Raw WGS sequence reads of gut microbiome in privately-owned dogs with pruritic dermatitis
Given that skin allergies and pruritic dermatitis are highly prevalent in dogs, with a lack of reliable treatment methods, a dietary supplement containing a blend of probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins, nutrients and a yeast-derived postbiotic was developed with the potential to promote symptom reduction through dermatological, immune, and gastrointestinal support. To assess the impact of this supplement on allergy symptoms and the gut microbiome, which may influence such symptoms, in companion dogs with pruritic dermatitis, a 10-week trial was conducted. The supplement supported faster improvements and resolution of pruritus symptoms, with differences seen compared to a placebo group after 2 weeks. Simultaneously, at the end of the trial, the gut microbiome in treated dogs was enriched with three of the supplemented probiotic species, and unhealthy species were reduced. The enrolled client-owned dogs represented a variety of breeds, ages, and sizes with diverse pruritus severity, which may make the results of this trial more applicable to a larger population of dogs with pruritic dermatitis. Future trials should expand upon the use of dietary supplements with multimodal capabilities for relief of pruritic dermatitis under stricter cohort definitions.