Med. Weter. 82 (5), 227-232, 2026
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| MARCIN SZCZEPANIK, JAGODA CISZEWSKA-CERAN, PIOTRWILKOŁEK, IZABELA WÓJCIK, NICOLA ADAMCZYK |
| Application of a black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) - based diet in the diagnosis and treatment of food allergy in dogs and cats – pilot study |
| Food allergy is among the more common problems found in dogs and cats. The disease is the cause of severe non-seasonal pruritus in these animals. The diagnosis is based on following a hypoallergenic diet for several weeks (from 2 to 8 weeks). The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of a novel protein-based diet based on insect (black soldier fly larvae) protein in the treatment of food allergy in dogs and cats. The diet was used in diagnosis and treatment of 10 dogs and 10 cats for 10 weeks with food allergy. The diagnosis was confirmed by a provocation trial using the previously fed food. The Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS; dogs and cats), Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI 04; dogs) and the Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD; cats) were used for efficacy evaluation. In dogs, a significant decrease was reported in both CADESI 04 (from 18.8 to 6.2, p = 0.037) after six weeks of treatment and PVAS (from 5.7 to 3.4, p = 0.007) after four weeks of treatment. In cats, both the PVAS (from 6.3 to 3.1, p = 0.004) after six weeks and SCORFAD (from 4.6 to 3, p = 0.029) after four weeks also decreased significantly. The evaluated diet was useful in the diagnosis and treatment of food allergy in dogs and cats. |
| Keywords: food allergy, dogs, cats, insects, black fly larvae |