Effects of a Dietary Supplementation of Bovine Colostrum in Dogs With Atopic Dermatitis.

Abstract

Background: Bovine colostrum (BC) shows immunomodulatory properties, which could be beneficial in the management of chronic immune-mediated diseases such as canine atopic dermatitis (cAD).

Objective: To assess if a BC supplementation affects selected immune variables and clinical signs in cAD.

Animals: Twenty client-owned dogs with non-seasonal, environmentally induced cAD were enrolled in this prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.

Material and methods: After a 2-week adaptation to standardised feeding, the dogs were divided into two groups, receiving either a placebo or BC at 0.2% in dietary dry matter for 4 weeks. Afterwards, the dogs remained on their diets for another 4 weeks, without placebo and BC supplementation. Blood and faecal samples were collected on Day (D)14, D42 and D70 for immunological measurements (proliferative and phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes, faecal immunoglobulin [Ig]A, plasma concentrations of Igs, C-reactive protein [CRP] and serum amyloid A [SAA]). Additionally, the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, 4th iteration (CADESI-04) was assessed. The owners evaluated pruritus (Visual Analog Scale) of their dogs retrospectively and daily (r-/d-pVAS), as well as quality-of-life (QoL), global assessment and quality-of-coat.

Results: No significant diet effects were detected for the clinical and immunological parameters evaluated. A slight improvement in QoL could be observed in both feeding groups over time.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: An oral administration of BC did not alter relevant clinical and immune parameters in patients with cAD.