Some of the most common diseases in humans can also be suffered by dogs. Among them osteoarthritis, cataracts, cancer or atopic dermatitis. Today we are going to talk to you about the latter.
To begin, we are going to clarify what exactly canine atopic dermatitis, also known as CAD, consists of. It is a chronic disease that affects the skin of dogs, which reacts to contact with certain allergens such as mites, fertilizers, dander, pollen, mold and even materials such as wool or feathers.
Although it is not known exactly what its origin is, there is something that experts agree on, and that is its genetic component that predisposes certain dogs to develop the disease. Likewise, it is most likely that it affects young dogs , although the truth is that those that are already adults can also suffer it. It is estimated that between 10% and 15% of dogs are susceptible to dermatitis.
Some of the breeds most prone to dermatitis are the following:
- Boxer.
- Labrador.
- Dalmatian.
- West highland white terrier.
- Setter.
- German shepherd.
- Shar pei.
- French bulldog
Once this is clarified, we are going to tell you how to identify the symptoms. In general, they usually appear in the first months of the dog’s life (between the third and sixth) although they can go unnoticed. It won’t be until the disease progresses that they start to be really noticeable.
In this sense, we must emphasize that the most important sign of this disease is the constant scratching of the skin as a result of itching. Often, the injuries derived from this gesture are located in the most sensitive areas of the dog, such as the armpits, neck, face, interdigital spaces, inner surface of the ears, abdomen, groin, tail, etc.
These are some of the symptoms:
- Thicker and darker skin.
- Ear infection.
- Inflamed and irritated ears.
- Coat shedding
- Frequent licking.
- Crying eyes.
- Discoloration of the skin.
- Skin injuries such as wounds, scars, or scabs.
- Crying eyes.
- Allergic rhinitis.
- Rubbing the skin.
As we always insist from Muy Pets, this information is for guidance only, if you observe any of these symptoms, the ideal is that you take it to the vet to make a diagnosis and implement the appropriate measures. Of course, this disease, although it may seem otherwise, is not easy to diagnose since its symptoms are very similar to those of other skin problems.
Although it is a chronic disease, the presence of allergens can be reduced once identified to provide a better quality of life for the dog. Likewise, other methods for its treatment are based on the administration of corticosteroids, which should not be used for long periods of time because they can have certain side effects.
In addition to strict veterinary control and the administration of corticosteroids , there are certain things you can do to help your dog cope with the disease:
- Provide him with a good diet. The best feed are those that are formulated based on more natural products, for example, those that contain rice and fish.
- Washing with special shampoos.
- Aloe vera gel and omega-6 fatty acids are beneficial for the lipid layer of the animal.
- Control of internal parasites, since the flea bite can cause complications and lead to DAPP (Flea Bite Atopic Dermatitis).
- Avoid materials such as wool or feathers from coming into contact with your dog’s skin. Instead, cotton will be much more beneficial to him.
- Minimize the use of chemical compounds for the home or garden. You can replace them with natural products such as lemon in the case of interior cleaning. In this sense, we must place special emphasis on the importance of proper home hygiene and it will be necessary to vacuum every day , because doing so eliminates dead hair and mites, among other allergens.
- Try to brush her hair every day. In this way, you eliminate potential allergens such as dander and pollen.
During the spring, the pollen concentration is higher in the morning and in the afternoon, so you should avoid walking your dog during those times of the day. Ideally, do it in the middle of the morning or even at night.
