An open‐label clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of an elemental diet for the diagnosis of adverse food reactions in dogs

Background The diagnosis of cutaneous adverse food reactions (CAFR) in dogs is dependent on a diet trial and provocative challenge. Hypothesis/Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of an elemental diet for the diagnosis of CAFR in dogs. Animals Sixty‐two client‐owned nonseasonally pruritic dogs. Materials and Methods A prospective, uncontrolled, observational elimination diet trial study. Dogs were fed a commercially available elemental canine diet (Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental Canine Formula, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company) for up to eight weeks. Pruritus was assessed using a validated Visual Analog Scale (PVAS), lesions with the Canine Atopic Dermatitis and Severity Index, 4th iteration (CADESI‐04) and gastrointestinal (GI) signs with a client questionnaire. All dogs were challenged with their previous diet for up to 14 days. Treats were added from Day (D)7 to D14. Results Forty‐five dogs completed the study. Eighteen (40%) of these were diagnosed with CAFR and 27 (60%) were diet‐nonresponsive (NR). Dogs with CAFR flared on provocative challenges within 14 days. The smallest volume of previous diet that induced a CAFR flare was one teaspoon in two dogs (11.1%). The mean number of days leading to a provocation of clinical signs was 4.88 days. Gastrointestinal signs improved in both groups. Eight of the dogs with CAFR (44.4%) were subsequently maintained on the elemental diet alone. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental Canine Formula is efficacious for the diagnosis of canine CAFR. One teaspoon of the offending diet may induce clinical signs in some dogs with CAFR. 摘要 背景 犬皮肤食物不良反应(CAFR)的诊断取决于日粮试验和激发试验 假设/目的 评估元素日粮对犬CAFR诊断的疗效。 动物 62只客户拥有的非季节性瘙痒患犬。 材料和方法 一项前瞻性、非对照、观察性日粮排除试验研究。给犬饲喂8周市售的元素犬粮(Pro‐Plan Veterinary Diets EL elemental canine Formula，NestléPurina PetCare Company，St Louis，MO，USA)。使用经验证的视觉模拟量表(PVAS)、犬特应性皮炎病变和严重程度指数4代(CADESI‐04)和胃肠道(GI)体征以及客户问卷对瘙痒进行评估。所有的犬都接受了长达14天的日粮激发试验。从第(D)7天至D14增加治疗。 结果 四十五只犬完成了研究。其中18例(40%)被诊断为CAFR，27例(60%)对日粮无反应(NR)。CAFR患犬接受激发试验后，在14天内发作。最小日粮量是一茶匙，即可导致两只犬的CAFR发作(11.1%)。导致临床症状发作的平均天数为4.88天。两组的胃肠道症状均有改善。随后，8只CAFR患犬(44.4%)只用元素日粮维持。 结论和临床相关性 Pro‐Plan兽用日粮EL元素犬配方对犬CAFR的诊断是有效的。一茶匙的激发日粮可能会在一些患有CAFR的犬身上引发临床症状。 Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die Diagnose einer kutanen Futtermittelnebenwirkung (CAFR) bei Hunden hängt von einem Futtermittelversuch und einer Provokation ab. Hypothese/Ziele Eine Evaluierung der Wirksamkeit einer elementaren Diät zur Diagnose einer CAFR bei Hunden. Tiere Zweiundsechzig n