Double-blinded Study Examining the Effects of Evening Primrose Oil on Feline Pruritic Dermatitis

Abstract— The object of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) liquid (Efamol Vet; Guildford, U.K.) to decrease the signs of feline pruritic skin disease. Cats were accepted into the study if their dermatologic signs were related to probable flea allergy and/or atopy, their signs did not abate with increased flea control alone and they were not on any concurrent anti-inflammatory drugs or supplements. They were initially placed on 4 weeks of intense flea control then randomly in a double-blinded manner placed on either 8 weeks of EPO liquid or olive oil (control). Pruritus, erythema, self-trauma, alopecia and overall dermatologic condition were monitored and scored at 4-week intervals for the entire 12 weeks of study. The mean of each parameter for each group (EPO or olive oil) was compared to itself over time and to the other group using an analysis of variance with repeated measures. No significant difference ( P ≪ 0.05) was noted over time or between groups for any of the five parameters.