In this robust clinical study, forty Beagle dogs were fed an identical diet and given one of four treatment options to test the safety of the study substance PCSO-524 (Antinol), a joint, skin and wellness supplement for dogs. Researchers gave the dogs either a placebo, the recommended dose of PCSO-524, 3x the recommended dose, or 10x the recommended dose for eight weeks.
The dogs had blood samples taken before the trial and every two weeks throughout the trial. Various parameters were assessed to give an overall picture of their health and identify any body systems being affected by the trial substances. Any behavioral changes were also recorded.
There were no significant changes in any of the groups when compared to the placebo group, throughout the trial. All of the things tested remained within the normal ranges, and there were no changes in the dogs’ behavior.
The results of the trial suggest that Antinol is a safe supplement to use in dogs, even at ten times the recommended dosage. It is unlikely that you would ever need a dosage that high. Still, it is reassuring that the recommended dose is safe, and even accidental overdoses are unlikely to cause a severe reaction.
Why was this study done?
The animal supplement industry is not as highly regulated and controlled as the medicines industry, and manufacturers are not under such strict rules to prove that their products work or that they are safe for the species they are recommended for.
In many cases, supplement manufacturers use research done on similar substances to back up their claims, or they might have been done in a different species to the one they are recommending it for. For example, the dosages of a supplement may be tested in rats and assumed to be safe, but then they are never tested in the dogs or cats that the supplement is being recommended to. This isn’t always a safe practice, as different species may react differently to the same substance.
Here at Vetz Petz, we believe that claims about supplements should only be made if they can be substantiated with proper science. We also believe that safety studies should be done in the species for which our supplements are intended rather than extrapolating from other species.
Antinol and its fatty acid blend have undergone rigorous testing. It has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect, supporting many aspects of dogs’ health, including skin, joint, and brain health. Antinol had the potential to help thousands of pets feel more comfortable, but first, the researchers wanted to demonstrate its safety.
So, this study was undertaken to ensure that even if a dog was accidentally given a higher dose of Antinol, it would still be safe for them, and that using Antinol at its recommended dosage is safe in dogs.
This study was highly controlled and was done under strict ethical review and conditions, overseen by qualified veterinarians.
What did we expect to find?
Read our explanation of what makes a good study here first.
This was an evaluation study looking at the effect and potential side effects of Antinol at a variety of different doses, when compared to those given a placebo. Studies had already been undertaken by other researchers in children using a similar supplement, so it was hypothesised that dogs would have no significant side effects.
Where does the study fit into the hierarchy of evidence?
Not sure what the hierarchy of evidence is? Check out the clinical studies basics here.
Figure 1. Hierarchy of evidence
This was a randomized complete block design study. It sits in the red zone of the hierarchy of evidence, which is generally considered to be a study of robust design, particularly useful for primary trials looking at treatment or prevention of conditions.
The study wasn’t blinded, so those administering the test and placebo substances knew which dog was getting which. However, it was block-randomized, which split the trial dogs into equal-sized test groups, reducing the risk of bias that could skew the results by ensuring that the dogs were randomly assigned to a test group.
The study was placebo-controlled, which enables researchers to have a baseline result to compare with.The placebo was designed to look the same as the substance it was replacing.
How was the study set up?
Forty healthy Beagle dogs (20 male and 20 female), aged between 1 and 3, were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups, ensuring there were five males and five females in each group.
Before the study, all dogs were wormed, vaccinated and deemed healthy during a veterinary assessment. All dogs were kept in identical conditions. They were all fed the same premium diet calculated by body weight to ensure their nutritional status was the same before the trial started.
- Supplement groups.
The recommended dose of Antinol was 1-2 capsules (248mg) per 20kg bodyweight/day, or 2-4 capsules for dogs over 20kg. This study intended to test the safety of dosage over the recommended, against a placebo. So, the four groups were assigned one of four treatment options:
- Basal diet PLUS 20 empty capsules – placebo
- Basal diet PLUS 2 capsules – recommended dose
- Basal diet PLUS 6 capsules – 3 x recommended dose
- Basal diet PLUS 20 capsules – 10 x recommended dose.
What was measured?
3ml blood samples were taken from each dog before the trial and every 2 weeks during the trial. These enabled researchers to understand the impact of the different doses on the dogs. They assessed the dog’s blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alanine, aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkalinephosphatase (ALP), total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, and blood parasites.
Then, every four weeks, they also measured their trisodium citrate for thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).
All of these measures indicate the dogs’ overall health and show researchers if problems begin to arise with any systems in particular, such as their kidney health.
The dogs were also assessed clinically and for behavioural changes every day, and they were weighed weekly.
What were the results?
Encouragingly, there were no stand-out results to report.
Across all four groups, there were no significant changes in any of the parameters measured compared to the placebo group.
All dogs maintained their body weights, and there were no changes in feed or water intake, behaviour, or defecation.
No abnormalities were seen in their visual, nervous, musculoskeletal, or skin and coat health throughout the study.
What do these results mean for my dog?
Choosing a supplement that is appropriate for your dog can feel like a minefield at the best of times. There are so many options, all with different claims. And when you realise that supplements are not highly regulated and safety testing isn’t compulsory, it makes it even harder to know which to choose for your dog.
Some classes of fatty acids are prone to lipid peroxidation, which results in substances that are toxic to the liver, and some fish oil supplements have been shown to reduce platelet counts and blood clotting capabilities. This is not the case in this study; all of these factors remained within the normal range, with no significant variation.
The results of this study indicate that Antinol is safe to use in dogs, with no adverse effects or side effects at all, even at a dosage ten times greater than recommended. So, if you’re looking for a supplement for your dog, you can feel confident that not only is Antinol clinically proven to support your dog’s joint and skin health, but it is also safe to use and has been proven to be so in clinical studies.
If you would like to read the full scientific study, you can download it here.
