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Canine Allergy

Canine Atopic Dermatitis

Allergic skin disease is believed to affect 10-30% of the canine population,1 and is reported as the third most common disorder of canine health conditions.2

There are a number of breeds found to be at an increased risk of atopic dermatitis. With a peak age of onset between 1-3 years it is unlikely to occur after 7 years of age. Significant breed variation exists for both the clinical presentation and age of onset.3

There are a number of breeds found to be at an increased risk of atopic dermatitis including several of the terrier types. With a peak age of onset between 1-3 years it is unlikely to occur after 7 years of age. Significant breed variation exists for both the clinical presentation and age of onset.

 

French Bulldogs and Shar-Peis, for example, have been shown to have a younger age of onset for atopic dermatitis with 53.3% of atopic French Bulldogs and 66.7% of Shar-Peis becoming affected in their first year of life compared to 28.5% of the total canine population.3

Dogs with canine atopic dermatitis present with a range of clinical signs including;

 

  • Pruritis
  • Erythema
  • Otitis externa
  • Recurrent bacterial or yeast infections

Dogs with canine atopic dermatitis present with a range of clinical signs including;

 

  • Pruritis
  • Erythema
  • Otitis
  • Recurrent bacterial or yeast infections
Favrot’s diagnostic criteria

Favrot’s diagnostic criteria is a well-accepted method to follow when working up cases canine atopic dermatitis. If five of the following criteria are met, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis is 85% and 79% respectively4:

  1. <3 years of age
  2. Living mostly indoors
  3. Steroid responsive pruritis
  4. Pruritis seen prior to lesions seen
  5. Affected front feet
  6. Affected ear pinnae
  7. Ear margins not affected
  8. Dorso-lumbar area not affected
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References

  1. Marsella R and De Benedetto A. Atopic dermatitis in Animals and People: An Update and Comparative Review. Veterinary Sciences 2017; 4:37.
  2. Llewellyn-Zaidi AM, Evans KM, O’Neill DG et al. Large-scale survery to estimate the prevalence of disorders for 192 kennels club registered breeds. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 2017; 4:8.
  3. Wilhem S, Kovalik M, Favrot C. Breed associated phenotypes in canine atopic dermatitis. Vet Dermatol 2011;143-9:22(2).
  4. Favrot C, Steffan J, Seewald W. et al. A prospective study on the clinical features of chronic canine atopic dermatitis and its diagnosis. Vet Dermatology 2010; 21:23-31.