Effects of dietary flax seed and sunflower seed supplementation on normal canine serum polyunsaturated fatty acids and skin and hair coat condition scores

This prospective study involved supplementing 18 normal dogs with flax seed (FLX) and sunflower seed (SUN) and evaluating their effects on skin and ha ir coat condition scores and serum polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) conce ntrations. Skin and hair coat were evaluated in a double-blinded fashion us ing a numeric scoring system and serum PUFA concentrations were determined. Our hypothesis was that changes in serum PUFA concentrations are associate d with improvements in skin and hair coat and that serum PUFA would provide an objective method for making dietary fatty acid supplement recommendatio ns. Although a numerical improvement was found in hair coat quality in both groups, this improvement was not sustained beyond 28 days. The relative pe r cent of 18:3n-3 concentrations in serum phospholipids increased in the FL X treated dogs but these concentrations remained unchanged in the SUN treat ed dogs. Also, elevations in relative per cent of 18:2n-6 concentrations in serum phospholipids were seen in the FLX group. The ratio of serum polyuns aturated to saturated fatty acids also showed a transient increase. These i ncreases preceded the peak skin condition score peak value by approximately 14 days. It was concluded that a 1-month supplementation with either flax seed or sunflower seed in dogs provides temporary improvement in skin and h air coat. These changes appeared to be associated with increased serum 18 c arbon PUFA.