Ralf S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Mueller
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D009822:Oils, Volatile