"Yes, skin really is a tricky subject," says DVM Claudia Schütz, a dermatology vet in Rheinfelden. "The big, big challenge is to find the cause - because there are so many possibilities." The dermatologist often sees patients who are referred to her by other practices. "Of course, there are simple and less simple cases. Treatment is not always as lengthy as you might initially think," she adds. "The aim, especially with atopic dermatitis, is to control the condition, not to cure it. Very often you have to follow through long-term with various therapies, skin care, and sometimes diet."
So itchy! Atopic dermatitis and its treatment
11 September 2023 — by Linn Masch
Delicate skin? When dermatological problems arise, patients, owners and vets are often faced with a mountain of questions: What is the cause? Is this a case for a specialist practice?
Let's take a closer look at atopic dermatitis - and what options for action the diagnosis entails. Affected cats and dogs usually have a hereditary predisposition for this disease. The pathogenesis is comparable to atopic dermatitis in humans. Atopic refers to the genetic predisposition to develop an allergy to harmless substances from the environment.
Cats and dogs can react to many different allergens
- House dust
- Mites: house dust mite
- Pollen and grasses
- Molds
- Insects
Symptoms often occur in the first few years of a patient's life and can be seasonal or year-round, depending on the trigger. For example, atopic dermatitis that is triggered by grasses or trees, can occur more frequently in spring and summer, whereas an allergy to house dust mites can occur all year round. Initially, the disease often occurs seasonally, but patients often show year-round symptoms as the disease progresses.
Food-induced atopic dermatitis
Food-induced atopic dermatitis, often referred to as food allergies, is another possible trigger for atopic dermatitis in cats and dogs. It is often diagnosed with the help of an exclusion diet.
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis
- Pruritus: especially on the muzzle, paws and belly
- Erythema
- Alopecia
- Secondary infections
- Dandruff
- Crusts
- Skin lesions
Vielmals sind die vom Juckreiz betroffenen Hautareale gerötet und durch Pusteln gekennzeichnet.
The most obvious symptom of atopic dermatitis is itching. This can occur recurrently or chronically due to various triggers and can therefore be seasonal or year-round. It is mainly characterized by scratching and licking and even gnawing of the muzzle, including the ears, paws, armpits and stomach. Other areas of the body may also be affected by pruritus. The areas of skin affected by itching are often reddened and distinguished by pustules. Progressive excessive pruritus can lead to skin lesions with secondary infections. Bacteria and yeasts often play a role here. Other possible symptoms such as alopecia, scaly skin, crusts, hyperpigmentation of the affected skin areas and, in cases of persistent atopic dermatititis, hot spots. Otitis or conjunctivitis can also be caused by scratching. Food-induced atopic dermatitis sometimes manifests with diarrhea as an additional symptom.
Therapy
- Avoidance of the allergens
- Desensitization - immunotherapy
- Local therapy
- Systemic therapy
- Regular parasite prophylaxis - flea prophylaxis
- Feeding
The first measure of therapy is to avoid or eliminate the trigger in order to reduce the allergen load for the patient. Furthermore, the therapy consists of long-term individual management for each animal and the specific trigger of the disease. Desensitization may be an option if the disease persists throughout the year without seasonal variation. In addition to treating the symptoms with medication such as antihistamines or cortisone, local therapy to support the skin barrier is also important. This can include cleaning and washing your pet with suitable products to remove allergens and soothe the irritated skin. In addition to cleansing, shampoos can have a stabilizing and nourishing effect on the skin barrier. Sprays or lotions are also useful to moisturize the skin and thus strengthen its resistance. It is also important not to neglect monthly flea prophylaxis, as flea saliva can often be a potential allergy trigger. Feeding is an additional point in the management of atopic dermatitis. It makes sense to stick to one type of food and treats and, if possible, to switch to a hypoallergenic diet. Supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids to stabilize the skin is also beneficial. Preparations made from algae or fish oil are ideal here.
