Skin symptoms can develop in a dog at any age and some of breed are more predisposed, such as Shar Pei, West Highland White Terrier and Bishon Frise:  

• Scratching the skin  

• Licking of the body, especially the paws   

• Biting the skin  

• Hair loss  

• Rubbing against the floor  

• Watery eyes  

• Cuts  

• Scabs  

• Open wounds  

• Foul odour   

The most affected areas include ears, underarms, groin, paws, around the eyes, ankles and muzzles.  

Always take your dog to your vet to examine his/her skin, particularly if you think he/she might have a skin allergy, as skin conditions can get worse over time if left untreated.  

There is no specific test for atopic dermatitis. To reach the diagnosis all other causes of itchiness need to be ruled out. The first major cause of itchiness is ectoparasites i.e. fleas and mites. Unless your dog is on monthly flea and mite treatment, we will need to rule out parasites with skin scrapes, hair plucks and possibly skin biopsies. If these come back negative, then all causes of itchiness by parasites have been ruled out. The second possibility is an allergy to food which affects 25% of itchy dogs. Skin signs are the most common problem however your dog may also have slightly loose stools or may occasionally go off their food or be sick.  

To rule out a food allergy we have to perform a diet trial. This requires your dog to eat only one type of food for 6 weeks and this diet needs to be a protein they have never had before or a hydrolysed diet where the protein has been broken down into very small molecules. If there is no response to the diet trial, then a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis can be made.  

The treatment will depend on the severity of the signs. One of the first steps is eliminating or reducing exposure to the allergens causing dermatitis. If you are unable to identify the irritants, use a process of elimination by removing the environmental factors that have the potential to trigger an outbreak. Diet, bedding, even the general environment in which the dog is exposed to may need to be changed. However, if your dog is itchy all year round then we will need to take further steps to keep them comfortable: 

Topical therapies 
Topical therapies can help remove allergens, moisturise the skin, and treat secondary bacterial and yeast infections. These products include shampoos, rinses, mousses and medicated wipes. Some products like sprays also contain antihistamines and corticosteroids to help reduce inflammation.  

Oral medications  
Oral medications can help reduce inflammation:   

• Corticosteroids (e.g. prednisolone) are very effective and can be given in acute flare-ups. Because they are associated with side-effects, it is best to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible and then switch to other medications.   

• Oclacitinib (Apoquel) is a newer medication that is very effective in providing relief to itchy dogs and also has fewer side effects than corticosteroids.   

• Cyclosporine is effective in reducing itchiness and has fewer side effects than corticosteroids.   

• Antihistamines (e.g. hydroxyzine, diphenhydramine, cetirizine) can be useful to prevent mild itchiness, but are less effective when excessive itchiness is already present.    

Injectable medications    

• Lokivetmab (Cytopoint) is given by subcutaneous injection usually every 4-8 weeks to reduce itching.  

Immunotherapy 
Immunotherapy is also another option available for dogs. It’s a series of allergy shots that contain the allergens your dog is sensitive to and is administered with the intention of building tolerance to the allergen. The treatment can reduce the symptoms, especially in dogs who start treatment when they are younger. But results usually are not immediate. It can take anywhere from 6-9 months for noticeable results.  

Other treatments 

• Essential fatty acid (EFA) supplements can be used in conjunction with other therapies.  

• Antibiotics may be warranted under certain circumstances.  

It’s impossible to avoid allergens completely (your dog will have to go outside at some point), but they’re controllable with medical and home remedies, especially when inside. Keeping your home ventilated will minimise the risk of an allergic reaction. Ultimately go to your vet if your dog has a skin issue.   

Atopy can negatively impact a dog’s quality of life. It can also be frustrating, time-consuming, and costly for dog owners to manage. The good news is that most dogs with Atopic Dermatitis can be treated successfully by working closely with your vet to prevent and manage flare-ups.