Effectiveness of Coconut Oil Administration on Immunoglobulin E (Ige) Levels in Dogs with Atopic Dermatitis

Fiorell C, Jayanti PD, Dwinata IM, Sudimartini LM and Suartha IN

Published on: 2024-05-16

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis is a common, chronic and complex skin inflammation involving a combination of genetic factors. Atopic dermatitis is associated with hypersensitivity mediated by IgE, an immunoglobulin that plays a role in allergic mechanisms to environmental allergens. Dogs with atopic dermatitis experience increased levels of IgE in the blood due to an allergic response that occurs in the body which is shown by clinical signs in the form of excessive itching that requires treatment. Treatment of atopic dermatitis is generally carried out with chemical therapy as a symptomatic treatment to reduce itching and skin lesions with pharmacological agents, but drug limitations, high side effects and relatively expensive prices can be the biggest obstacle in the implementation of chemical therapy. Coconut oil is one of the natural ingredients rich in anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, antioxidant, and moisturizing effects that are often used as an alternative symptomatic treatment. This study aims to determine the effect of coconut oil administration on reducing the IgE levels of dogs with atopic dermatitis through the administration of 5 ml of coconut oil orally in the feed every day once and topical application of coconut oil by massage method for 15 minutes every three days for 35 days. The results of the One-way ANOVA test stated that there was no significant difference in IgE levels before and after treatment (P> 0.05), which was characterized by fluctuations in the IgE levels of the five research dogs during treatment.