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What is Canine Atopic Dermatitis (Atopy)?

 

There are many factors which can cause your dog to itch and scratch. Among the common offenders are parasites such as fleas and mites, contact allergies, food allergies and yeast infections. This article discusses Canine Atopic Dermatitis, an inhaled allergy.  (You may also wish to read about Mange in dogs which can also cause itching)
 

Canine Atopic Dermatitis, also known as atopy is a common itchy skin allergy in dogs caused by a disorder of the dog's immune system. It is an allergy to substances in the environment that are inhaled by the dog. These substances are called allergens and cause the immune system to over re-act and release histamines.

 

Some of the more common allergens are:

 

* House Dust Mite

 

* Pollen from trees, flowers or grasses.

 

* Mold Spores

 

What are the symptoms of Canine Atopic Dermatitis?

 

The main symptom is excessive itching. The itching is often seen in the paws, face, groin, armpits and ears. Dogs will often chew their feet or rub their faces on the carpet or on furniture or they may rub their muzzle with their feet.  Owners may notice their dog licking, chewing and and grooming for long periods of time.

 

Most cases of atopic dermatitis in dogs begin between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. 

 

The ears may be very red and hot to the touch.

 

The dog can mutilate his skin with excessive scratching and chewing. Sores and hair loss can develop. Secondary infections with bacteria and yeast are common. Yeast infections have a unique sour odor that you may recognize from time to time.

 

It is common for a dog with atopy to wake in the night and scratch for lengthy periods of time.

 

The symptoms may be seasonal at first, for example the dog may be allergic to a pollen from a tree that only flowers for three weeks a year, however as the atopic dog gets older the the itchiness may occur year round.

 

The owner may notice a reddish brown stain on the dog's groin area or feet. This is caused by coming into contact with excessive saliva.

 

Which Breeds of Dog are more susceptible to Atopy?

 

Any breed can be affected by atopy even a mutt but certain breeds do have a predisposition to it. These breeds include: German Shepherd, West Highland Terrier, Golden Retriever, Dalmatian, Shi-tzu, Miniature Schnauzer, Poodle, Boxer, Lhasa apso, English bulldogs, English setters, Wirehaired fox terriers, Beagle, Boston Terrier and Shar Pei.

 

Is Atopy inherited?

Yes. Breeders should not breed with known atopic dogs.
 

What is the treatment for Atopy

 

There is no cure for atopy in dogs but a degree of control can be achieved in a some cases. Often it is not one single treatment that is effective but a combination of two, three or more different treatments. Below are some of the treatments that your vet may recommend.

 

Steroid (Cortisone) shots or tablets

Cortisone can give your dog instant relief from the itching but cannot be used long term. Long term use can cause serious health issues. Short term use is very valuable for relieving the itch thus allowing damaged skin to repair itself.  Prednisone is often the drug chosen by vets to treat dogs.

 

When your dog's itching becomes unbearable to both you and the dog a week or so on prednisone  may be an ideal way to get your dog over the immediate crisis. Use it sparingly and enjoy the benefits. Your vet will advise you of the dosage. It is very important to follow the vet's instructions carefully as you cannot abruptly stop the medication. The dog has to be weaned off it gradually.

 

There are side effects associated with the use of steroids. Common symptoms include increased thirst, increased urination, increased appetite (which can cause weight gain), depression, hyperactivity, panting, and diarrhea.

 

For more information on steroid treatment, this article is very thorough:
Cortisone Treatment for Atopy

 

Topical Treatments

Oatmeal shampoos which soothe the skin are often recommended.

 

Antihistamines
Antihistamines usually work great for humans but are not so effective for dogs. The most common antihistamines that vets recommend for dogs are:
 

Antihistamine	Name
Diphenhydramine	Benadryl
Hydroxyzine	Atarax
Chlorpheniramine	Chlor-Trimeton
Clemastine fumarate	Tavist

 

Often it is a matter of trial and error to find a antihistamine that works for your dog but quite often no antihistamine is effective.

Desensitization - often called Allergy Shots

Your vet may recommend that you consider desensitization vaccines. This involves testing of your dog to find out what it is allergic to. Your vet may perform a blood test or refer you to a veterinary dermatologist who will perform a skin test for the most common allergens. When the allergens are identified he will order a low dose mixture of those allergens and your vet will inject your dog with this mixture on a weekly or monthly basis. Your dog's immune system 'learns' to deal with these allergens. Over time your dog will require the shots less often, reducing to what is called a maintenance dose.

 

According to some studies it has been reported that desensitizing shots can prevent or reduce allergies in 60% to 80% of cases.

 

Omega Fatty Acids

 

Some research has shown that the Omega-3 and Omega-6 dietary supplements may be beneficial to dogs suffering from atopy. Some dogs have shown improvement after being given supplements but others no benefit at all. A dog needs to take the supplement for several weeks before any improvement is noticed.  Many studies have been conducted testing the benefits of dietary treatments.  For detailed reading of one of these studies please click on this link. New study confirms benefits of nutritional management for atopic dogs

 

Avoidance

 

Dust mites are a common allergen. So keeping your dog outside may be beneficial. Dust mites thrive in carpets and beds. Maybe just keeping your dog out of the bedroom would help as a typical mattress can hold between 100,000 to 10 million mites. Putting your dog's bed out in the sunshine daily can reduce dust mites. On the other hand if pollens are the allergen then keeping your dog inside would be more helpful.

 

If your dog is allergic to molds then keeping him out of damp areas such as basements may help.

 

You cannot be sure of what your dog is allergic to unless you have a skin test performed.

 

Atopica

 

Atopica is used to treat itchy skin caused by atopic dermatitis in dogs. It can be very effective for dogs suffering from severe, constant itchiness. Atopica works by suppressing the immune system. The generic name for the drug is Cyclosporine and has been used in human transplant patients. Although there has been some success for the treatment of atopy in dogs there are side effects. I  recommend that you discuss the pros and cons with your vet about using this drug. Also, you should be aware that Atopica can be an expensive treatment.

 

 

 

 

This article article is provided for informative purposes only. Always seek veterinary advice for any medical problem