Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is an inflammatory skin disorder characterized by pruritus and associated cutaneous changes. A dietary intervention using polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been shown to alleviate symptoms in some dogs.

It is proposed that dietary PUFA are integrated into mast cell membranes resulting in a reorganization of membrane microdomains. This may then be accompanied by functional changes of membrane-associated proteins such as the phospholipases D, enzymes having an important impact on mast cell exocytosis processes.

Source:  J. Schumann et al., 2014. Treating canine atopic dermatitis with unsaturated fatty acids: the role of mast cells and potential mechanisms of action. JAPAN online, March 2014. doi: 10.1111/jpn.12181.