The efficacy of commercially available veterinary diets recommended for dogs with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

The classical treatments for dogs with atopic dermatitis have traditionally been oral antipruritic drugs, allergen-specific immunotherapy and topical therapy. Fifty dogs with atopic dermatitis were included in this multicentred, double-blinded, randomized study to compare clinical response to an 8-week period of feeding one of three commercial veterinary foods marketed for dogs with atopic dermatitis (diets A-C) or a widely distributed supermarket food (diet D). Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed using Willemse's criteria and through the exclusion of differential diagnoses. Fourteen dogs were assigned to diet A and 12 dogs each to diet B, C or D. Flea and tick control using a monthly fipronil spot-on product was administered for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to inclusion in the study and during the study period. Evaluations were made monthly. These included lesion scores, using an established scoring system (canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index, CADESI-03) and owner evaluation of pruritus level using a visual analogue scale. After 8 weeks on the new diets, there was a significant improvement in CADESI and pruritus scores with diet B (Wilcoxon test, P = 0.043 and paired t-test, P = 0.012, respectively), in pruritus scores with diet A (paired t-test, P = 0.019) and in CADESI scores with diet D (Wilcoxon test, P = 0.037). No significant changes were detected with diet C. Based on the results of this study, in addition to the conventional therapies, changing the diet of dogs with atopic dermatitis may be a useful adjunctive therapeutic measure.

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials for prevention or treatment of atopic dermatitis in dogs: 2008–2011 update

“…Of the RCTs that tested the evolution of skin lesions over time, the validated third version of the CADESI score was used in 10 studies, 21–24,26,27,29,30,34,35 while five trials employed the second version of this scale, which had limited validation 25,31,33,36,37 . Four trials employed unvalidated scales modified from the first, second or third versions of the CADESI – the so called ‘modified CADESI’ or ‘mCADESI’– having changed the type of lesions, the body sites and/or the severity rating used (A. Puigdemont, personal communication 2012) 28,38,39 .…”

Efficacy of an essential fatty acid‐enriched diet in managing canine atopic dermatitis: a randomized, single‐blinded, cross‐over study

“…A more recent, randomised, double‐blind trial found that a diet high in n3 (480 mg MJ −1 EPA) and n6 (50 mg MJ −1 g‐linolenic acid [GLA]) EFAs significantly improved erythema and pruritus in atopic dogs compared to their usual diets 9 . Additionally, feeding a n3 EFA enriched, n6 EFA controlled diet for eight weeks was recently reported to result in superior improvement of pruritus and other signs in dogs with atopic dermatitis, compared with two other veterinary diets and one non‐veterinary diet 10 …”

Nutritionally Responsive Dermatoses

“…97 A group of 50 dogs with atopic dermatitis were randomly assigned to one of the three therapeutic foods or to the control diet, a commercial adult maintenance food. 97 A group of 50 dogs with atopic dermatitis were randomly assigned to one of the three therapeutic foods or to the control diet, a commercial adult maintenance food.…”

“…97 The omega-6 fatty acid content should meet the EFA requirements of dogs and cats, but it should not exceed 4% of the metabolizable energy (ME) calories. The easiest and most effective way to modulate this ratio is by incorporating it directly into the pet's normal diet.…”