EFFECT OF OMEGA-3 SUPPLEMENTATION IN ASIAN DHOLE (CUON ALPINUS LEPTURUS) AND AFRICAN WILD DOGS (LYCAON PICTUS) ON INDICATORS OF ALLERGIES

Author

• Aaron Caudill

Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Moore, Jon

Abstract

The Asian Dholes and the African Wild Dogs at Zoo Miami have shown clinical signs of severe allergies, such as hotspots (patches of inflammation), excessive scratching, and ear irritation over the last few years. The goal of this study was evaluate whether food supplements high in the omega-3 fatty-acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) could reduce these symptoms, as has been found for domestic dogs. Based on the total itching observations per subject, a trend in improvement was seen in African Wild Dogs, while no significant effect was observed in Asian Dholes. Data analysis performed in Fall 2021 on the African Wild Dogs confirmed the study results from the summer. Future studies should try supplementing for a longer period of time to determine if omega-3s can be a useful management strategy for exotic canids in captivity.

Comments

Thesis (B.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, 2022

Recommended Citation

Caudill, Aaron, "EFFECT OF OMEGA-3 SUPPLEMENTATION IN ASIAN DHOLE (CUON ALPINUS LEPTURUS) AND AFRICAN WILD DOGS (LYCAON PICTUS) ON INDICATORS OF ALLERGIES" (2022). Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present. 150.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_honors/150

Extent

24 p.

Identifier

FAUHT00189