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A double‐blinded, randomized, controlled, crossover evaluation of a zinc methionine supplement as an adjunctive treatment for canine atopic dermatitis
Author(s) -
McFadden Rendina A.,
Heinrich Nicole A.,
Haarstad Amy C.,
Tomlinson Dana J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
veterinary dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1365-3164
pISSN - 0959-4493
DOI - 10.1111/vde.12466
Subject(s) - medicine , ciclosporin , atopic dermatitis , crossover study , visual analogue scale , adjunctive treatment , tacrolimus , randomized controlled trial , calcineurin , gastroenterology , dermatology , surgery , pathology , chemotherapy , transplantation , alternative medicine , placebo
Background Zinc is important for skin health and proper immune system function. Hypothesis/Objectives A zinc methionine, essential fatty acids ( EFA ) and biotin product (Zn supplement) was compared to an EFA and biotin product (control) in canine atopic dermatitis ( CAD ). Animals Twenty seven client‐owned dogs with chronic CAD receiving ciclosporin or glucocorticoids. Methods A 24 week, randomized, double‐blinded, controlled study with crossover at week 12 and 4 week period of allergy medication reduction at weeks 8 and 20. Evaluations included Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index ( CADLI ), pruritus Visual Analog Scale ( VAS ) and cytology sampling. Results In dogs receiving the zinc supplement and ciclosporin for eight weeks, 44% ( n = 7) had significantly decreased CADLI from 11.9 to 6.0 ( P = 0.0002) with no significant change in pruritus VAS ( P = 1.0). In dogs receiving the zinc supplement and glucocorticoids for eight weeks, 55% ( n = 6) had significantly decreased CADLI from 10.9 to 5.0 ( P = 0.0043) and pruritus VAS from 7.4 to 3.2 ( P = 0.0166). For dogs receiving either steroids or ciclosporin there was a reduction in use of such medications, for at least four weeks, in 63% of dogs receiving the zinc supplement and 37% of dogs receiving the control. This difference was not significant ( P = 0.1027). Seventy eight percent of dogs were diagnosed and treated for superficial skin infections during the study. Conclusions and clinical importance This study supports a potential benefit of adjunctive zinc methionine supplementation in CAD . Dogs receiving glucocorticoids may be more likely to benefit. Further studies are needed to substantiate these initial results.