Demographics and clinical picture of nonseasonal canine atopic dermatitis – observations in 63 dogs

Abstract

The objectives of this multicentre study were to describe demographics and clinical findings of a group of 63 dogs with nonseasonal atopic dermatitis (AD), where concurrent flea allergy dermatitis, ectoparasite infestation, food adverse reactions and secondary infections had been ruled out. The breed, sex, age of onset, distribution of skin lesions, prevalence of otitis externa, secondary skin infections and additional noncutaneous clinical signs were recorded. A veterinarian recorded skin lesions from 15 different body regions. Each body region was scored according to degree of erythema, alopecia, excoriations, scale, crusts, lichenification and hyperpigmentation that was present. An early age of onset (37% of the dogs being less than 1 year old) was more common in this group of dogs than described in the literature. The German shepherd breed was over‐represented (21% as compared with 7–9.9% of the veterinary clinic population) and approximately half of the German shepherd dogs (46%) started showing clinical signs before 1 year of age. Erythema was the overall most common type of skin lesion, with facial erythema and conjunctivitis being less commonly reported than in other studies. Feet, ears and groin were the most common sites for skin lesions. This study indicates that it is not uncommon for dogs with nonseasonal AD to have the onset of clinical signs start at a younger age (less than 1 year of age) and have clinical lesions that vary from previously published reports. This discrepancy might be allergen‐dependent or breed‐related. The study was funded by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Denmark.