Is your dog always itchy? Does he or she have recurring ear infections?
If the answer is yes, your pet may be suffering from a condition called atopic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis is a skin inflammatory condition triggered by mostly environmental allergens. Your pet may be allergic to many different things in its environment. When these allergens come in contact with your pet’s skin, it causes a chain of responses from your pet’s immune system which then results in hot, red, itchy flaky skin. The pet will then scratch and lick resulting in trauma and infections.
Who are at risk?
1. Mostly dogs, but cats may also be affected.
2. Certain breeds are overly represented in the Philippines—Shih Tzus, retriever types and bulldog types— which suggests this condition is hereditary.
3. Dogs of all ages. Usually, the signs start from three (3) months to six (6) years of ag
Diagnosis:
A check by your veterinarian and the history of your pet are needed. An allergen test may be performed to find out what allergens affect your pet the most.
Treatment:
There are numerous treatment modalities but most are immunomodulators and anti-histamines. These control the allergy but does not remove it.
Examples:
1. Corticosteroids
2. Cyclosporine
3. Oclacitinib
Immunotherapy is available if an allergen panel has been done. Pre-prepared allergens are regularly given to your pet to desensitize its immune system. The success of this approach varies greatly and takes time.
Editor’s Note: Richie, a senior dog, was diagnosed as suffering from atopic dermatitis last Wednesday. He is a 16-18-year-old dog rescued by the animal welfare group Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL Inc.) from the illness-ridden Cainta pound in 2014. Save ALL has been giving Richie supplements to support his immune system. He is also given nutritious food like dry dog food and boiled vegetables allowed for dogs and a little meat. He was never given table food. This kind of care seems to be working as his complete blood test showed he is healthy. But Save ALL has to deal with his atopic dermatitis. He was thus brought to Doc Dexter who is now treating him for the said condition.