Day 1: Exploring Canine Allergic Dermatitis: Clinical Presentations, Diagnostics, and Treatment

Session: Exploring Canine Allergic Dermatitis: Clinical Presentations, Diagnostics, and Treatment

Presenter: Andrew Simpson, DVM, MS, DACVD

Session Description: 

Allergic skin disease is among the most common reasons for owners to present their dogs to the veterinarian. The three main categories of canine allergic skin disease include flea bite hypersensitivity, food allergy, and atopic dermatitis (environmental allergies). Determining a definitive diagnosis within allergic dermatitis involves a process of ruling out other causes of itchiness (pruritus), as a simple, rapid, and reliable diagnostic test does not exist to establish a diagnosis of allergic dermatitis, let alone a specific type of allergy. Understanding key historical descriptions by the owner, recognizing clinical signs consistent with allergic dermatitis, as well as performing an appropriate allergy diagnostic workup is essential for arriving at a diagnosis. In cases of atopic dermatitis, long-term management with one or more therapies is needed for the life of the canine patient. 

Learning objectives
1.    Understand the clinical presentation and terminology used to describe cutaneous lesions of canine allergic dermatitis. 
2.    Understand the diagnostic work-up involved in determining a definitive diagnosis of flea bite allergy, food allergy, and atopic dermatitis. 
3.    Understand the main treatments recommended for dogs with atopic dermatitis.