Impact of Nutritional Supplementation on Canine Dermatological Disorders

Rescue and rehabilitation of maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) in Paraguay: Case description

The maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus, is the largest South American canid, with a natural distribution that stretches across Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. The present study reports the case of a rescued specimen of maned wolf that underwent a rehabilitation process in Paraguay, starting in October 2020 with its rescue, and finalising in May 2021 with the reintroduction. Herein, we document findings regarding the general management, biometrics, feeding and environmental enrichment; chemical immobilisation and monitoring; haematology, blood biochemistry and specific serology-relevant pathogens; skin examination and bone marrow cytology; orthopaedic, ophthalmological and dental evaluation; abdominal and cardiac ultrasonography; radiology and copro-parasitology. Main findings include the feeding habits of the individual and enrichment opportunities. The animal weighed 7 kg on arrival, with an estimated age of 5 months, and 18 kg on reintroduction, with an estimated age of 1 year. The animal tested negative to serologic tests for Brucella canis, Dirofilaria, canine distemper, Toxoplasmosis and canine parvovirus. Leptospira testing showed antibodies against L. grippotyphosa on both samplings, L. wolffi and L. ictero on the first sampling, and L. pomona on the second sampling. Abdominal organs were examined and measured through ultrasound evaluation and kidneys showed no alterations. Echocardiography showed preserved mitral, tricuspid and aortic valve flows, but turbulent pulmonary valve flow. Copro-parasitology reported the presence of Lagochilascaris sp. and Balantidium sp. All the information gathered aided in diagnosing the health status of the individual, and the response to environmental enrichment helped assess the behaviour, which led to the suggestion of reintroducing the animal. These data constitute the first published health check of a maned wolf in Paraguay, which can contribute to the species' conservation in the country. The protocol presented in this study can serve as a basis for developing an action plan for the maned wolf in Paraguay.

Canine Atopic Dermatitis: Prevalence, Impact, and Management Strategies

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory and pruritic allergic skin disease in humans and dogs worldwide. The pathogenesis of AD is multifactorial, immunologically complex, and may involve genetic factors, epidermal barrier dysfunction, microbiome changes, immune dysregulation, and allergic sensitization. Across species, prevalence of AD is on the rise. At present, there is no cure for canine AD (CAD). The treatment for CAD is multifaceted and aimed at controlling the pruritus, associated inflammation, and infections, repairing the skin barrier function, and dietary management. This review presents data on prevalence, impact, and complex immunological interactions in AD with a focus on subsequent management of the disease in the canine population. A multimodal approach for management of CAD to address varying clinical signs and responses to therapies is discussed.

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Impact of a Novel Probiotic and Nutraceutical Supplement on Pruritic Dermatitis and the Gut Microbiota in Privately Owned Dogs

Pruritic dermatitis (PD) is a common presentation of canine allergic skin diseases, with diversity in severity and treatment response due to complex etiopathogenesis. Evidence suggests the gut microbiota (GM) may contribute to the development of canine allergies. A 10-week double-blind randomized controlled trial evaluated a novel probiotic and nutraceutical blend (PNB) on clinical signs of skin allergy, health measures, and the GM of privately owned self-reported pruritic dogs. A total of 105 dogs were enrolled, with 62 included in pruritus and health analysis and 50 in microbiome analysis. The PNB supported greater improvement of owner-assessed clinical signs of PD at week 2 than the placebo (PBO). More dogs that received the PNB shifted to normal pruritus (digital PVAS10-N: <2) by week 4, compared to week 7 for the PBO. While a placebo effect was identified, clinical differences were supported by changes in the GM. The PNB enriched three probiotic bacteria and reduced abundances of species associated with negative effects. The PBO group demonstrated increased abundances of pathogenic species and reduced abundances of several beneficial species. This trial supports the potential of the PNB as a supplemental intervention in the treatment of PD; however, further investigation is warranted, with stricter diagnostic criteria, disease biomarkers and direct veterinary examination.

The feline skin microbiome: interrelationship between health and disease

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE

As with other species, the skin microbiome of cats has been assessed over the past few years utilizing modern technologies. This has resulted in the identification of many more bacterial and fungal organisms compared with what had been recorded historically on the skin in various states of health and disease using culture-based studies. This information is expanding the knowledge of how microbial communities are impacted by various changes in the skin health of cats. More specifically, how these microbial communities change in the face of health and disease, and how various therapeutic interventions affect the cutaneous microbiome, lends a greater understanding of disease pathogenesis and provides a growing area of research for correcting dysbiosis and improving feline skin health.

EVIDENCE BASE

Most studies on the feline skin microbiome thus far have been descriptive in nature. These provide a framework for the next level of investigations on how various states of health and disease impact the products produced by the cutaneous microbiome (ie, the cutaneous metabolome), as well as how targeted interventions may promote the restoration of balance.

AIMS

This review aims to summarize what is currently known about the feline cutaneous microbiome and its clinical implications. The role of the skin microbiome in health and disease, the current state of research in this area and the potential for future studies to produce targeted interventions for cats are a particular focus.

Snail Mucus Filtrate Reduces Inflammation in Canine Progenitor Epidermal Keratinocytes (CPEK)

Simple Summary

Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by inflammatory and allergic manifestations. Recent studies have demonstrated that cAD has many common characteristics with human AD and this assertion is derived from the assumption that domestic dogs share the environment with their owners. Several therapeutic approaches can be used in the management of cAD; in our research, we used the mucus secreted by Helix aspersa Muller. To clarify the development of cAD, we employed cell lines of canine epidermal keratinocytes (CPEK). Our results highlight the anti-inflammatory capacity of mucus in reducing the inflammatory process produced during cAD.

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory and allergic disease, whose multifactorial etiopathogenesis is the consequence of the link between the genetic, immunological and environmental components. The complexity and difficulty in understanding the causes that trigger or exacerbate this pathology makes it difficult, once diagnosed, to proceed with a targeted and effective therapeutic process. Today, the new frontiers of research look to natural and innovative treatments to counteract the different manifestations of dermatitis. From this point of view, the mucus secreted by Helix aspersa Muller has proven, since ancient times, to be able to neutralize skin diseases. To study canine atopic dermatitis (cAD), we used cell lines of canine epidermal keratinocytes (CPEK) that are optimal to understand the biological reactivity of keratinocytes in vitro. The data obtained from our study demonstrate the anti-inflammatory capacity of snail secretion filtrate (SSF) in counteracting the production of proinflammatory cytokines produced during cAD, highlighting the opportunities for further studies to be able to identify new, natural and safe treatments for cAD and to open new frontiers for veterinarians and owners.

A novel therapeutic diet can significantly reduce the medication score and pruritus of dogs with atopic dermatitis during a nine month controlled study

Background

Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a common chronic relapsing pruritic skin disease for which management commonly relies on life‐long use of immunomodulatory drugs. A number of the medications used are associated with adverse effects and the potential for complications during long‐term use.

Hypothesis

The goal of the study was to determine if a complete and balanced diet formulated for therapeutic benefit could contribute towards management of cAD. We hypothesised that the diet would reduce pruritus while also reducing the requirement for medication during the study period.

Animals, materials and methods

Forty privately owned dogs, having undergone a comprehensive diagnosis for cAD, were randomly allocated to two groups, each group being fed one of two diets (test or control) for up to nine months. We assessed pruritus, Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index‐(4th iteration) and medication score, the latter reflecting the medication required to maintain a satisfactory quality of life for the animal.

Results

Both diets were well‐accepted and ‐tolerated. There was a significant improvement in the pruritus score after three months of feeding the therapeutic diet (P = 0.0001). No such improvement was observed at any time point in the group of dogs given the control diet. There was a reduced drug requirement for dogs receiving the therapeutic diet after three months (P = 0.058), and that decrease was significant at six months (P = 0.021) and nine months (P = 0.018). No improvement was seen at any time point in the control group.

Conclusion

The results suggest that a novel therapeutic diet can assist in the management of cAD by helping to control pruritus and reducing reliance on medication.

Roles of plant-based ingredients and phytonutrients in canine nutrition and health

Dogs possess the ability to obtain essential nutrients, established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), from both animal‐ and plant‐based ingredients. There has been a recent increase in the popularity of diets that limit or completely exclude certain plant‐based ingredients. Examples of these diets include ‘ancestral’ or ‘evolutionary’ diets, raw meat‐based diets and grain‐free diets. As compared to animal sources, plant‐derived ingredients (including vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds) provide many non‐essential phytonutrients with some data suggesting they confer health benefits. This review aims to assess the strength of current evidence on the relationship between the consumption of plant‐based foods and phytonutrients (such as plant‐derived carotenoids, polyphenols and phytosterols) and biomarkers of health and diseases (such as body weight/condition, gastrointestinal health, immune health, cardiovascular health, visual function and cognitive function) from clinical trials and epidemiological studies. This review highlights the potential nutritional and health benefits of including plant‐based ingredients as a part of balanced canine diets. We also highlight current research gaps in existing studies and provide future research directions to inform the impact of incorporating plant‐based ingredients in commercial or home‐prepared diets.

Polyphenols and Cannabidiol Modulate Transcriptional Regulation of Th1/Th2 Inflammatory Genes Related to Canine Atopic Dermatitis

Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial allergic disease associated with immune and abnormal skin barrier dysfunction and it is one of the primary causes of pruritus. Using a novel in vitro model of AD, here we tried to revert the alteration of transcriptional regulation of AD canine key genes testing a nutraceutical mixture containing flavonoids, stilbene, and cannabinoids, which are already well-known for their applications within dermatology diseases. The nutraceutical mixture induced in inflamed cells a significant downregulation (p < 0.05) of the gene expression of ccl2, ccl17, and tslp in keratinocytes and of ccl2, ccl17, and il31ra in monocytes. Consistent with the observed alterations of tslp, ccl2, ccl17, and il31ra messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, a significant increase (p < 0.05) of DNA methylation at specific CpG sites on the gene regulatory regions was found. These results lay the foundation for the use of these natural bioactives in veterinary medicine and provide a model for deeper understanding of their mechanisms of action, with potential translation to human research.

Current Applications and Future Perspectives of Fluorescence Light Energy Biomodulation in Veterinary Medicine

The purpose of this review is to determine the state of the art of the mode of action and potential applications of fluorescence photobiomodulation in veterinary medicine. After a summary of the assets that have led the translation of such light-based therapies from bench side into clinical use, recent advances in canine dermatology using this brand-new approach are presented, and future scenarios where this type of care may provide benefits over the current standard care are highlighted.