Canine atopic dermatitis is a more common skin disease in dogs than you might think and can affect dogs of different breeds. One of the main characteristics of this condition is intense itching, which may or may not be accompanied by redness in the area. In other words, it is basically like a type of dog allergy. Although it is not a very serious skin disease, canine atopic dermatitisneeds attention because it can considerably interfere with the quality of life of animals.

But what are the main causes of the problem? Besides itching, what other symptoms can be observed? When a dog has canine atopic dermatitis, is home treatment a good option? To clear up all doubts on the subject, the Paws of the House has gathered the most important information about skin disease in dogs - check it out!

What is canine atopic dermatitis and how does it affect dogs?

Atopic dermatitis in dogs is a chronic inflammatory disease that makes animals more sensitive to some allergens. It can be caused by different reasons and causes an intense itching condition in patients. This allergic reaction usually occurs after the dog has come into contact with certain substances considered harmful to pets, such as cleaning chemicals, or other antigenspresent in the environment, such as dust, pollen and mites.

Canine atopic dermatitis is a hereditary disease. This means that it is genetically transmitted from parents to offspring, so the chances of puppies developing the same condition as their parents are quite high if one of them has atopic dermatitis. Because it is considered a disease of genetic origin, there is no risk of contagion through contact of a sick pet with a sick pet.The same goes for humans, who will not develop the problem if the dog has canine atopic dermatitis - although the same disease exists in human medicine.

The great danger of atopic dermatitis in dogs is that, if there is no proper treatment and control of symptoms, the disease can evolve into other types of infections that can further compromise the dog's quality of life. So be sure to watch for any abnormalities in your dog's body and keep veterinary appointments up to date.

Atopic dermatitis: are pedigree dogs more prone to the problem?

Because it is a disease that is genetically propagated, some dog breeds are more predisposed to developing canine atopic dermatitis. They are:

• Shih tzu
• Maltese
• Lhasa Apso
• English Bulldog
• Labrador
• Golden Retriever
• Boxer
• Dachshund
• German Shepherd
• Belgian Shepherd
• Boston Terrier
• Cocker Spaniel
• Doberman

If your puppy is part of this list, it is important to pay extra attention to the symptoms of skin disease in dogs, especially after contact with certain substances. If your dog is allergic, it will need appropriate treatment to control the problem. It is worth noting that it is rare for the condition to manifest in dogs without a defined breed (SRD), but not impossible.

10 symptoms of canine atopic dermatitis to watch out for

1. Intense itching
2. Redness
3. Hair loss
4. Skin lesions
5. Scaling
6. Skin and hair discoloration
7. Darkening of the site
8. Lacrimation
9. Allergic rhinitis
10. Ear infections

It is worth remembering that, as a result of intense itching, canine atopic dermatitis can also trigger situations such as the dog licking or biting excessively the paws and affected region. This type of compulsive attitude even needs a lot of attention, as it can end up causing several wounds on the pet's body. It is also important to be aware of other changes, such as the formation of edema and other symptoms.lumps in more sensitive areas, such as the dog's face and inside the ears.

How is the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis in dogs made?

If you notice one or more symptoms of a skin disease in a dog, do not hesitate to make an appointment with a vet as soon as possible! A professional diagnosis is very important to treat your pet in the right way. But how do vets identify atopic allergy? Does a dog need to undergo specific tests for it? Unlike other diseases,diagnosing atopic dermatitis in dogs is not so easy - especially since various allergens can trigger the skin disease in dogs and there are many other conditions that have itching as one of their symptoms.

The condition is usually confirmed from the exclusion of other types of dermatitis, so observation by the guardian is essential for the diagnosis to be made. However, some complementary tests may also be indicated for safety to confirm the presence of the disease, such as intradermal, immunological or serological skin tests. Everything will depend on the evaluation of the guardian.Veterinary.

Canine atopic dermatitis: treatment consists of controlling symptoms

Unfortunately, there is no cure for atopic dermatitis in dogs, but ongoing treatment supervised by your veterinarian will help ease the symptoms and improve the quality of life of your four-legged friend. The type of treatment for canine atopic dermatitis will depend on the health condition of your pooch. The use of antihistamines or corticosteroids are usually the main treatments.ways to treat allergic reactions in times of crisis, and should be prescribed exclusively by the veterinarian. If the patient has secondary infections, it is also necessary to treat them with specific drugs.

In addition to remedies for atopic dermatitis in dogs, some products may be indicated and can help in the treatment - such as canine dermatitis shampoo, which should be used when bathing the dog. Hypoallergenic pet food and other foods are also a way to control the skin disease, depending on the case, as some ingredients can trigger allergic reactions in dogs.

Canine atopic dermatitis: does home remedy work?

Ideally, you should strictly follow all the recommendations given by your veterinarian about canine atopic dermatitis, giving priority to specific medications and other care with your dog's routine. However, there are some home treatment options that reduce inflammatory reactions in the canine body and can help improve the quality of life and well-being of the pet.Some options are to use coconut oil and other vegetable oils - such as almond oil - to bathe the dog. Coconut oil, for example, acts as an antiseptic and is able to soothe potentially irritated skin. Almond oil is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic. But remember: before opting for any home remedy or natural recipe, talk to a veterinarianto answer all your questions and find out the best way to include the practices in the treatment for canine atopic dermatitis.