What is Atopy?
Present in an estimated 10% to 15% of dogs, atopic dermatitis causes not only an irritating itch and reddened patches of skin, but many other secondary symptoms as well. These can include ear infections, bacterial skin infections, and other skin issues that are exacerbated by the self-trauma of inflicted dogs trying to scratch that itch. Diagnosis can be difficult, but once an allergy has been found, treatments can usually help to manage the symptoms.
Atopy, or atopic dermatitis, is itchy skin that is caused by an allergic response to an inhaled environmental allergen. Atopy is the second most common allergy in dogs, after flea allergies.
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Symptoms of Atopy in Dogs
- Itching on affected skin areas, frequently face, ears, feet, armpits, front legs, and abdomen
- Reddened patches of skin
- Lesions on affected skin areas
- Raised pimples or swellings on affected areas
Secondary symptoms from your dog’s self-trauma to stop the itch of atopy can include:
- Excoriation, or the constant picking at skin
- Fur stained from saliva
- Scale formation on skin
- Alopecia
- Patches of leathery skin
- Hyperpigmentation, or darkened patches of skin
- Hemorrhagic crusts
- Skin infections, such as Staphylococcal and Malassezia, a type of yeast that lives on the skin
- Ear infections
Causes of Atopy in Dogs
There is one primary cause of atopic dermatitis in dogs, which is exposure to allergens. Some breeds may be predisposed to atopic dermatitis. These include:
- Golden and Labrador Retrievers
- Chinese Shar-Pei
- Wirehaired, Scottish, Boston and West Highland Terriers
- Dalmatian
- Boxer
- Lhasa Apso
- Shih Tzu
Diagnosis of Atopy in Dogs
The diagnosis of atopy can be difficult because many of its symptoms are typical of other conditions, such as parasites, food allergies, flea allergies and microbial infections. Consequently, the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is often in conjunction with ruling out these other conditions.
Many factors are taken into account, such as if the onset of symptoms started before your dog was 3 years of age, the symptoms that are present, and medical history.
If an environmental allergy is suspected, allergy testing can be one of two ways. Intradermal testing involves injecting a small amount of different allergens into the skin of your dog to see if one produces a response, meaning your dog is allergic to it. A serologic test, also called an IgE allergy test, will look for the presence of certain antibodies in a blood sample, which can determine a specific allergen.
Treatment of Atopy in Dogs
Atopic dermatitis can be a lifelong condition that generally cannot be cured. But there are many ways to treat the symptoms and lower your dog’s allergic response. Treatments are often done in combinations to strengthen their results, such as one main core treatment along with supporting treatments.
Core Treatments
Immunotherapy is the only treatment that can cause symptoms to go into remission, and in rare cases, can possibly cure the allergy. This involves multiple injections or drops with increasing levels of the allergen to increase the immune system’s tolerance of that allergen. This treatment seems to work best for those dogs with a seasonal atopic dermatitis. In very rare cases, anaphylaxis can occur.
Cyclosporine is a drug that is most often used in organ transplants to prevent rejection. For allergy sufferers, it can help modulate the immune system. As an immunosuppressive agent, cyclosporine inhibits the activations of immune cells, thus stopping the allergic response that causes symptoms. Side effects of this drug may include diarrhea and vomiting.
Other drugs that may be prescribed to suppress the itch of atopy are Oclacitinib and CADI.
Supportive Treatments
If a specific allergen has been identified, avoiding or limiting exposure is the best way to prevent an atopic reaction.
Controlling the itch of atopy can be done in a number of ways. Antipruritic drugs may be prescribed, which may include otic corticosteroids for ear infections, topical hydrocortisone or triamcinolone sprays, or oral steroids. Omega essential fatty acids may also be recommended, as can oral antihistamines.
Bathing can not only combat the itch, but can also improve the skin barrier, causing less of the allergens to make their way in. Use shampoos and leave in conditioners that are antimicrobial, antibacterial, antipruritic, and contain ceramides.
Treatment must also include treating any secondary conditions, such as microbial and bacterial infections. Antibiotics or antifungal medications can be prescribed for this reason.
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Recovery of Atopy in Dogs
Once you and your veterinarian have decided on a treatment plan, implementation may take many treatments over a lengthy amount of time to be effective. Any core treatments will likely need multiple visits to the clinic, and can include at home oral or topical dosages. Monitor your dog and report any flare-ups of symptoms to your veterinarian.
Supportive therapies will mostly be done at home, and can include antibiotics, oral antihistamines, topical medications, and medicinal baths. Topical lipid skin treatments containing ceramides can help to repair damaged skin. A diet high in omega essential fatty acids has been seen to relieve symptoms.
Limiting or preventing exposure to the allergen can be difficult, but is the best way to stop the atopic dermatitis from reoccurring once is has cleared. Wiping off the feet and other exposed skin areas after outside contact with a damp cloth or antibacterial wipes can reduce an allergic reaction.
Atopy Average Cost
From 384 quotes ranging from $500 - $2,000
Average Cost
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Top
Atopy Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Shih Tzu
Zoe
11 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Odor
Hair Loss
Licking Paws
Bumps
Ear Infection
Pink Warts
Our dog started having skin issues when she was about 3 years old. She has had many ear infections, hair loss, blackened skin on tummy, growths on skin, scabs on back, pink growths (warts?) on legs & feet, bumps filled with thick pus-like substance. She smells like a stale Frito even a day after bathing and feels sticky & oily. One vet told me she has a systematic yeast infection.She had a episode of hives (2012) after being in grass at the vets and he immediately gave her a steroid shot. She was on prednisone for a couple years. We changed her food, tried making her food to know make sure she had no ingredients that would cause yeast overgrowths. We have tried numerous foods & products (N'Zymes). She was put on Apoquel 5.4mg 1/2 tab starting in 9/2016 and seemed to be doing great until now. She is back to being miserable and worse than two years ago. People have recommended CYTOPOINT or Ketoconazole as an option...what are your thoughts?
July 20, 2018
3 Recommendations
Medications like Apoquel (oclacitinib), Cytopoint and Atopica (cyclosporine) all work for atopy in dogs and work with different mechanisms of action; it is really down to your Veterinarian to determine which medication is the most suitable for Zoe based on her overall symptoms and severity. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/making-difference-dogs-with-atopic-dermatitis-when-use-apoquel-and-when-use-cytopoint
July 20, 2018
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miniature poodle
Zuki and Rocket
11 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
Odor
Skin Crust
Licking
Hair Loss
Biting
Bumps
Elephant Skin
Yeast Odor
What else can we do for our dogs? We have tried everything for our dogs, and we see improvement at times but then they get bad again. We take them to the vet for medications, including vaccines and multiple medications to help their skin flaking and itching. We have changed their food and have been adding oils to the food to help their skin. They wear suits as well to cover their skin, called Shed Defenders. The vet feels that we are at the end of the treatment and are unsure if there is anything else we can do to help them. We have a date set to be euthanized since they are old and we are hitting an end in possible ways to help them but they are running, eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom as usual. We are struggling and are desperate for answers onto if there is something we could be missing that is obvious to help them.
July 13, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
I'm sorry that you are having this problem with both dogs. Possible things to help may include regular flea control, and there are medications to control allergies such as Apoquel and CADI injections. Without knowing more about the history of your dogs and what has been tried or not, it is hard for me to comment on what more can be done. It might be a good idea to seek a second opinion, or see a dermatologist before considering euthanasia, as there may be something more that can be done.
July 13, 2018
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American Cocker Spaniel
Diesel
12 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Lethargy
Licking Paws
Bad Smell
Sore Feet
Nail Loss
My American Cocker Spaniel is 12 years old, he started constantly licking one of his paws, then started licking all of them until they became infected and sore and could hardly walk. Since then he has lost weight, started losing his hair, is lethargic and smells really bad. This has been going on for months now and I don’t know what to do, he is not the same dog as he once was, he also tries to bite me when I stop him from licking his paws.
Atopy Average Cost
From 384 quotes ranging from $500 - $2,000
Average Cost
$1,200
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