✨ Skin & Coat

🔭 Scientific Evidence

YuMOVE Skin & Coat Care Itching is a distinct skin-targeted formula combining cold-pressed golden flaxseed oil (Omega-3 ALA), starflower/borage oil (GLA — Omega-6), fresh salmon oil and natural Vitamin E. The formula is based on published research by Professor John Bauer showing significant coat condition improvement with flaxseed supplementation in dogs, and RVC Professor David Lloyd's work demonstrating GLA from borage oil improves canine skin condition. The key clinical evidence is Mueller et al. (2004) — a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial of 29 atopic dogs in which both flax oil and an omega-3/6 commercial preparation significantly improved clinical scores versus placebo. The combination of ALA (flaxseed), GLA (starflower) and EPA/DHA (salmon oil) targets multiple pathways of skin inflammation simultaneously. No product-specific published trial exists for this exact formula, but the ingredient evidence is directly applicable. UK's No.1 veterinary skin supplement brand.

📚 Research References

• Mueller RS et al. (2004) — Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial, 29 atopic dogs, flax oil and omega-3/6 commercial preparation vs placebo. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 45(6):293-297
• Bauer JE — Flaxseed oil supplementation studies showing significant coat condition improvement in dogs (cited by Lintbells as basis for formula development)
• Bond R & Lloyd DH (1992) — Randomised single-blind comparison of evening primrose oil and fish oil combination in canine atopy. Veterinary Dermatology, 3:215-219

🔭 Scientific Evidence

Vetzyme Dry Skin Tablets combine GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) from evening primrose oil with an essential B-complex vitamin blend — a distinct formulation targeting both the fatty acid deficiency and the vitamin co-factor pathways simultaneously. GLA is the specific omega-6 fatty acid implicated in canine atopic dermatitis; atopic dogs are believed to have impaired delta-6-desaturase enzyme activity that prevents normal conversion of linoleic acid to GLA. Supplementing GLA directly helps restore anti-inflammatory dihomo-GLA levels in the skin. The B-vitamins (including B2, B5, B6 and biotin) are essential co-factors for healthy skin cell metabolism, keratinisation and coat condition. The underlying GLA evidence is Scarff & Lloyd (1992) — a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 35 atopic dogs showing significant treatment effect on erythema. No product-specific published trial exists for this exact formulation. The tablet format with chicken flavour is particularly practical — dogs accept it as a treat, unlike oil supplements that must be added to food. Well-established UK veterinary brand.

📚 Research References

• Scarff DH & Lloyd DH (1992) — Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of evening primrose oil (GLA source) in 35 atopic dogs. Significant effect on erythema (P<0.05). Veterinary Record, 131(5):97-99
• B-complex vitamins — essential co-factors for skin cell metabolism and keratinisation; deficiency causes dermatitis, hair loss and coat deterioration in dogs (established veterinary dermatology consensus)
• Vetzyme — established UK veterinary supplement brand with long-standing vet recommendation history

🔭 Scientific Evidence

Dorwest Evening Primrose Oil provides a high concentration of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) at 10% per 500mg capsule — the specific omega-6 fatty acid implicated in canine atopic dermatitis. The key clinical evidence is Scarff & Lloyd (1992) — a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 35 dogs with non-seasonal atopic dermatitis, published in Veterinary Record. Dogs receiving evening primrose oil showed a statistically significant treatment effect on erythema (P<0.05), with significant changes in plasma phospholipid fatty acid levels confirming biological activity. The proposed mechanism is that atopic dogs have impaired delta-6-desaturase enzyme activity, preventing conversion of linoleic acid to GLA. Supplementing GLA directly bypasses this defect, supplying anti-inflammatory dihomo-GLA which competes with arachidonic acid and reduces inflammatory eicosanoid production. This is a distinctly different mechanism from omega-3 fish oil supplements. Dorwest is a well-established UK veterinary herbal brand with over 70 years of experience. Contains highest available levels of GLA. Suitable for pregnant and lactating females.

📚 Research References

• Scarff DH & Lloyd DH (1992) — Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of evening primrose oil in 35 dogs with non-seasonal atopic dermatitis. Significant effect on erythema (P<0.05). Veterinary Record, 131(5):97-99 (PubMed 1523801)
• Bond R & Lloyd DH (1992) — Double-blind comparison of olive oil vs evening primrose oil and fish oil combination in canine atopy. Dogs on EPO/fish oil combination maintained; majority of dogs switched to placebo deteriorated. Veterinary Record, 131(24):558-560
• Bond R & Lloyd DH (1993) — Double-blind comparison of three concentrated EFA supplements in canine atopy, 16 weeks. Veterinary Dermatology, 4(4):185-189

🔭 Scientific Evidence

Exmarid Dry Skin Formula is a dedicated oral skin supplement based on starflower (borage) oil — one of the richest natural sources of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), containing 2-3 times more GLA than evening primrose oil. The key canine clinical evidence is Müller et al. (1999) — a blinded, placebo-controlled study of 21 atopic dogs given borage seed oil and fish oil in combination versus olive oil placebo over 8 weeks. Dogs in the treatment groups showed statistically significant reductions in erythema, self-excoriation and total clinical scores (P<0.05); the placebo group showed no significant improvement. GLA works by bypassing a defective delta-6-desaturase enzyme in atopic dogs, directly supplying anti-inflammatory dihomo-GLA which competes with arachidonic acid and reduces inflammatory eicosanoid production in the skin. Results are variable between individuals and a larger multicentre trial did not reach statistical significance for steroid-sparing, suggesting this is not a universal treatment. Most effective for dogs with early-stage or mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis. Distinct from salmon oil supplements as it targets the omega-6 GLA pathway rather than omega-3 EPA/DHA.

📚 Research References

• Müller RS et al. (1999) — Blinded, placebo-controlled study, 21 atopic dogs, borage seed oil + fish oil vs placebo, 8 weeks. Significant reduction in erythema, self-excoriation and total scores. Veterinary Record, 144(18):493-494 (PubMed 10331227)
• Sævik BK et al. (2004) — Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled multicentre trial, 60 atopic dogs, borage + fish oil combination, 12 weeks. Steroid-sparing trend but not statistically significant overall. Veterinary Dermatology, 15(3):137-145
• Foster RH et al. (2010) — Review of 12 clinical trials of borage oil in atopic dermatitis. Results variable; may be useful in less severe cases. Nutrition, 26(7-8):708-18