title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Small Animal Medicine at the Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Veterinärstrasse 13, 80539 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blaskovic
authors.affiliation: Animal Dermatology Clinic, Tustin, CA 92780, USA.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rosenkrantz
authors.affiliation: Derm4Pets Clinic, Chiltern Referral Services, Chalfont St. Giles, Buckinghamshire HP8 4AB, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neuber
authors.affiliation: Clinics for Ruminants at the Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Sonnenstrasse 16, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sauter-Louis
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Small Animal Medicine at the Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Veterinärstrasse 13, 80539 Munich, Germany. Electronic address: R.Mueller@lmu.de.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Mueller
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D009822:Oils, Volatile
keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Canine; Essential fatty acids; Topical therapy