FAQs on Small Animal Pruritus

Pruritus in dogs and cats is an everyday challenge to veterinarians. Greasy haircoats, flaky skin, skin damage and sever hair loss are some of the physical signs of pruritus and may be caused by the animal's diet (low dietary fat content, essential fatty acid deficiency), environment (eg. low humidity, heat) or allergies (inhaled, ingested, contact, or parasite allergens).

Why the Skin?
The skin is the first organ to manifest signs of poor nutrition and deficiencies. Even though skin needs a large percentage of daily nutrients to thrive, the vital organs such as the heart, liver, lungs, etc, are preferentially supplied by essential nutrients, leaving the skin as the last organ to receive them when they are in short supply. When inadequate nutrition or allergies lead to pruritus, supplementing the diet with essential fatty acids (EFA), can help control pruritus and reduce the amount and duration of medical treatment required.

What is the role of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA)?
EFA are beneficial to dogs and cats in four principal ways.

They provide the source of:

	1.	Energy
	2.	Substances needed to maintain epidermal barrier
	3.	Necessary material for synthesis, reproduction, and growth of cell structures
	4.	Biologically active substances, termed "eicosanoids," that regulate certain biological processes, such as blood clotting and inflammation.

Why are essential FA's critical to a small animal's diet?
Because essential fatty acids are not synthesized by the body, they must be ingested daily from either the regular diet, or a supplement to meet an animal's nutritional needs.

For dogs and cats:

	1.	Essential fatty acids should constitute 1% of the daily diet, or 2% of caloric intake.
	2.	Require daily intake of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, which initiate the omega-6 and omega-3 cascades, respectively.

Cats also require daily intake of arachidonic acid because, unlike dogs, they apparently do not convert linoleic acid into Arachidonic Acid

What are the benefits of fatty acid supplementation?
"Clinically beneficial to approximately 30% of pruritic dogs and cats"
"Benefits of fatty acid usually evident within 4 to 8 weeks after treatment begins"

Directions for use:
Pet-F.A. Liquid should be mixed with or poured over food. Quantity should be adjusted according to the size of the pet.

Dogs and Cats - Administer once daily according to the following schedule:

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