Importance of dietary therapy in treatment of dermatological reactions of food hypersensitivity in dogs

Abstract

This paper discusses the research findings on the impact of complete dry food based on protein hydrolysate (fish and chicken) on the body of dogs with chronic pathologies of the general integument (skin and coat). To conduct the experiment, 20 animals were selected with such clinical signs as: itching, self-induced or spontaneous alopecia, otitis media, pododermatitis, pyoderma, and decreased hair quality. Fourteen days before the start of dietary therapy, all medications used to control itching and pyoderma were discontinued, after which a strict elimination diet was started for a period of 12 weeks. During the diet, animals were also prohibited from taking vitamin-mineral complexes and supplements. In order to fully evaluate the effect of medicinal food on the animals’ bodies, an integrated methodological approach was used in the work - a full examination of dogs was carried out before the experiment, during and after the exclusion diet: a general clinical and biochemical blood test was performed with a study of trypsin-like immunoreactivity of the blood serum - for monitoring changes that occurred in the body during the diet; ultrasonographic examination of the abdominal region, biochemical, bacteriological analysis of feces, as well as fecal occult blood analysis - to study the digestibility of feed and its effect on the gastrointestinal system of the body; a complete dermatological examination with mandatory otoscopy, trichoscopy, cytological examination of fingerprint smears, scrapings and the contents of other skin lesions - to evaluate the effectiveness of medicinal food on the skin and fur of animals. At the same time, a thorough medical history was collected from the owners or curators of the animals at each appointment, and data on food intake, changes in the activity and weight of the dogs were also recorded.