ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (EFA'S) AND THEIR ROLE

Fats are made of smaller units called fatty acids. There are two major categories of fatty acids viz., saturated fatty acid and unsaturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids are synthesized by the animal in necessary quantities. Unsaturated fatty acids like linolenic (Omega 3 fatty acid), linoleic acid, (Omega 6 fatty acid) and oleic acid are essential fatty acids and have multiple functions in the body. There are constituents of cell membranes and precursors of arachidonic acid. It is well known that derivatives of arachidonic acids viz., prostaglandins, leukotrenes) exhibit diverse biological activities and have important functions in the maintenance of tissue homoestasis. Omega-3 fatty acids (linolenic acid) are involved in inhibiting inflammation, improving vision, decreasing the formation of clots in blood vessels, improving the learning ability of young animals, and stimulates immune system. Recent research has shown that both supplementation of diets with large amounts Omega-3 fatty acid alone is not necessarily beneficial to the animal. In fact, this may actually have some negative effects on the animal. What is important is the balance of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids. It has been demonstrated that to obtain healthy shiny hair coats and to manage inflammation due to skin allergies and irritation, a ratio of 5:1 to 10:1 (Omega 6 : Omega 3) is necessary. Very few preparations are available that maintain this documented ratio. One of the products available in the market is NUTRICOAT. Fatty acid deficiency is usually seen in animals fed dry rations or special diets of human diets. Oxidation of fats during storage is a real concern, since it becomes rancid and destroys not only the Essential Fatty Acids but also vitamins A,D, E and biotin. Animals may also develop fatty acid deficiency in association with intestinal malabsorption, pancreatic diseases and chronic hepatic disease. Fatty acid deficiency causes dry and lusterless hair, fine scaling, thickened skin, alopecia and later pruritus, acute moist dermatitis, and greasy skin and hair from excess sebaceous activity.

ROLE OF VITAMINS

Vitamin - A
Vitamin A has a function to maintain healthy skin and epithelial cells, so deficiency or toxicity signs (which are similar) are manifested cutaneously. Deficiency signs are hyperkeratinisation of epithelial surfaces, poor coat, alopecia, scaling of the skin, and increased susceptibility to bacterial infections. Maximum dosage of dogs and cats should not exceed 400 units per kg per day. Vitamin A orally for 10 days.

Vitamin - D3
Vitamin D3 will not play much role in skin related ailments. Cholecaciferol a precursors for Vitamin D3 is normally present in the one of the layer of skin which gets converted to Vitamin D3 in presence of ultraviolet rays present in sunrays. That is why it is advised to take sunbath, which delivers Vitamin-D3.

Vitamin - E
Vitamin - E, Selenium, and fatty acids have a balanced relatioship. Excess fat or a Vitamin-E deficiency results in a clinical seborrhiec syndrome in dogs that is suggestive of demodicosis (but without mites)

Biotin
Biotin belongs to B-complex group of vitamins. It is synthesized by intestinal microflora since it is water soluble and not stored, a constant supply is needed. Biotin can be inactivated by feeding raw eggs. The white portion of egg (albumin) contains a substance called avidin that binds to biotin rendering its unavailability to the body. Biotin deficiency also results from prolonged oral antibiotic therapy. The most striking sign of deficiency is a "spectacle eye" of alopecia around the eyes.

ROLE OF MINERALS

Zinc, copper and calcium are three minerals that influence each other, and abnormal levels of any one may be reflected in the skin.

Zinc
Zinc is a necessary component of enzymes, some of which are involved in development of skin. Dogs on high calcium or high cereal diets will have poor absorption of Zinc from the gut. Deficiency of Zinc leads to dull coat, ruffled coat, hyperpigmentation, alopecia, erythema and crusty lesions, poor wound healing etc.

Zinc Responsive Dermatosis
Two dermatological syndromes in dog that respond to zinc supplementation are:-

Syndrome I is a condition repeated generally in Doberman Pinschers and Great Danes. The lesions includes erythema followed by alopecia, crusting, scaling and underlying suppuration around the mouth, chin and ears. Thick crusts may appear on the elbows and other joints too. Dogs on high calcium or high cereal diets will have poor absorption of zinc.

Syndrome II occurs in rapidly growing puppies that often are over supplemented with minerals and vitamins. The skin lesions are hyperkeratotic plaques affected pup is depressed and anorexic. Therapy is usually successful, especially in syndrome II in which response in rapid.

Copper
Copper is also a necessary component of enzymes, some of them are involved in skin development. Deficiency results in hypopig-mentation and faulty keratinization of skin and hair follicles with hair becoming dull and rough.

Selenium
It is a vital component of enzyme Glutathione peroxidase which protects cell membrane against free radicals that are constantly produced in the cell. The antioxident system present in the cell contains Vitamin E, Glutathione peroxidse, that protect the cells from free radical damage, thereby helping in maintaining the integrity of the cell. The symptoms associated with deficiency of Selenium are similar to Vitamin-E deficiency

Epilepsy is one of the common neurological disorders encountered in pets. It is a functional disease of the brain characterized by recurrent convulsions usually of short duration and apparently similar to human beings.

"Idiopathic" epilepsy has been described in many species but probably is seen most often in dogs. Idiopathic epilepsy (Heriditary epilepsy) is a convulsive state without discoverable causative agent or definite underlying lesions. Practically, seizures are classified into 3 types: Primary, Secondary and status epilepticus. Status epilepticus is continuous seizures occurring in successions without any gap. Generally all dogs are susceptible to this disease but mainly see in German Shepherd, Labradors, Dachshund, Saint Bernard, Irish Setters, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, Poodles and Mastiff. No sex differentiation is present.

A typical seizure lasts for 1 to 2 minutes and consists of a staring appearance, falling on the side, froathing, running movements of the extremities and evacuation of bladder and bowel. After convulsion the animal may quickly regain its consciousness and act dazed and uncoordinated for the few minutes. Since the cause is unknown, treatment must be aimed at alleviating the clinical signs.

CONTROL AND TREATMENT OF SEIZURES

Status epileptics (continuous or cluster seizures) in dogs may be interrupted by diazepam given at 0.5 mg/kg (not to exceed 10 mg at one time )IV.

Recommended maintenance anticonvulsant therapy in dogs is Phenobarbital at 2-4 mg / kg orally every 8 - 12 hours as needed to control seizures or to maintain serum levels at 25-30 mg / ml, 2-4 hrs after medication. In addition, potassium bromide (KBr), 22 mg / kg once a day with food may be given to dogs if seizure continue or occur in clusters. KBr is safe and effective in dogs but is unavailable in a pharmaceutical form. KBr should be used cautiously in dogs suffering from kidney problems since it increases potassium levels of blood generally seen in kidney failure. It is proved to be more efficacious in seizures in dogs than other anti-convulsants.

POINTS TO PONDER...

• Cannot be cured permanently but controllable.
• Requires life long therapy.
• Dogs on medication take more food, drinks more water and sleeps more.
• Better to keep a record with regular check up.
• Chance of development of functional tolerance to the anti-convulsant drug (i.e. loss of efficacy of the drug despite of adequate serum concentration)
• Possibility of developing drug induced Hepatotoxicity (i.e. damanges the liver integrity