Efficacy of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: A randomized controlled...

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease driven by immune dysregulation. Recent studies suggest a connection between the gut microbiome and skin health, highlighting the potential for probiotics to manage dermatological conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG in reducing skin lesion severity and pruritus in dogs with mild to moderate CAD. Forty dogs were randomly divided into two groups: one receiving L. rhamnosus GG (1 × 109 CFU/day) and the other a placebo for 90 days. All dogs maintained their standard oclacitinib therapy. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the CADESI-04 scale and a pruritus visual analogue scale (pVAS) at days 0, 45, and 90. Significant reductions in CADESI-04 scores were observed in the probiotic group compared to the placebo (p < 0.01), while pVAS scores improved only in the probiotic group. No adverse effects were reported. These findings support the potential of L. rhamnosus GG to enhance treatment outcomes in dogs with atopic dermatitis.