Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hardy kiwi supplement tested for itching and skin scores in dogs
By Marsella, Rosanna et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2010·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of EFF1001, an Actinidia arguta (hardy kiwi) preparation, on CADESI score and pruritus in dogs with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with mild to moderate skin allergies (atopic dermatitis) were given a treatment made from hardy kiwi (EFF1001) to see if it could help reduce itching and improve skin condition. Initially, the dogs received a common steroid medication for two weeks, followed by either the kiwi treatment or a placebo for four weeks. While there wasn't a big difference in skin scores between the two groups, the dogs receiving the kiwi treatment showed a notable decrease in itching. After an additional four weeks on the kiwi treatment, many dogs continued to improve, suggesting that EFF1001 could be a helpful option for managing skin allergies in dogs.
People also search for: dog itching treatment · atopic dermatitis in dogs · kiwi for dog skin allergies
Abstract
Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is common and new therapies are beneficial. This multicentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study tested the efficacy of Actinidia arguta (hardy kiwi) (EFF1001) in dogs with mild/moderate AD. The study was divided into two stages. Stage 1 lasted 6 weeks. In the first 2 weeks prednisolone [days 1-3: 0.2 mg/kg twice daily (BID), days 4-14: 0.2 mg/kg every other day (EOD)] was administered. Responsive dogs were placed on prednisolone 0.2 mg/kg EOD + assigned test article [either placebo or EFF1001 (30 mg/kg)] once daily for 4 weeks. Stage 1 responders were advanced to stage 2, which involved 4 weeks of just EFF1001. Clinicians scored lesions using Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI) and owners scored pruritus using a Pruritus Visual Analogue Scale. Seventy-seven dogs were enrolled, 76 were randomized on day 14, and 57 (57/76 = 75%) completed stage 1 (27 in EFF1001 and 30 in placebo). At the end of stage 1, 35 of 57 dogs (35/57 = 61%) responded (18 in EFF1001 and 17 in placebo) and advanced to stage 2. At completion of stage 1, CADESI scores did not significantly differ between groups while pruritus decreased in EFF1001 group and approached significance. At completion of stage 2, 19 dogs (19/35 = 54%) responded (15/19 = 79% had received EFF1001 and 4/19 = 21% placebo in stage 1). After completing stage 2, dogs placed on EFF1001 throughout the study were 3.5 times more likely to either maintain or improve scores than those that started it in stage 2. It is concluded that EFF1001 is beneficial adjunctive therapy after prolonged use.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19843302/