Atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions

Abstract

PLEASE NOTE A NEW 4TH EDITION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED AND IS AVAILABLE IN THE LIBRARY AND IN PRINTCanine atopic dermatitis is the most common manifestation of the atopic state. Dogs may also develop atopic conjunctivitis and rhinitis, apparently triggered by environmental allergens. In most cases of canine atopic dermatitis, an allergen-specific IgE is present; however, atopic dermatitis-like clinical signs may develop without detectable IgE. The reason for this is currently not understood. The term atopic dermatitis-like dermatitis is used to refer to these cases. Adverse food reactions encompass both immunological and non-immunological reactions to elements in the diet, and can present as clinically identical dermatitis. Owing to the similarity in clinical presentation, the International Committee on Atopic Disease in Animals has proposed that canine atopic dermatitis should be considered to be triggered by environmental or food allergens, or a combination of both. For practical purposes it is useful to consider atopic dermatitis, adverse food reactions and flea allergic dermatitis as potentially co-existing problems. This chapter looks at Environmental atopic dermatitis; and Adverse food reactions.