Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Probiotic Enterococcus faecium SF68 helps reduce allergy medicine
By Yamazaki, C et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2019·Animal Dermatology Clinic, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Pilot evaluation of Enterococcus faecium SF68 as adjunctive therapy for oclacitinib-responsive adult atopic dermatitis in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with environmental allergies and itchy skin were given a probiotic supplement (Enterococcus faecium SF68) alongside their regular medication (oclacitinib, also known as Apoquel) to see if it could help reduce the medication dose while still controlling their symptoms. After 12 weeks, the dogs receiving the probiotic did not show any significant improvement compared to those on a placebo, meaning the probiotic didn't help reduce the need for their allergy medication. The study suggests that more research is needed to find the best way to use probiotics for managing itchy skin in dogs.
People also search for: dog itchy skin treatment · probiotic for dog allergies · oclacitinib dosage for dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the adjunctive effect of supplementation with Enterococcus faecium SF68 (FortiFlora; Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets) on oclacitinib (Apoquel, Zoetis) dose reduction, while maintaining or reducing the Pruritus Visual Analog Score and Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index values in client-owned adult dogs with environmental atopic dermatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Enrolled dogs had exhibited control of atopic dermatitis on oclacitinib for at least 6 months before, and continuing throughout, the study. Dogs with non-seasonal pruritus were blindly randomised to receive either SF68 (1×10colony forming units/g orally twice daily) or placebo for 12 weeks. After 8 weeks of supplementation, oclacitinib dose was decreased by approximately 25%, aiming to maintain and reduce the clinical disease scores. RESULTS: Supplementation with SF68 was associated with no difference in oclacitinib dose reduction versus placebo in 21 client-owned dogs with atopic dermatitis. Clinical disease scores were not different between groups at study completion. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Further larger-scale studies are warranted to investigate optimal strain(s), dosing and duration of probiotic supplementation as an adjunctive strategy in management of canine atopic dermatitis.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31257599/