Authors : Giorgia Meineri, Valentina Zunino, Francesco Ingravalle, Luisa Cornegliani and Antonella Vercelli
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a diet containing Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (n-3 PUFAs) supplemented with the Arctium lappa (AL) plant (Fito Progres® ADULT Sensitive, Blaufelden Wiesenbach, Germany) on Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD). Twenty atopic dogs were fed a specifically prepared diet for 90 days and were then returned to their usual diet for another 90 days. A physiological and complete dermatological examination was conducted every 30 days. The examination of the dogs’ skin included an assessment of the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pruritus based on owner-derived data. The results show a significant reduction (p<0.01) in the total CADESI score for the 1st 90 days of the trial (V90) compared to day 0 (V0; selection visit) and the same trend is also evident during the following 90 days. Therefore, the positive effect of the feed persisted for 90 days after the studied diet was suspended. Furthermore, the research shows a highly significant reduction (p<0.01) in pruritus during the period the dogs received the studied diet compared to V0 while the pruritus increased significantly in the second period of the trial (p<0.05) compared to V90. The number of dogs with pruritus decreased after 90 days of feeding with the formulated diet while it increased after the studied diet was suspended. The results of this study suggest that the studied diet could be a powerful tool in the management of CAD.
Giorgia Meineri, Valentina Zunino, Francesco Ingravalle, Luisa Cornegliani and Antonella Vercelli, 2012. Therapeutic Efficacy of a Nutritional Combination of N-3 PUFAS and Arctium lappa Extract on Canine Atopic Dermatitis. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 2075-2080.