Prevalence of canine atopic dermatitis and distribution of causative allergens in Bangkok

Abstract

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a pruritic allergic skin disease caused by an overreaction to environmental allergens. The diagnosis of CAD is made on the basis of the patient's history, physical examination, and exclusion of other pruritic skin diseases. Allergen-specific IgE serology (ASIS) is one of the most frequently recommended tests in veterinary dermatology for identifying causative allergens. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of CAD and the types of allergens that cause it in atopic dogs using ASIS in the Bangkok metropolitan area. The study was divided into two sections. Between 2015 and 2019, 383 dogs were diagnosed with CAD by a veterinarian at the Small Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University. We collected data on the sexes, breeds, distribution of lesions, housing environment, and concurrent disease in CAD dogs. Among these dogs, 28 CAD dogs were tested using the HESKA veterinary diagnostic laboratory's Canine ALLERCEPT® (environmental panel). Canine ALLERCEPT® panel results were classified into six allergen groups (Yeast, Flea saliva, House dust mite, Grass, Weed, and Tree). The prevalence of canine atopic dermatitis was found to be 1.16 percent in this study. The allergens responsible for CAD were house dust mite (75.00%), grass (62.14%), tree (46.43%), weed (47.45%), yeast (39.39%) and flea saliva (21.43%). The findings indicate that CAD is the most prevalent skin disease and is frequently encountered in general practice. The diagnosis of canine atopic dermatitis is quite complicated, but lesion distribution and recurrent concurrent disease may provide diagnostic clues. The ASIS is the most effective method for identifying allergens that cause pruritus and plan to do immunotherapy.