What is the age of onset for canine atopic dermatitis?
Between 6 months and 3 years
There is no sex predisposition for the condition.
Name breeds predisposed to canine atopic dermatitis.
The prevalence within a breed depends on the genetic pool and region.
What is the characteristic sign of canine atopic dermatitis?
Pruritus
Clinical signs may be seasonal, nonseasonal, or nonseasonal with seasonal flares.
List the most frequently affected areas in canine atopic dermatitis.
Lesion distribution can vary with the breed.
What are the primary lesions in canine atopic dermatitis?
Most lesions develop secondary to self-trauma and infections.
What are the common secondary infections associated with canine atopic dermatitis?
These infections often worsen clinical signs.
What are Favrot’s criteria for diagnosing canine atopic dermatitis?
At least five criteria must be present for a likely diagnosis.
True or false: Laboratory tests are the primary method for diagnosing canine atopic dermatitis.
FALSE
Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, history, and exclusion of other pruritic skin diseases.
What is the treatment goal for canine atopic dermatitis?
Improve quality of life
Atopic dermatitis cannot be cured but can be managed.
What are the management options for canine atopic dermatitis?
Management depends on the severity of clinical signs.
What is the role of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) in treating canine atopic dermatitis?
Change immune response to allergens
ASIT attempts to increase tolerance to environmental allergens.
What are the side effects of allergen-specific immunotherapy?
Most cases of increased pruritus respond to premedication with antihistamines.
What is the success rate of allergen-specific immunotherapy?
Approximately 66%
Some patients may require additional therapies.
What are the key points regarding canine atopic dermatitis?
The disease is characterized by pruritic allergic skin features.
What are congenital dermatoses of the skin in animals?
These anomalies may be present at birth or appear later as tardive developmental defects.
What is epitheliogenesis imperfecta?
A congenital discontinuity of squamous epithelium
It occurs in cattle, horses, and swine, and is associated with various congenital anomalies.
Which breeds of cattle are affected by epitheliogenesis imperfecta?
This condition is common in swine, presenting as large lesions at birth.
What are focal cutaneous hypoplasia and subcutaneous hypoplasia?
They manifest as skin depressions where skin layers fail to develop normally.
What is a nevus?
A circumscribed developmental defect of the skin
It may not become obvious until later in life.
What are dermoid sinuses or cysts?
They occur in Thoroughbred horses and Rhodesian Ridgebacks due to failure of the neural tube to separate from the epidermis.
What is alopecia?
Absence of hair
It is a common hereditary or congenital problem in animals.
What is hypotrichosis?
Less hair than expected
It is more common than alopecia and can develop in patterns.
What are some hereditary alopecia and hypotrichosis conditions in dogs?
These defects are often associated with dental anomalies.
What is color dilution alopecia?
A condition where affected dogs develop progressive folliculitis and hypotrichosis
It is most recognized in Doberman Pinschers and is linked to the gene variant mlph.