Atopic dermatitis
Sue Paterson
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a common genetically predisposed inflammatory and pruritic disease. CAD is a diagnosis made by the exclusion of other pruritic skin diseases such as ectoparasites, and other allergies such as flea bite hypersensitivity, and cutaneous adverse food reaction. Nurses can play an important part in helping to investigate the underlying causes of pruritus in dogs, it is therefore important they have a good working knowledge of the clinical presentation of this common disease and the appropriate diagnostic tests that are routinely used to help rule out other causes of pruritus. Therapy can include systemic medication such as essential fatty acids, antihistamines, glucocorticoids, ciclosporine, Janus kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies to IL31 and allergen specific immunotherapy.


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