Efficacy of medium chain triglyceride oil dietary supplementation in reducing seizure frequency in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy without cluster seizures: a non‐blinded, prospective clinical trial

Abstract

BackgroundDespite appropriate antiseizure drug (ASD) treatment, around two-thirds of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE) have seizures long-term and 20–30per cent of affected dogs remain poorly controlled.MethodsThe current study aim is to test in a field trial the efficacy and tolerability of a commercially available diet enriched with 6.5per cent medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil in dogs (n=21) with at least a tier 1 idiopathic epilepsy diagnosis, without cluster seizures, in 10 veterinary practices across Europe. Each dog’s quality of life (QoL), ataxia, sedation and frequency and severity of seizures were recorded by owners throughout the study.ResultsThe mean seizure frequency per month, averaged over the entire 84-day study, significantly (P=0.04) decreased 32per cent compared with the baseline monthly seizure frequency recorded during the month immediately before feeding the diet. Similarly, the seizure days rate (days/month) also declined (P<0.001) by 42per cent. QoL was reported as very good to excellent (>8.5/10) in 20 of the 21 dogs before starting the diet and this remained unchanged during the trial.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the use of a diet enriched with MCTs as an adjunct to ASD treatment may have some antiseizure properties for dogs diagnosed with IE, as demonstrated in previous studies.

Research priorities for idiopathic epilepsy in dogs: Viewpoints of owners, general practice veterinarians, and neurology specialists

“…Evidence for the efficacy of MCT supplementation to the diets of dogs with IE is increasing, with reductions in epileptic seizures, behavioral and cognitive comorbidities both when combined within a kibble diet [56][57][58] and when added as a supplement to a dog's base diet. 59,60 Understanding the mechanisms behind these positive effects (eg, impacts on the dog microbiome and metabolome 61 ), and identifying profiles of dogs most likely to respond to this dietary intervention is a future priority for MCT research.…”

Dietary medium chain triglycerides for management of epilepsy: New data from human, dog, and rodent studies

“…The magnitudes of the anticonvulsant effects in dogs associated with dietary MCT supplementation published 99 , 101 , 103 are very similar to successful new ASDs in large human Phase III efficacy trials, where new drugs are tested in 200–600 patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy as add‐on treatment. In these trials, approximately 30%–50% of people experienced greater than 50% reduction in seizures when treatments were deemed efficacious, and the placebo showed efficacy in 10%–26% of people.…”

“… 101 Nine of 21 dogs (43%) had more than 50% reduction in seizure frequency, including two dogs becoming seizure‐free. 101 In a recently published multicenter randomized double‐blinded crossover study, dog owners were taught to add MCT oil (contributing 9% daily energy) containing 50%–65% octanoate and 30%–50% decanoate versus colorless, extra virgin olive oil to their dogs' regular food for a total of 28 dogs. 102 , 103 The case number chosen for this study was based on the results of Law et al, 99 who used a similar study design.…”

“…Regarding changes in behavior, less stranger‐directed fear was observed among different behaviors noted, indicating potential anxiolytic effects of add‐on MCTs 100 . A nonblinded study investigated the effects of a 6.5% MCT commercial diet in dogs with epilepsy and found a reduction in seizure frequency by 33% over a 3‐month period without changes in ASD blood levels 101 . Nine of 21 dogs (43%) had more than 50% reduction in seizure frequency, including two dogs becoming seizure‐free 101 .…”

“…A nonblinded study investigated the effects of a 6.5% MCT commercial diet in dogs with epilepsy and found a reduction in seizure frequency by 33% over a 3‐month period without changes in ASD blood levels 101 . Nine of 21 dogs (43%) had more than 50% reduction in seizure frequency, including two dogs becoming seizure‐free 101 . In a recently published multicenter randomized double‐blinded crossover study, dog owners were taught to add MCT oil (contributing 9% daily energy) containing 50%–65% octanoate and 30%–50% decanoate versus colorless, extra virgin olive oil to their dogs' regular food for a total of 28 dogs 102,103 .…”