Elisa Maina
Ghent University, Belgium
Title: The n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich oil intake may enhance the susceptibility to develop adverse food reactions in dogs
Biography
Biography: Elisa Maina
Abstract
The prevalence of adverse food reactions (AFR) in dogs is increasing; it is therefore important to explore novel causal pathways. Results of studies in human and mice have shown that increasing n-6 PUFA-rich oils in the diet enhances the risk to develop allergic diseases. The aims of this study were to investigate the association of AFR with vegetable oils n-6 PUFA-rich intake in dogs, with food preparations (homemade versus commercial diet or both) and with regular use of treats. Data on dietary intake of 204 privately owned dogs with skin disease were obtained from a food survey. The use of oil was recorded in 24 of 204 (11.8%) dogs included in the study, in 4 on 19 dogs with FA (21%), 2 on 10 (20%) with FA and DA, 5 on 35 (14.3%) with DA and 13 on 134 with other conditions (9.7%). The frequency of the oil consumption was significantly higher in dogs with AFR than in dogs with other diagnoses (P<0.05). Sixty-two of 204 dogs (30.1%) were fed homemade diet, 96 (47.1%) commercial diet and 46 (22.6%) both of them. No statistical difference was found between dogs that developed AFR and the others. Fourty-six dogs of 204 (25.6%) received regularly treats. The frequency of dogs with treats was significantly higher in dogs with AFR (37.9%) than in other diseases (20%; p<0.05). In conclusion, dietary vegetable oils rich in n-6 PUFA and the regular administration of treats may enhance the susceptibility to AFR in dogs.