It is said that allergic dermatitis has been on the rise in recent years due to keeping pets indoors and the diversification of pet food. Atopic dermatitis is a complex disease with many unknowns and treatment requires a multifaceted approach, so it is important for pet owners to understand the disease. This time, Kobayashi from Hiff Cafe Tamagawa will explain in detail what kind of disease atopic dermatitis is, how to diagnose it, and how to treat it. Let’s learn about this disease and free your lovely pooch from painful itching.

< p>▊What is dog allergy?

Allergies occur when the immune system, which normally eliminates viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, etc., overreacts to normally harmless substances such as pollen, dust, house dust, or food, causing a harmful inflammatory response in the body.

Substances that cause allergies are called "allergens" and typical diseases include atopic dermatitis, food allergies and hay fever.

▊Breeds and ages of dogs prone to allergies

Genetic factors are believed to be related to the onset of atopic dermatitis. Common dog breeds include Shiba Inu, West Highland White Terrier, Shih Tzu, Golden Retriever, Yorkshire Terrier, Beagle, Labrador Retriever, Shetland (Shetland Sheepdog) and Maltese.

The age of onset is relatively young, with about 70% of cases occurring under 3 years old and about 85% of cases occurring under 5 years old.

▊Causes and allergens of dog allergies

Dog allergic dermatitis includes "flea allergy dermatitis", "adverse food reaction (food allergy)" and "canine atopy" dermatitis". The names of these diseases vary depending on the allergen (foreign object that causes itching).

Flea allergy

Flea allergy is an allergic reaction to flea saliva, which can cause abnormal itching even if bitten by a flea.

Food Allergy

Food allergy can cause an allergic reaction to any ingredient, but it is said that this reaction is most likely to occur with proteins.

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a disease that you may often hear about. It refers to the reaction to environmental allergens contained in the air, such as indoor dust. Dermatitis caused by allergic reactions such as dust, pollen, etc.

As mentioned above, there are many types of allergens. Identifying allergens is extremely difficult and requires time and patience due to the many factors involved.

▊Symptoms of allergic dermatitis in dogs

The main symptom of allergic dermatitis is itching. On the contrary, if it is not itchy, it is not allergic dermatitis. Common areas of irritation are around the eyes, mouth, ears, armpits, inner thighs, anus, and the tips of the hands and toes. The exception is that flea allergies usually cause itching primarily on the back and tail.

Scratching can cause scratches and eczema. Additionally, if the condition becomes chronic, the skin may thicken (called lichenification) or darken (called hyperpigmentation).

< p>Atopic dermatitis starts with itching, so if you notice an increase in the frequency of scratching even when you don't have eczema, this could be a sign of atopic dermatitis.

▊Testing and Diagnosing Dog Allergies

Atopic dermatitis is not the only skin condition that causes itching. Therefore, it is important to perform a diagnosis of exclusion when diagnosing atopic dermatitis. There are four diagnostic procedures for atopic dermatitis.

Parasite

The first step in diagnosis is to exclude parasitic diseases. Check the skin for fleas, ticks, or external parasites such as mange and scabies. Fleas and ticks live on the surface of the skin, so check by visual inspection or using a flea handle.

Scabies and Demodex live deep in the skin, so do a skin scratch test, or a hair removal test. It is important to know whether you are taking flea and tick preventative measures and what type of preventive medication you are using.

Infectious diseases

The second diagnostic step is to rule out infectious diseases. This mainly checks for Staphylococcus and Malassezia infections. This test, called a skin imprint test, uses cellophane tape to imprint the surface of the skin.

The presence of Staphylococcus and Malassezia can be confirmed by staining it with a staining solution and observing it under a microscope. If no parasites or pathogens have been found so far, but you still feel itchy, you most likely have atopic dermatitis.

Food allergies

The third item to exclude is food. To diagnose whether you have a food allergy, we will perform an elimination diet test. The test involves feeding them only hypoallergenic food and water for two months, with an assessment of itchiness at the end of the test.

There are two types of hypoallergenic foods; one is novel protein foods, which are foods that use ingredients you have never eaten before. The other category is amino acid foods, which are therapeutic foods that undergo a special process called hydrolysis to reduce the molecular weight of the protein.

If the itching persists after eliminating the above three conditions, the possibility of atopic dermatitis is very high. According to the diagnostic criteria of atopic dermatitis guidelines,

Onset before 3 years of age

Indoor feeding

Itching caused by glucocorticoid preparations (steroids)

Chronic/recurrent Malassezia infection

Forelimb symptoms

Symptoms outside the auricle

Asymptomatic around the auricle

No symptoms on the back or lower back

If five of the eight criteria above are met, canine atopic dermatitis is likely.

As mentioned above, diagnosing atopic dermatitis takes time and effort. The shortcut to an accurate diagnosis is to examine the skin condition carefully and not to rush it.

While there is an allergy test (allergen-specific IgE test), it is important to understand that this test is not used to diagnose allergic dermatitis but to estimate allergens. Therefore, you should not assume that all foods that test positive for allergies are off limits. For your dog's health, be sure to test and choose what it can and cannot eat.

▊Treatment methods and types of drugs for dog allergies

The treatment of allergic dermatitis needs to be multi-faceted and has four key points.

Anti-Itching

The first treatment is to control itching. The symptom of allergic dermatitis is itching, so it is important to relieve itching. When dogs feel itchy, they naturally scratch. This can cause an inflammatory response and further worsen the itching. Once itching occurs, the itch cycle begins.

Treatments to suppress itching include oral medications and ointments, sometimes used in combination. Currently, oral medications that suppress itching include antihistamines, corticosteroids (steroids), cyclosporine (immunosuppressants), and oclacitinib (antipruritic).

Topical preparations include topical steroid preparations (sprays, lotions, creams, and ointments) and tacrolimus ointment. These medications usually require long-term use, so it's important to understand their effectiveness and side effects before using them. There are also immunotherapies that promise to improve your health, such as interferon therapy and desensitization therapy.

Measures to prevent secondary infection

The second step in treatment is to prevent secondary infection. In the case of allergic dermatitis, the skin barrier function is said to be weak. This often leads to the proliferation of Staphylococcus and Malassezia bacteria that normally reside on the skin.

If secondary infection occurs, the itching can be exacerbated, so shampoo treatments, disinfectants, and in some cases antibiotics and antifungals are used. In addition, daily moisturizing care is also important to enhance the skin's barrier function.

Improve the living environment

The third step in treatment is to improve the living environment. In addition to flea and tick prevention, you may also want to rethink your dog's walking routes. If you are allergic to house dust mites or pollen, installing an air purifier can also help reduce allergens.

Currently, there are sprays that can neutralize house dust mites. By examining your living environment, you may be able to keep your dog away from allergens.

Nutritional management

The fourth step of treatment is nutritional management, including diet. Proper diet is extremely important to protect skin health as humans may develop rough skin if they eat an unhealthy diet.

It would be better if it contains omega fatty acids 3 and 6, which are said to be effective against allergic dermatitis, and vitamins C and E, which have antioxidant effects.

As mentioned above, there are many aspects to consider when treating atopic dermatitis.

▊Measures and prevention methods for dog allergies

Atopic dermatitis has a genetic background, so its onset cannot be prevented. However, by understanding the disease, you can prevent it.

For example, it is important to "prevent fleas and ticks," "care for your pet's skin with regular shampoo," and "do not feed them treats that contain additives." Symptoms of atopic dermatitis often depend on the season and weather. Monitor your skin's condition daily and take action before it gets worse.

▊Finding the Right Treatment for Your Dog's Allergies

Atopic dermatitis is a disease that cannot be completely cured, so treatment will continue throughout the patient's lifetime. Dogs cannot take care of themselves, so owners have no choice but to take care of them.

It is therefore important to have a good understanding of the disease and its treatment. Dogs vary in personality, living environment, and owner lifestyle, so it's important to tailor treatment to the specific situation. It's best to consult your veterinarian and find a customized treatment that allows both dog and owner to live comfortably.