References

Anderson PC, Dinulos JG. Are the new moisturizers more effective?. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2009; 21:(4)486-90 https://doi.org/10.1097/MOP.0b013e32832cfd3b

Bensignor EJ, Fabriès LJ. Use of antipruritic and rehydrating foams on localized lesions of atopic dermatitis in dogs: a small-scale pilot and comparative double-blinded study. Vet Dermatol. 2018; 29:(5)446-e150 https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12675

Blaskovic M, Rosenkrantz W, Neuber A, Sauter-Louis C, Mueller RS. The effect of a spot-on formulation containing polyunsaturated fatty acids and essential oils on dogs with atopic dermatitis. Vet J. 2014; 199:(1)39-43 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.10.024

Bond R, Lloyd DH. A double-blind comparison of olive oil and a combination of evening primrose oil and fish oil in the management of canine atopy. Vet Rec. 1992; 131:(24)558-60

Bond R, Lloyd D. Combined treatment with concentrated essential fatty acids and prednisolone in the management of canine atopy. Vet Rec. 1994; 134:(2)30-2 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.134.2.30

Cook CP, Scott DW, Miller WH, Kirker JE, Cobb SM. Treatment of canine atopic dermatitis with cetirizine, a second generation antihistamine: a single-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Can Vet J. 2004; 45:(5)414-17

Danby S, Cork MJ. A new understanding of atopic dermatitis: the role of epidermal barrier dysfunction and subclinical inflammation. J. Clin Dermatol. 2010; 1:33-46

DeBoer DJ, Griffin CE. The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (XXI): antihistamine pharmacotherapy. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2001; 81:(3-4)323-9 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-2427(01)00306-3

Feily A, Namazi MR. Aloe vera in dermatology: a brief review. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2009; 144:(1)85-91

Fujimura M, Nakatsuji Y, Fujiwara S, Rème C, Gatto H. Spot-on skin lipid complex as an adjunct therapy in dogs with atopic dermatitis: an open pilot study. Vet Med Int. 2011; 2011:1-5 https://doi.org/10.4061/2011/281846

Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS. Zinc therapy in dermatology - a review. Dermatol Res Pract. 2014; 2014 https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152

Hobi S, Klinger C, Classen J, Mueller RS. The effects of a topical lipid complex therapy on dogs with atopic dermatitis: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Vet Dermatol. 2017; 28:(4)369-e84 https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12430

Hill PB, Lo A, Eden CA, Huntley S Survey of the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of dermatological conditions in small animals in general practice. Vet Rec. 2006; 158:(16)533-9

Hsiao YH, Chen C, Willemse T. Effects of cetirizine in dogs with chronic atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Vet Sci. 2016; 17:(4)549-53 https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2016.17.4.549

Linek M, Favrot C. Impact of canine atopic dermatitis on the health-related quality of life of affected dogs and quality of life of their owners. Vet Dermatol. 2010; 21:(5)456-462 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2010.00899.x

Marsella R, Olivry T, Carlotti DN Current evidence of skin barrier dysfunction in human and canine atopic dermatitis. Vet Dermatol. 2011; 22:(3)239-48 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2011.00967.x

Marsella R. Fixing the skin barrier: past, present and future - man and dog compared. Vet Dermatol. 2013; 24:(1)73-e18 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2012.01073.x

Marsella R, Cornegliani L, Ozmen I, Bohannon M, Ahrens K, Santoro D. Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study on the effects of topical blackcurrant emulsion enriched in essential fatty acids, ceramides and 18-beta glycyrrhetinic acid on clinical signs and skin barrier function in dogs with atopic dermati. Vet Dermatol. 2017; 28:(6)577-e140 https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12467

Müller MR, Linek M, Löwenstein C, Röthig A, Doucette K, Thorstensen K, Mueller RS. Evaluation of cyclosporine-sparing effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis. Vet J. 2016; 210:77-81 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.11.012

Olivry T, Marsella R, Hillier A. The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (XXIII): are essential fatty acids effective?. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2001; 81:(3-4)347-62 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-2427(01)00316-6

Olivry T, Mueller RS Evidence-based veterinary dermatology: a systematic review of the pharmacotherapy of canine atopic dermatitis. Vet Dermatol. 2003; 14:(3)121-46 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3164.2003.00335.x

Olivry T, Foster AP, Mueller RS, McEwan NA, Chesney C, Williams HC. Interventions for atopic dermatitis in dogs: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Vet Dermatol. 2010; 21:(1)4-22 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2009.00784.x

Paterson S. Additive benefits of EFAs in dogs with atopic dermatitis after partial response to antihistamine therapy. J Small Anim Pract. 1995; 36:(9)389-94 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.1995.tb02961.x

Piekutowska A, Pin D, Rème CA, Gatto H, Haftek M. Effects of a topically applied preparation of epidermal lipids on the stratum corneum barrier of atopic dogs. J Comp Pathol. 2008; 138:(4)197-203 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpa.2008.01.006

Popa I, Pin D, Remoué N Analysis of epidermal lipids in normal and atopic dogs, before and after administration of an oral omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid feed supplement. A pilot study. Vet Res Commun. 2011; 35:(8)501-9 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-011-9493-7

Popa I, Remoue N, Osta B The lipid alterations in the stratum corneum of dogs with atopic dermatitis are alleviated by topical application of a sphingolipid-containing emulsion. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2012; 37:(6)665-71 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2230.2011.04313.x

Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin. J Drugs Dermatol. 2015; 14:(1)43-8

Saevik BK, Bergvall K, Holm BR A randomized, controlled study to evaluate the steroid sparing effect of essential fatty acid supplementation in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis. Vet Dermatol. 2004; 15:(3)137-45 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2004.00378.x

Scarff D, Lloyd D. Double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of evening primrose oil in the treatment of canine atopy. Vet Rec. 1992; 131:(5)97-9 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.131.5.97

Scott DW, Miller WH, Decker GA, Wellington JR. Comparison of the clinical efficacy of two commercial fatty acid supplements (EfaVet and DVM Derm Caps), evening primrose oil, and cold water marine fish oil in the management of allergic pruritus in dogs: a double-blinded study. Cornell Vet. 1992; 82:(3)319-29

Scott DW, Miller WH Antihistamines in the management of allergic pruritus in dogs and cats. J Small Anim Pract. 1999; 40:(8)359-64 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.1999.tb03099.x

Sture G, Lloyd D. Canine atopic disease: therapeutic use of an evening primrose oil and fish oil combination. Vet Rec. 1995; 137:(7)169-70 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.137.7.169

Zur G, Ihrke PJ, White SD, Kass PH. Antihistamines in the management of canine atopic dermatitis: a retrospective study of 171 dogs (1992-1998). Vet Ther. 2002; 3:(1)88-96

Wound care

Canine atopic dermatitis — the veterinary ‘eczema’ nurse

02 July 2019
Clinical
10 mins read
02 July 2019
Volume 10 · Issue 6

Abstract

In human medicine many NHS hospitals employ ‘eczema specialist’ nurses. These are nurses with additional training that help individuals diagnosed with eczema to manage their own disease and can provide them with the information and support to improve their quality of life. Veterinary nurses as part of a Vet-led Team also have the opportunity to help their clients in a similar way, by advising owners on the best way to manage their allergic pets. In order to provide that support nurses need a thorough grounding in many of the supplementary therapies that can be prescribed by veterinary surgeons as part of a multi-modal approach to allergic skin disease. Supplementary drugs that can be added into a treatment regimen with foundation drugs such as allergen specific immunotherapy, ciclosporine, glucocorticoids, lokivetmab and oclacitinib include drugs such as antihistamines, essential fatty acids and topical therapy in the form of moisturisers.

Pruritic skin disease is a common and frustrating problem encountered in primary care veterinary practice. One report by Hill (2006) indicated that pruritic skin disease accounted for 30–40% of dermatological problems in first opinion practice. Veterinary nurses play a dual role in the management of pruritic skin disease, to both help with the investigative process and also to advise owners on supplementary therapy that can help to make their pet more comfortable. While the presence of ectoparasites and infection are important causes of pruritus in the dog, once these and a food allergy (now more accurately referred to as cutaneous adverse food reactions, CAFR) have been ruled out, a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis can be made by exclusion. Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) has been shown to affect the quality of life of both dog and owner (Linek and Favrot, 2010), not just because of the intense irritation that many dogs suffer with CAD, but because of the chronic nature of the disease and the tendency for dogs to have repeated relapses even though they may appear to be well controlled for long periods. The author is a strong advocate of veterinary nurse dermatology clinics to help support owners and manage their pet's skin disease.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting The Veterinary Nurse and reading some of our peer-reviewed content for veterinary professionals. To continue reading this article, please register today.

Register
Or continue by

Signing in with your registered email address

antihistamines
essential fatty acids
topical therapy
canine atopic dermatitis (CAD)