How is atopic dermatitis treated in dogs? Atopic dermatitis in dogs treatment Dermatitis in dogs symptoms and treatment

Atopic dermatitis in dogs is a disease that is chronic. It is accompanied by itching and rash. It occurs as a reaction to allergens, which is why the second name for the disease is allergic dermatitis.

As numerous studies by veterinarians have shown, this pathology in dogs may be associated with genetics.

Risk group, causes and signs of allergic dermatitis in dogs

Dermatitis usually affects dogs that are still very young, up to five years old. There are also breeds that are most susceptible to the disease:

Shar Pei
Boxer
Chow chow
Cocker Spaniel
Beagle
German Shepherd
Labrador
Bulldogs – American and French
Setters – English and Irish

An allergen can enter a dog’s body from any source, the immune system begins to perceive it as a foreign element and begins an active fight - antibodies are produced that destroy the irritating factor.

The first symptoms of the disease can be noticed in a puppy at the age of six months. After which the disease will periodically return over many years.

There are factors that serve as provoking factors for this form of dermatitis:

Seasonality or pet's habitat. Your pet's health may deteriorate due to uncomfortable temperature and humidity.
Microclimate of the habitat. The dog suffers because a large number of allergens accumulate in its habitat; the pet may also suffer from food allergies and dust in the house. There have been cases where a dog was allergic to indoor flowers
Accompanying illnesses. If a dog has giardiasis, biliary dyskinesia, then atopy may begin to develop against this background
Taking medications prescribed by a veterinarian

In the photographs you can see what dermatitis looks like in dogs.

You can tell that your dog is sick by the following symptoms:

The animal is constantly suffering and itching
The skin becomes thick and red
The fur begins to thin out
Skin hyperpigmented

When a dog's skin itches, it behaves very restlessly and tries to lick the sore spots. The lesions are clearly visible on the dog’s paws, face, groin, and limbs. The skin becomes covered with scales, and the coat becomes oily.

Very often the disease is accompanied by otitis media and pododermatitis. Against this background, the dog may begin to limp.

Treatment Basics

Don't think that you can cope with your dog's illness on your own. You need to go to the vet.

The doctor will clarify all the nuances and ask the owner about the symptoms. To find out whether genetics influenced the development of the disease in a dog, samples of stool, blood, skin scrapings and bacterial cultures are taken.

If the veterinarian understands that the allergy is due to the fact that the dog is not eating properly, then he develops a special diet. It will last approximately 6 weeks. Next, the dog’s diet is changed to food that will not cause allergies.

The dog will recover faster if the allergen is removed from its body in a short time.

You can simply exclude the irritating factor from the dog’s habitat or diet, and the disease will very quickly disappear. If there are a lot of allergens, then it will be more difficult. To help his dog in any way, the owner will have to:

Constantly do wet cleaning of the house
Make sure there is normal humidity
Watch out for dust, because dust mites live in it
Disinfect the premises
Change bowls, collars, bedding, toys

Therapy for dermatitis may be accompanied by a course of immunotherapy.

In 70% of all cases, hyposensitization completely helps get rid of the problem. This procedure involves injecting the dog with an allergen under the skin with a gradual increase in concentration.

In this case, the veterinarian must take into account the data from the medical history and allergy tests.

Drug therapy

Immunotherapy and symptom management can be done together or separately. The doctor prescribes different medications.

Shampoos are also prescribed. The dose will depend on the weight of the dog. They are given once every 24, 48 or 72 hours.

From glucocorticoids for dermatitis the following is prescribed:

Triamcinolone
Prednisolone
Methylprednisolone

There are also side effects - skin calcification, polyuria, drowsiness, shortness of breath, polyphagia.

From antihistamines:

Clemastine
Chlorphenamine
Amitriptyline
Cyproheptadine

Side effects: polyuria or polydipsia.

The drugs are considered to be very effective:

Fluoxetine
Cyclosporine
Oxpentiphylline

Side effects: nausea, drowsiness, diarrhea, skin rashes, polydipsia and polyuria. They are given to the animal once every 12 hours.

To treat dermatitis in dogs between the toes that has developed due to atopy, polyunsaturated fatty acids are prescribed.

These include:

Eicosapentaenoic acid
Linoleic acid
Flax oil
Sunflower oil

The oil must be cold pressed. Omega acids are found in supplements and fish oil. The dose should be calculated by the doctor, taking into account the weight of the dog. Side effects are diarrhea.

External treatment

What can be used for external treatment of dogs?

To make lotions, you can use herbal iced teas
To relieve pain and itching, you need to make applications that are moistened with echinacea tincture
To speed up the tissue healing process, use an infusion of chamomile, which is known for its disinfectant properties.

Remedies based on comfrey leaf and root are also good for healing wounds.

Calendula will help if, along with dermatitis, the dog has an infection.

Herbal teas are made from all of the above herbs.

The herbs are mixed in equal parts, after which they take 4 tablespoons of the raw material, pour boiling water over it and infuse
Next, the infusion needs to be filtered
Pour in aloe juice and use for application on the animal’s body.

Personal experience on video

Watch the video of a real case. How the symptoms of the disease were expressed, and how the dog’s owner fought them.

Depending on the causes of dermatitis in dogs, the following types of disease are distinguished.

Allergic

It runs in families and is very difficult to diagnose as it can easily be confused with other species. The main causes of appearance: mites, plant pollen, food. Most often it affects the folds of the paws and ears.

Traumatic

Appears as a result of bruises, cracks, scratching mainly on the head and tip of the tail.

Contact

Occurs as a result of exposure to direct sunlight, wearing a collar, or using ointments. It affects only those places that were in contact with the irritant.

Atopic

Occurs due to the formation of IgE bodies in response to allergens (food, in the environment): pollen, flour, dust mites, fungal spores, proteins, etc. First appears on the face, in the groin, armpits, around the anus, between fingers, in the ear canal. Has a clear seasonal dependence.

Weeping

It is characterized by swelling, redness, and ichor that oozes from scratches, cracks, and wounds. Quickly complicated by the development of secondary infections. Often begins on the back of the body. Cause: flea bites, allergies, poor care, degenerative joint disease, etc.

Fungal

Mycosis of the skin is caused by the yeast fungus Malassezia pachydermatis. It appears in the lip area, on the interdigital folds of skin, in the external auditory canal, vagina, and on the paraanal glands. It occurs as a result of weakened immunity, increased sweating, long-term therapy with antibiotics and corticosteroids, hypothyroidism, atopic dermatitis, and demodicosis.

Papular

This is an external manifestation of a disease that occurs in the body. It is characterized by the appearance of a rash in the form of skin bumps (papules). The skin becomes inflamed and peels. Pigment spots remain in place of the papules.

Granulomatous

It occurs mainly in puppies from one to four months, less often in juniors up to a year. Its signs are a rash in the form of papules, pustules in the lips, eyelids, genitals, anus, and in the external auditory canal. An increase in submandibular nodes may be observed.

Autoimmune

Dermatitis occurs when the body's own immune system attacks elements of the skin, protecting the body. The exact reasons for this immune system failure are unknown. This may be a hereditary factor, an infectious disease, etc.

Bacterial

The disease is caused by staphylococci (Staphylococcus intermedius) and other bacteria that usually make up the normal microflora of the skin. Once on damaged areas, bacteria multiply quickly. Penetrating deep into the skin, they provoke inflammation.

Atypical

This form of dermatitis is classified as an allergic pathology. It occurs as a reaction to an allergen - an irritant. Symptoms - rash, itching, redness of the skin, swelling, exudation.

Pustular or purulent

It is characterized by the appearance of pustules (pustules), which are deep and superficial. As a rule, it is a consequence of a bacterial infection.

Acral

Ulcerative

Occurs when scratching turns into painful sores. Often the cause of ulcerative dermatitis is burns or severe infestation with mites. Wounds do not heal on their own. It appears mainly on the soft skin of the abdomen and chest.

Miliary

Mozolny

More common in large breeds of dogs. Localized on the paw pads as a result of injuries and calluses. The clinical picture is similar to other skin diseases. To clarify the diagnosis, a biopsy is often performed.

Symptoms

In dogs, regardless of what type of dermatitis the animal suffers from, approximately the same symptoms appear, these include:

itching and pain in the affected area of the skin;
increased body temperature;
skin redness;
swelling;
crust formation;
thickening of the skin, peeling;
hair loss.

Treatment

You cannot self-medicate, since the choice of treatment method depends on the cause of the disease. The veterinarian will prescribe the appropriate medication.

Main methods of treatment:

Trim the affected area, which is then treated with an antiseptic.
Ozocerite and paraffin dressings can be applied to the affected areas.
Treatment with novocaine blockade will help relieve pain. To do this, a 0.25% or 0.5% solution of novocaine is usually administered.
If a secondary infection occurs, the veterinarian may prescribe antibiotic therapy.
Hormone therapy will help relieve itching and improve the general condition of your pet. Hormonal drugs are administered intramuscularly or intravenously.
Treatment with antihistamines will relieve itching and other allergic symptoms.
Immunotherapy treatment is effective in 60% of cases. However, it has one drawback - at the beginning of taking immunostimulants, the itching intensifies, which needs to be relieved with antipruritic drugs. The effect of immunotherapy will become noticeable only after 5-6 months.
Vitamin therapy helps strengthen the dog’s body. Typically, intramuscular administration of vitamins B, A, PP, and E is prescribed.
Treatment with Furosemide will help remove toxins from the body.
Crusts can be removed using hydrogen peroxide. If peroxide cannot cope with this task, then you can try applying 10% salicylic ointment.

You should not self-medicate, because there can be many reasons for the appearance of dermatitis. First of all, you need to visit a veterinarian. He will not only prescribe medications that can be used at home, but will also give recommendations on the pet’s diet.

Feeding

It is necessary to exclude dry food, canned food, carbohydrates, and all grains. Do not give bread, potatoes, red meat.

To determine what food a dog is allergic to, it must be kept on a strict diet for at least 2 months.

If after this time there is no improvement, then the problem is not in the pet’s nutrition.

And if improvements in the condition are noticeable, then it is best to transfer the pet to a specially developed food for animals suffering from allergies.

Care

If a dog has purulent dermatitis, then it should not be bathed, but if seborrhea is diagnosed, bathing is necessary. At the same time, you need to bathe your dog in disinfectant solutions.

Use shampoos containing antimicrobial agents that protect the skin from drying out.

Good antipruritic results can be achieved by using antipruritic shampoos and antihistamines. Sometimes, in addition to urea and glycerin, hormonal and antiallergic agents are added to the composition of such shampoos. It is important to rinse the shampoo thoroughly.

For the best effect, such shampoo should be on the animal’s skin for at least 10 minutes. At first, the detergent is used 2 times a week, with improvement, the number of procedures is reduced to 1 time a week or even 1 time every 2 weeks.

Dermatitis in dogs is an inflammatory process in the skin itself (in the dermis itself). The reasons for the development of this mustache disease are very diverse. However, in any case, the animal will experience terrible discomfort, itching, and even pain when touching the inflamed area of the skin.

The causes of dermatitis in dogs are varied. And to understand what leads to skin inflammation, you need to understand the classification of dermatitis. Already from the “names” of each of them it becomes clear what causes health problems in the pet.

Classification by stream:

Acute
Chronic.

Contributing Factors

There are some factors that are kind of “catalysts”. Because of them, the animal has a much greater risk of developing dermatitis. These include:

There are several types of dermatitis in dogs. However, we can talk about a specific “culprit” only after establishing the cause of the disease. The first classification is based on the cause of the disease:

Allergic

This type of inflammation is most often recorded. Allergies in pets are occurring more and more often. Either for food, or for medicine, or for cosmetics (shampoos), or for means of protection against ticks and fleas. There are many culprits for the development of an allergic reaction in a dog. And it is almost impossible to find the cause on your own, without the help of a veterinary specialist. And without this, it is impossible to completely cure your pet (you can “muffle” the visible symptoms, but the allergy itself will continue to “rage” inside the body).

This also includes atopic dermatitis in dogs, which is increasingly being recorded in mustaches. Unfortunately, this type of inflammation is much less treatable than others. However, the animal can still be cured; the main thing is to determine the cause of inflammation of the dermis, correctly eliminate it and prevent its re-impact on the pet’s body. But this cannot be done without a veterinarian.

Mechanical

This type of dermatitis develops as a result of aggressive mechanical effects on the skin and injury. For example, a muzzle or a collar stung the mustache. And in this place inflammation appeared, the hair fell out. Yes, and scratching can cause your pet to develop such an unpleasant disease as dermatitis.

Complications of this type of inflammation can be the appearance of pus (pathogenic microflora is added, which penetrates through the injured skin).

Dermatitis due to the sun

Dogs with short hair and poorly pigmented skin are most often affected by it. But even in other mustaches, solar dermatitis cannot be ruled out. Just look at the nose. Bubbles appear near its base, and there may even be ulcers. Don't underestimate the effects of ultraviolet radiation. In small doses, it is necessary for the animal (it helps to absorb calcium, since it is a prerequisite for the formation of vitamin D in the body).

Other types

Other types of dermatitis in dogs:

Common symptoms of dermatitis in dogs include redness and increased temperature in the affected area of the skin (a rash may appear), slight swelling, pain when touched, changes in the animal's behavior, and pinpoint hemorrhages may appear. The animal becomes nervous because it is bothered by itching, and inflamed tissues hurt. There may even be irritable behavior, and appetite is noticeably reduced. If dermatitis in dogs becomes chronic, the skin becomes thick. Sometimes ulcers, crusts, and ulcers appear.

As soon as pus appears, the mustache’s body temperature immediately rises, because pus is always an infection in the body! And fever is a response of the immune system. You can see signs of dermatitis in dogs in the examples in the photo:

Treatment

Before you can treat a dog with dermatitis, you need to find the cause! Agree, buy various ointments, tablets, without knowing why the mustache has skin problems. Firstly, it will hit your wallet (after all, after an examination, the veterinarian may prescribe completely different drugs), and secondly, complications may arise due to self-medication. The symptoms will subside, but the disease itself will “wait” until it “intensifies” again.

The best thing a loving owner can do for a pet with signs of dermatitis is to seek help from a veterinarian, who will not only determine the real cause of the development of this pathology in the mustache, but also prescribe effective therapy.

And only the doctor must decide what to give the animal: antibiotics, antiviral, fungicidal (against fungi), anti-inflammatory drugs, immunomodulators.

For coccal (purulent) infections, sulfonamide drugs are most effective.
Vitamin therapy is also good (vitamins B, E and A help best)..
Injections and ointments are again the prerogative of the veterinarian. He himself will select the best forms of the drug for your dog.
In addition to medications, you need to change your diet. Go hypoallergenic. Or maybe change the manufacturer altogether (again, don’t forget that industrially produced dry and wet food should only be of super-premium and holistic class).

If you have used any medications before, they can only be discontinued after consulting a veterinarian. After all, with your decision you can only make things worse. Remember if you gave the animal any industrial vitamins? Perhaps it was these that developed allergic dermatitis in dogs.

Prevention and predisposition

It is best not to give your pet dermatitis. Take care of prevention.

Make a balanced diet.
Take care of your pet. Don’t forget about hygiene (we wash the fur when it gets dirty, clean the ears and eyes). If necessary, then don’t forget about grooming (haircut).
Treat against fleas and ticks.
Quarterly deworming should become a habit. Drontal and Milbemax are considered an excellent drug. Given once (there are no intervals of 10-14 days between anthelmintic doses), they “beat” both roundworms and tapeworms.
No self-medication. Don’t prescribe anything yourself, don’t cancel it. Before giving any veterinary (and especially “human”!) drug, you must consult a veterinarian.
Make sure that the collar and muzzle do not rub the pet’s skin.

Predisposition to dermatitis in dogs of various breeds

There are several dog breeds that are predisposed to developing dermatitis. These “lucky ones” get sick more often than representatives of other breeds. Who most often suffers from dermatitis? Shar-Pei (this folded beauty often suffers from allergic inflammation of the skin), Dalmatian, Rottweiler, bulldog (it doesn’t matter if it’s French, English or even American). Less often, but still more often than others, dermatitis is recorded in chow-chows, pugs, German shepherds, Labradors and even spaniels.

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Atopic dermatitis (atopy) is a chronic disease of the skin of dogs with a mandatory symptom in the form of constant itching. Delaying treatment will provoke an increase in the area of the affected areas and more frequent relapses. It is important for dog owners to carefully monitor the behavior and condition of the animal in order to identify pathology in the early stages and contact a veterinarian in time.

Atopy is a dog's body's reaction to exposure to a specific allergen. When it enters the respiratory tract or skin, the immune system produces antibodies to eliminate the irritant, which causes a characteristic reaction of the skin. Depending on the origin of the allergen, the disease may be seasonal or non-seasonal. It is inherited, but the causative allergens may differ among puppies of the same litter.

Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms of atopic dermatitis in dogs include:

the appearance of inflamed areas in different parts of the body (most often the limbs, abdomen, face, axillary region);
severe and constant itching, which is accompanied by severe scratching and licking;
redness (purple) of the affected areas with the appearance of scales;
greasy appearance of fur or its loss in areas of damage and scratching;

Inflammation of the skin and oily seborrhea can often cause the development of a concomitant pathology - a yeast infection, which is accompanied by the appearance of papules and boils. In addition, it is also possible that there may be an associated manifestation of rhinitis, otitis externa, asthma, staphylococcal pyoderma (with ulcers, fistulas and inflammation).

Atopic dermatitis is characterized by varying degrees of damage to parts of the body, which determines the duration of periods of exacerbation and remission:

Light - covers single areas. Irritation is observed for 2-3 weeks and appears no more than 2 times a year with remission for 6-8 months.
Moderate - affects multiple areas of the body. The pathology appears 3-4 times a year for 1-2 months.
Severe - represents multiple pathological spots, which often merge into a single whole. The disease progresses over 2 months, 4 or more times a year. Remission can last up to 30 days or be absent altogether.

Photo of atopic dermatitis in a dog

Diagnostics

One of the main stages in diagnosing atopic dermatitis is a detailed interview with the dog’s owner in order to draw up a correct medical history and select the appropriate treatment. In addition, a clinical examination of the pet and laboratory tests are carried out:

blood test (general, hormones and biochemistry), urine and feces;
scrapings from affected areas;
bacteriological/mycological cultures (including sensitivity to antibacterial drugs).

One of the diagnostic methods may be to prescribe a so-called “exclusion diet”, when only one product is used to feed the pet, and new ones are added gradually. This approach allows you to identify the presence of food allergies.

Treatment

Treatment of atopy begins with identifying the irritant and eliminating its effect on the dog’s body. To do this, a complete adjustment of the animal’s nutrition and living conditions is carried out. Sometimes these measures are enough to alleviate the condition. But in practice, it is often revealed that the body is sensitive to a whole “bouquet” of allergens, which cannot always be eliminated. However, their impact can be reduced by:

regular wet cleaning;
maintaining a normal level of humidity in the room;
cleaning dust, which is a favorable environment for dust mites;
periodic disinfection of housing.

Drug treatment of atopic dermatitis is selected taking into account the provoking factors in a particular animal and the degree of complexity of skin damage. The scheme may include:

Corticosteroid drugs - have a quick and powerful effect on reducing the activity of factors that cause pathology: they help eliminate redness, itching and allergic swelling. But they have side effects such as shortness of breath, muscle atrophy, drowsiness, etc. Among the most commonly used: Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, Methylprednisolone.
Antihistamines – block the development of allergic reactions. At the same time, modern drugs (Claritin, Zyrtec, Telfast, Lomilan) are distinguished by a longer action and lack of addiction compared to first-generation drugs (Suprastin, Tavegil).
Antibiotic therapy helps prevent the development of concomitant infections. The most commonly used injections are Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, Clindamycin, Cefaclor or Erythromycin.
Topical agents – reduce itching and remove allergens from the skin. These can be medicated shampoos (Sulfoden, Mikohex), ointments and creams (Triderm, Pimafukort, Nistaform), etc.
Antifungal therapy. For these purposes, systemic drugs are prescribed, which are administered 1-2 times a day (Diflucan, Nizoral, Rumicosis, etc.)
Immunotherapy, which involves gradual introduction (over a quarter to six months) into the dog’s body, which promotes the development of immunity.

Important! Any medications, as well as their dosages, should be selected only by a veterinarian after a preliminary examination of the dog.

The dog must be treated under the full supervision of a veterinarian. Only following the recommendations prescribed by him will help cure your pet or achieve relief from his condition in severe cases.

One of the most common pathologies is atopic dermatitis in dogs or, as it is also called, atopy. The pathology makes itself felt by itchy inflammation of the skin of animals, accompanied by characteristic signs that arise in them in one form or another against the background of a hereditary predisposition to the formation of antibodies to environmental allergens. And since environmental conditions have not been encouraging lately, it is not surprising that according to statistical data, almost 15% of dogs are susceptible to this disease. What is pathology, how dangerous is it, is there any hope for recovery for our pets?

Clinical picture of atopic dermatitis

Atopy develops against the background of a combination of many factors and is characterized by a variety of clinical pictures, which makes its diagnosis and treatment certain difficulties. Often this disease manifests itself as alopecia in certain areas of the skin, formed in areas of scratching due to itching, granulomas, spots, ulcers on the lips, lower neck, and abdomen. The disease mainly affects young animals from one to three years of age. True, it rarely happens that six-month-old puppies get sick.

Atopic dermatitis is a reaction of an animal’s body to an active allergen. The pathology is hereditary. However, even among puppies of the same litter, the pathology is inherited. Puppies from the same litter have different allergens. Depending on the underlying allergen, the disease may be seasonal or non-seasonal.

The severity of the ailment is determined by the duration of exacerbations, remissions, as well as the area of distribution on the animal’s body. For example, in terms of the frequency of exacerbations, the picture looks like this:

mild course - the disease makes itself felt no more than 2 times a year for 2-3 weeks;
moderate – 3-4 times a year for 1-2 months;
severe - more than 2 months more than 4 times a year.

Regarding the duration of remission, in mild and moderate forms of atopic dermatitis it lasts 6-8 months. In severe cases, relief may be observed for 30 days or may not occur at all.

If we take into account the area affected by atopy, then with a mild degree there will be single limited spots, with a moderate degree there will be multiple lesions of the skin. In severe cases, these multiple lesions may combine into one large area with full manifestation of erythroderma.

What causes atopy

Atopy in dogs can occur for a variety of reasons. Allergens are concentrated nearby - in the apartment, in the courtyard of the house - where the pet always stays. His health can be affected by unexpected changes in temperature, increased air humidity, other environmental changes, as well as household dust, indoor plants, food, etc.

The most prominent representatives of allergens that provoke atopic dermatitis in dogs are dust mites, fleas, house dust, and pollen from flowering plants. Atopy caused by fleas occurs in almost every animal, usually when there is no proper care for it.

Among the common causes contributing to the occurrence of this pathology in dogs, it should be noted:

changing the place of long-term stay - in a dog that is not genetically adapted to the location, this may cause a rash;
microclimate of residence - indoor flowers, house dust, unusual food also often provoke the disease;
poor quality care for your pet, as a result of which it can be bothered by worms, fleas, ticks, posing a direct threat to the occurrence of atopy;
associated ailments - in the presence of hypothyroidism, giardiasis, urolithiasis, bile duct dyskinesia, etc., atopic allergic dermatitis may occur.

Who gets sick more often

Some dog breeds are predisposed to pathology. It is important to know them so that when you acquire such a four-legged friend, you can immediately protect him from the possibility of getting sick. Therefore, if you take into your home a terrier, Labrador retriever, cocker spaniel, boxer, Dalmatian, German shepherd, English bulldog, English or Irish setter, sharpei, miniature schnauzer, then you should pay special attention to their maintenance, remember that they can contract atopy .

Symptoms

The symptoms of atopy in dogs are quite pronounced. The affected areas of the skin are clearly visible on the paws, face, near the ears, in the groin, under the limbs. The fur in such a place has a greasy appearance, and the flaky skin is covered with scales. With severe itching, the pet is constantly scratching. The nature of the course of the disease depends on the allergen that caused the appearance of dermatitis - it will make itself felt seasonally or bother the animal almost all year round.

Among the most obvious signs of atopy it is necessary to note:

itching, which can be so severe that the dog often itches a lot;
redness, purplishness of the skin;
hair loss;
baldness of the skin in areas of scratching.

Dogs with atopic dermatitis often develop a yeast infection (inflammation, oily seborrhea contributes to this). Along the way, pathologies such as otitis externa (inflammation of the ears), asthma, rhinitis, staphylococcal pyoderma, accompanied by ulcers, fistulas, and inflammation, may appear.

If your pet often suffers from otitis media or pododermitis, in which the animal’s paws can be so affected that it simply cannot walk normally and limps, then such conditions are an undeniable sign of atopy.

Diagnosis of the disease

Since the clinical picture is often similar to other pathologies, diagnosis of atopic dermatitis in dogs is associated with certain difficulties. And the diagnostic base of veterinary clinics is not so perfect that it is possible to conduct all the studies.

An important place in studying the picture of the disease is given to a conversation with the dog’s owner, during which the reasons that caused atopy and its symptoms are clarified. It is the collected information that often helps the veterinarian draw up a high-quality anamnesis and prescribe effective therapy. Great importance is given to laboratory research, including:

results of scraping from the animal's skin and culture for fungi;
general tests of stool, blood, urine;
biochemical, endocrinological examination of blood serum.

To rule out food allergies, a strict elimination diet is prescribed (usually for 6-12 weeks).

Complex therapy

Treatment of atopic dermatitis in dogs is a rather lengthy process and requires an integrated approach. But if we consider that pathology refers to chronic diseases, then, as they say, this will last for the rest of your life. The owner will first need to change the pet's habitat. In this regard, you will have to replace the collar, bowl, bedding, muzzle, and detergents. He will need to be fed non-allergenic food.

The success of combating atopic dermatitis in a dog directly depends on the allergen and how quickly the animal’s contact with it is prevented. If it is defined and is unique, then the problem is easily solved. But when a pet is affected by several irritants, it is quite difficult to cope with them all. You can reduce allergens if you constantly:

carry out wet cleaning of the premises;
monitor the room humidity level;
fight dust where dust mites usually live;
disinfect the house.

Drug treatment begins with immunotherapy (hyposensitization), which is carried out over a quarter to six months (according to indications). In almost 70% of animals, this technique allows them to completely relieve unbearable itching. Sometimes, in order to alleviate the animal’s condition and irritation, prednisolone injections may be prescribed for a short period of time through intramuscular or subcutaneous administration.

At the same time, antibacterial or antifungal therapy can also be carried out (in accordance with the indications, drugs can be prescribed simultaneously). The use of antibiotics is practiced for 2-6 weeks, sometimes allowing a week-long break. Cefaclor, Oxacillin, Amoxiclav, Cephalexin, Cefuroxime, Erythromycin, Gentamicin, etc. are used. The dosage is determined by the veterinarian, and injections are usually given 2-3 times a day.

A good effect in overcoming the symptoms of the disease is provided by the use of systemic antifungal drugs, including Flucostat, Rumikoz, Nizoral, Orungal, Diflucan, etc. Their administration is indicated 1-2 times a day.

A number of antibacterial and antifungal agents are prescribed for local action. Among them:

creams, ointments - Triderm, Travocort, Pimafucort, Nistaform;
ear drops - Aurizon, Candibiotic;
shampoos that cleanse and moisturize the skin - Sulfoden, Mikohex, etc.

Success in the treatment of atopy depends on the identification and treatment of these concomitant diseases. Doctors often also prescribe multivitamin supplements that help restore skin and coat. They are usually prescribed for at least 10 weeks. Such a complex disease as atopy in a dog should be treated only under the supervision of a specialist. Only strict adherence to the veterinarian’s advice will help achieve certain successes, and in the case of a simple stage, completely cure the animal.

To achieve remission of the disease, it is important to have clear joint actions between the veterinarian and the animal owner, who understand that this is not a one-day problem and not a low-cost one. For this reason, you should be prepared for patience and certain material costs. After completing the course of treatment, your beloved pet should be observed by a specialist, visiting the veterinary clinic at least every other week (preferably more often). Consultation is also indicated before each start of a course of therapy.

Such visits will enable the attending physician to assess the dynamics of the disease, the condition of the dog, and the effect of the use of medications. When the pet’s condition returns to normal, you can visit the veterinarian once a quarter, and if everything is fine, then once every six months. For the pathology under consideration, traditional treatments for atopic dermatitis can also be used. But only as additional funds. We offer the most famous tips:

compress from raw potatoes - it is made simply: grate raw potatoes, squeeze and apply to sore spots of the skin, bandage and leave for 1 hour. Helps relieve itching and promote wound healing;
antipruritic ointment - 1 tbsp. l. pour fireweed flowers and chamomile with water and boil for 5 minutes, then add 2 cups of pre-infused hay dust, 1 tbsp. l. butter, stir and cook until smooth. Then mix all the contents with glycerin in equal proportions. This ointment should be applied to problem areas 4 times a day for a month, keeping it in the refrigerator.

Prevention of atopy in dogs

Atopy is not life-threatening in dogs. But the pathology, if left untreated, can cause a lot of trouble for their health. The condition will worsen all the time and, becoming severe, will significantly increase the intoxication of the body.

Certain preventive techniques will help you, if not prevent, then at least reduce the risk of atopy in your pet:

There is no need to ignore getting your dog checked regularly by a veterinarian. After all, only he can promptly determine the onset of pathology and prescribe adequate therapeutic measures in a timely manner. And the main thing to remember is that all medical procedures should be carried out only as prescribed by a veterinarian. This will prevent unwanted consequences that interfere with quality therapy.

Atopic dermatitis in dogs, being a chronic skin disease, bothers pets with itching and rashes on the body. Delaying its therapy contributes to the increasingly frequent occurrence of relapses and their increasingly pronounced form. This will not give you any hope of success. Spontaneous cure for atopy occurs very rarely. Therefore, do not ignore your dog’s behavior, monitor its health and let it always please you with its healthy welcoming bark.