Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fish oil supplements may lower allergy medicine dose in dogs
By Schäfer, Laura & Thom, Nina·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2024·Clinic for Small Animals, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: A placebo-controlled, double-blind study evaluating the effect of orally administered polyunsaturated fatty acids on the oclacitinib dose for atopic dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 22 dogs with atopic dermatitis (a skin allergy condition) were given either a fish oil supplement (polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFA) or a placebo for 16 weeks while continuing their treatment with oclacitinib, a medication for itching. The dogs receiving the fish oil were able to significantly reduce their oclacitinib dosage and showed less itching compared to those on the placebo. Additionally, their quality of life and coat condition improved. Overall, the fish oil was safe and effective in helping these dogs manage their skin allergies with a lower dose of medication.
People also search for: dog itching treatment · atopic dermatitis in dogs · fish oil for dog allergies · oclacitinib dosage reduction · improving dog skin condition
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Supplementation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) enables dose reduction of prednisolone and ciclosporin in canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). OBJECTIVE: To determine if oral administration of PUFA reduces the dose of oclacitinib in cAD. ANIMALS: Twenty-two client-owned dogs with cAD receiving oclacitinib. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dogs received a fish oil product (PUFA) or paraffin oil (placebo) for 16 weeks. Owners adjusted the oclacitinib dose according to daily pruritus assessments. On Day (D)0, D56 and D112, Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, fourth iteration (CADESI-04), pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS), quality-of-life score (QoL), Global Assessment (GA), quality-of-coat (QoC) and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Mean daily oclacitinib dose was significantly reduced in the PUFA group from 0.51 ± 0.20 mg/kg/24 h (D0) to 0.19 ± 0.14 mg/kg/24 h (D85-112; p < 0.00001) and not in the placebo group (D0: 0.70 ± 0.33 mg/kg/24 h; D85-112: 0.53 ± 0.35 mg/kg/24 h, p = 0.5422). CADESI-04 did not change over time or differ between groups. PVAS was significantly lower in the PUFA group (2.8 ± 1.5) compared to placebo (4.2 ± 1.6) at D112 (p = 0.0375). QoL and QoC improved only in the PUFA group (QoL: D0: 20 ± 7, D112: 12 ± 5, p = 0.0057; QoC: D0: 0 ± 0.5, D112: 1 ± 0.5, p = 0.0410). GA on D112 was higher in the PUFA group (p = 0.008). No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Oral supplementation of PUFA allowed dose reduction of oclacitinib and improved PVAS, QoL, QoC and GA. The use of PUFA is recommended and was safe in the atopic study dogs receiving oclacitinib.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38465482/