Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD), or Atopy, is a common health issue in dogs, affecting more than 10% of the population. It can affect any dog breed, no matter the size, coat type, or activity levels. However, some dog breeds, such as Vizslas or Boxers, are more prone to developing CAD than others. 

Canine Atopic Dermatitis

CAD is an allergic reaction similar to eczema in people. The symptoms show up on the skin, but they are not focused on one area. The word atopy means it’s not “contact-specific” meaning the symptoms can show up on any part of the skin not just the one that came in contact with the allergen. 

Atopy can also mean having a genetic predisposition to developing certain allergic reactions. In dogs, one of those reactions is developing CAD. It is a lifelong condition. 

Common Symptoms

The most common symptoms are:

• Itchiness
• Redness of the skin (may or may not be present)
• Loss of fur
• Damaged skin (may or may not be present)
• Rough skin (may or may not be present)

 The problem with Atopy and these symptoms is that the same set of signs can be seen in other skin-related diseases. The same symptoms can be seen in flea-treatment allergies, mange, flea allergies, food allergies, or allergic reactions to household chemicals. What does that mean?

It means the vet will most likely find a cause and make a diagnosis based on the process of elimination. By excluding other diseases, CAD is diagnosed. That’s why it is important to take your dog to the vet when you see one of these signs.

 It is not a life-threatening issue, but it can cause discomfort. Also, an untreated Atopy means the dog will lick or scratch the affected areas excessively leading to skin damage and consequential secondary infections. These secondary infections are often seen as rashes on the belly, at the base of the tail, or behind the front legs.

The intensity of symptoms also depends on the allergen and its presence. If it is a seasonal allergy, the itchiness and the intensity of symptoms will vary depending on the season. If the allergen is present all year round, the symptoms (especially itchiness) will always be of the same intensity.

The most common allergens are dust mites, pollen, mold, and dander. However, other allergens can be the reason for the allergic reaction as well.

What Causes Atopy?

Canine Atopic Dermatitis is considered to be genetic. That doesn’t mean that every dog with parents who had Atopy will develop the condition too. However, they will be more prone to it. According to the study done on Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers, half of puppies from Atopic parents develop the issue too.

In essence, the outer layer of a dog’s skin (called the epidermis) is not functioning well or is defective which leads to an overreaction when it comes in contact with an allergen. This overreaction is shown as itchiness. Itchiness is an inflammatory reaction which is the root of any allergic reactions.

Important: Atopy can be caused by behavioral issues. Dogs under a lot of stress, anxious dogs, or bored dogs with high energy and nothing to do can develop CAD. However, before consulting any behaviorist it is important to take your dog to the vet first. Any good behaviorist will recommend this as your first step! Only when we mend the body, can we try to help with the behavior.

What To Do?

When you notice your dog has been scratching himself a lot lately, no matter if you see the redness of the skin or not, take your dog to a vet check-up. We can’t deal with the issue if we don’t know for certain what it is. That’s why we need professional help – the vet.

As mentioned before, the vet will use the process of elimination to conclude it is Atopy. The process of elimination means conducting a physical examination, or taking a swab or scraping from the affected area. 

Your vet will also most likely ask you questions about the everyday life of your dog – where it goes, what food you give him, and what are the habits. Unfortunately, there are no special CAD tests so a full examination is the option.

What Is The Treatment?

The treatment depends on the dog. Each case is unique and should be approached differently. Because the allergic reaction is not confined to one spot on the body, it is not easy to determine what causes the reaction. That’s why, oftentimes, different approaches are used.

The treatment may include:

• Topical treatment (creams and ointments for the skin)
• Oral medication (e.g. corticosteroids, antihistamines, etc.)
• Allergen-specific immunotherapy (injections based on specific allergen)
• Allergen avoidance
• Addressing the behavior

Sometimes more than one treatment option will be used. Even if we find out what is the cause of the Atopy or what is the allergen causing it, this is a lifelong health issue. We can do what’s best to help a dog’s body cope with the reaction, but we can’t forever “shut it down”. This is especially important when a dog is allergic to a very common allergen, such as dust mites or pollen. We can’t isolate a dog. They will have to come in contact with the allergen sometime.

Breeds Prone To Atopy

As mentioned, some dog breeds are more prone to Atopy than others. These dog breeds also often have a genetic predisposition to developing CAD. The breeds are:

• Labrador Retriever
• Golden Retriever
• Vizsla
• Boxer
• Basset Hound
• Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Shar Pei
• French Bulldog
• English Springer Spaniel
• West Highland White Terriers
• Bull Terrier
• Bichon Frise
• Tibetan Terrier

Although these dogs are prone to the condition, any dog breed can develop Canine Atopic Dermatitis.

Final Thoughts

When you first find out that your dog has Atopy, the treatment can seem futile. But, it is important to remember that it is a lifelong treatment. It can’t disappear overnight and it needs lots of patience from our side. The good thing is that it can be kept under control and prevent secondary infections from dogs scratching the itchy skin.

After you and your vet eliminate the physical issues, pay attention to your dog’s behavior. Are you sure your dog gets enough mental and physical stimulation every day? Stress can often exhibit anxiety in dogs and anxiety can lead to skin problems – itchiness, scratching, rash, etc. It is worth trying behavioral therapy as well.

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