Introducing a shortened elimination diet for dogs

The elimination diet is an important part of the diagnosis of feed -induced atopic dermatitis (FIAD) in dogs. Traditionally, such a diet attempt takes eight weeks, which is a challenge for many animal owners. A shorter alternative could make the process easier without affecting the accuracy. A recent study shows that the use of prednisolone or Oclacitinib at the beginning of the diet can be shortened.

shortened elimination diet in dogs
Shortened elimination diet in dogs 2

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Understandable for pet owners: What is an elimination diet?

An elimination diet helps determine whether a dog is allergic to certain foods. This means that the dog is only fed a special food for a set period of time, which consists of either hydrolyzed proteins (highly broken down proteins that the immune system does not recognize) or a single protein source that the dog has never eaten before.

Why is this important?

Many skin problems in dogs can be caused by food allergies. An elimination diet is used to test whether this allergy is the trigger. If the original food is given again after the diet and the symptoms recur, it is most likely a food allergy.

What do pet owners have to consider?

  • Strict diet: No treats, table scraps or spiced medications.
  • Patience: Such a diet usually lasts several weeks.
  • Cooperation with the veterinarian : The right food and the correct implementation are crucial.

Research on shortened elimination diets in dogs

In a study by Fischer et al. (2021) examined whether a shorter elimination diet is possible if prednisolone or oclacitinib is given initially. A total of 58 dogs participated and were fed a special diet containing hydrolyzed or single proteins.

The results:

  • Prednisolone group (39 dogs):
    • 21 dogs were diagnosed as food allergic.
    • Fourteen dogs had no relapses after stopping prednisolone.
    • 6 dogs had one relapse and one had two relapses.
  • Oclacitinib group (19 dogs):
    • 11 dogs were diagnosed as food allergic.
    • 7 dogs had no relapses after weaning, 4 dogs had two relapses.

The sensitivity of the protocol was 95% for prednisolone and 63% for oclacitinib, with specificity of 100% for both drugs.


Results and practical tips - Shortened elimination diet for dogs

  • Shortened diet possible: An elimination diet can be shortened by treating symptoms in the first 2-3 weeks, e.g. B. with prednisolone.
  • Strict Diet: No treats, table scraps, or flavored medications are allowed during the elimination diet.
  • Food testing remains the gold standard: blood allergy tests are unreliable and not recommended.

Example: Shortened elimination diet for Max, the Labrador

Max, a three-year-old Labrador, has been having problems with severe itching and red skin for months. His veterinarian suspects a food allergy and suggests a shortened elimination diet supported by the use of prednisolone.

Step 1: Preparation and start of the diet

  • Max is given a special diet containing a single protein source that he has never eaten before (e.g. rabbit or insect protein). Alternatively, a hydrolyzed feed could be used.
  • Important: No treats, table scraps or flavored medications should be given during the diet.

Additionally, Max will receive prednisolone for the first 2 to 3 weeks to relieve his itching. This medication helps control symptoms quickly so that the diet is easier to maintain and the skin has time to recover.


Step 2: Discontinue the medication

After the initial treatment period, prednisolone is discontinued. Max continues to stay on his diet food only.

In this phase, which lasts about 2 weeks , it is observed whether the itching returns:

  • If Max remains symptom-free, that suggests there is no trigger in the food.
  • If symptoms recur, an additional week of prednisolone may be necessary.

Step 3: Food Provocation

After the medication and observation phase, Max will be fed his original food again.

  • If the itching returns , it is a clear indication that Max is allergic to one of the ingredients in the original food.
  • If Max remains symptom-free , it is most likely not a food allergy.

The result at Max

In Max's case, it turned out that his itching returned strongly after the food challenge. The vet diagnosed a food allergy and recommended feeding Max the diet he tolerated well during testing.


Important information for pet owners on the topic of shortened elimination diets for dogs

  • Patience pays off: Even with a shortened diet, discipline is required to achieve clear results.
  • Individual adjustment: The exact duration of the phases and the choice of food should be discussed veterinarian
  • No rapid tests: Blood tests or other rapid methods for diagnosing food allergies are not reliable and can distort the results.

With this method, the elimination diet can provide clarity in a shorter period of time and is therefore easier to implement for many pet owners.

Here is a clear table showing the dosage of prednisolone for dogs of different weight categories. It contains the recommended maximum starting dose and how the medication can be gradually discontinued:

Prednisolone dosage for dogs

Prednisolone dosage for dogs

Weight of the dog (kg)Maximum daily dose (mg/kg)Total dose per day (mg)Duration of full dosageReduction in week 1Reduction in week 2Weaning in week 3
5kg0.5 – 1.0 mg/kg2.5 – 5 mg7 days50% of the full dose25% of the full doseSettle
10kg0.5 – 1.0 mg/kg5-10 mg7 days50% of the full dose25% of the full doseSettle
20kg0.5 – 1.0 mg/kg10 – 20 mg7 days50% of the full dose25% of the full doseSettle
30kg0.5 – 1.0 mg/kg15 – 30 mg7 days50% of the full dose25% of the full doseSettle
40kg0.5 – 1.0 mg/kg20 - 40 mg7 days50% of the full dose25% of the full doseSettle

Explanation of the table - shortened elimination diet in dogs:

  1. Maximum daily dose (mg/kg): The recommended dosage is 0.5 - 1.0 mg per kilogram of body weight , depending on the severity of the symptoms.
  2. Total dose per day (mg): This corresponds to the amount of prednisolone that the dog needs every day.
  3. Duration of the full dosage: As a rule, the maximum dosage is for 7 days .
  4. Reduction in week 1: After a week, the dose is halved (50 % of the original dose).
  5. Reduction in week 2: In the second week, the dose is reduced to 25 % of the original quantity.
  6. Discontinuation in week 3: In the third week, prednisolone is completely discontinued if there are no relapses.

Example of a dog with 10 kg:

  • Start: 7 days 10 mg daily (e.g. 5 mg in the morning, 5 mg in the evening).
  • Week 1: 5 mg daily (2.5 mg in the morning, 2.5 mg in the evening).
  • Week 2: 2.5 mg daily (only in the morning).
  • Week 3: No more prednisolone.

Important instructions:

  • Vet the veterinarian: The exact doses and setting should be discussed individually with the veterinarian.
  • Side effects: Long -term or too high doses can cause side effects such as increased thirst, hunger or weight gain.
  • Slow discontinuation: A abrupt discontinuation of prednisolone can be dangerous and should be avoided.

With this table you have a helpful orientation to better understand the prednisolone dosage.

Here are 5 detailed FAQs about prednisolone and the shortened elimination diet for dogs:

What is prednisolone and why is it used in an elimination diet?

Prednisolone is an anti -inflammatory drug from the group of corticosteroids, which is often used in veterinary medicine. It works by suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammatory reactions in the body. For dogs with skin problems or itching, which may be caused by feed allergy, prednisolone can help to alleviate the symptoms quickly.
In an elimination diet, prednisolone is used at the beginning to relieve the dog of severe itching and inflammation. This makes the dog's quality of life easier and the feasibility of the diet for the owners. At the same time, it enables the symptoms to be checked quickly, so that in the event of a relapse (after the medication is stopped and reintroducing the original feed), it can be seen more clearly whether the problem is due to feed.
However, Prednisolon must be carefully and always used under veterinary supervision, since insufficient use can cause side effects such as increased thirst, increased urination or weight gain.

How long does an elimination diet with prednisolone take, and how is the medication off?

The duration of the elimination diet is usually about 4 to 6 weeks, but can be shortened by the use of prednisolone. The drug is administered in the first 2 to 3 weeks of the diet to control acute symptoms such as itching. After this phase, the prednisolone is gradually reduced:
week 1: The full dose is administered.
Week 2: The dose is reduced by 50 %.
Week 3: The dose is reduced to 25 % or only given every other day.
Week 4: The drug is completely discontinued.
After stopping, an observation phase follows without medication, during which the dog only receives the hypoallergenic diet. If symptoms no longer occur after the medication break, the original feed is reintroduced to test whether it was the cause of the symptoms.

What side effects can prednisolone have in dogs and how can they be minimized?

Like any medication, prednisolone can have side effects, especially with longer or high -dosed use. The most common side effects include:
increased thirst and increased urination.
Increased appetite and weight gain.
Muscle reduction and weakness in long -term use.
Suppression of the immune system, which increases the risk of infection.
Changes in behavior such as unrest or increased nervousness.
How can you minimize these side effects?
Short -term application: Prednisolone should only be administered for the absolutely necessary duration, usually 2 to 3 weeks.
Slow stop: A abrupt stop can lead to "withdrawal" and should be avoided. Instead, the dose is gradually reduced.
Veterinary monitoring: Regular checks by the vet are important to adapt the dosage and identify side effects at an early stage.
Sufficient water supply: Make sure that the dog always has access to fresh water to compensate for the increased thirst.

Why is an elimination diet of the gold standard for diagnosing feed allergies, and why are blood tests unreliable?

An elimination diet is the only way to determine whether a dog suffers from a feed allergy. It works by removing potential allergens from nutrition and replacing a hypoallergenic or new protein. As soon as the dog's symptoms are under control, the original feed is reintroduced to test whether a relapse occurs.
Blut tests, which can allegedly diagnose feed allergies, are unreliable because:
they often provide false-positive results, ie, they indicate an allergy that does not exist in reality.
Feed allergies are caused by the reaction of the digestive system and not primarily by the immune system, which is not precisely recorded by these tests.
You do not represent a reliable alternative to the elimination diet, since the sensitivity and specificity of the results is too low.
Therefore, veterinarians recommend that they only rely on the elimination diet in order to safely diagnose or exclude a feed allergy.

What are the biggest challenges for an elimination diet, and how can animal owners master them?

The elimination diet can be a challenge for animal owners because it requires discipline and patience. The most common difficulties include:
Strict compliance with the diet: No treats, table remains or flavored medication may be administered during the diet. Even the smallest exceptions can falsify the results.
Availability of special feed: The recommended hypoallergenic feed can sometimes be difficult to be available or more expensive than normal dog food.
Time required: The observation phase takes several weeks, which requires patience and good organization.
A lack of understanding in the household: Other family members or children could accidentally give unsuitable foods.
Tips for coping with:
Strict control: Inform all people who have contact with the dog about the importance of the diet.
Planning: Always have enough diet food ready to avoid bottlenecks.
Documentation: Use a diary to write down symptoms and possible triggers.
Veterinary support: Work closely with your vet to clarify questions and monitor progress.
With these measures, the elimination diet can be carried out successfully and provides reliable results that help your dog in the long term.

Summary: Shortened elimination diet in dogs

The shortened elimination diet in dogs is an innovative approach that makes it possible to significantly shorten the classic, often stressful eight -week elimination diet without affecting diagnostic accuracy. This approach combines the use of prednisolone or Oclacitinib with a hypoallergenic diet to achieve faster results.

The shortened elimination diet in dogs offers many advantages. It relieves the symptoms, such as itching and skin infections, within a few days by using prednisolone. At the same time, it makes it easier for the owners to comply with the diet because the period of observation is reduced. The shortened elimination diet in dogs is particularly helpful if the perseverance of the owners is a challenge in a classic elimination diet.

The concept of shortened elimination diet in dogs is based on the assumption that the targeted suppression of the symptoms can be drawn to a feed allergy in the first few weeks as soon as the original diet is reintroduced. The study by Fischer et al. (2021) has shown that the shortened elimination diet in dogs with prednisolone has a high sensitivity (95 %) and specificity (100 %).

The shortened elimination diet in dogs nevertheless requires discipline: no treats, table remains or flavored medication must be given. The success of the shortened elimination diet in dogs largely depends on working with a veterinarian who guides and monitors the diet.

Another advantage of the shortened elimination diet in dogs is time saving. While the classic elimination diet is often perceived as too long and difficult, the shortened variant enables the allergy cause. This makes the shortened elimination diet in dogs a practical and time -saving process that convinces both veterinarians and animal owners.

It is important that the is carried out correctly in dogs This includes the use of a veterinally recommended hypoallergenic feed, either with hydrolyzed proteins or a single new protein source. Errors in the implementation can falsify the results and impair shortened elimination diet in dogs

Despite the advantages, the shortened elimination diet remains for dogs , which must be monitored by a veterinarian. It does not replace a thorough examination and does not rule out other causes of skin problems such as environmental allergies or parasites. the shortened elimination diet in dogs is the only method with which feed allergy can be diagnosed safely.

In summary, it can be said that the shortened elimination diet in dogs is a promising further development of the classic elimination diet. It combines scientifically sound approaches with practical feasibility and offers dog owners and its four -legged friends a considerable relief. With the shortened elimination diet in dogs, all -range skin problems can be effectively diagnosed and treated in the long term. Veterinarians who use the shortened elimination diet in dogs report positive experiences and a high level of acceptance among the owners.

The shortened elimination diet in dogs is a step in the right direction to make diagnoses faster and more precisely. This concept shows how scientific knowledge can be implemented in a practical way in order to improve dog's quality of life with allergic symptoms. The future of dermatological diagnostics is undoubtedly in approaches such as the shortened elimination diet in dogs .

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