Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How skin allergy tests relate to itching in atopic dogs
By Mallmann, Stefanie et al.·Published in Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K, Kleintiere/Heimtiere·2021·Small Animal Medicine Clinic, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical relevance of intradermal test results in atopic dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 48 dogs with atopic dermatitis (a skin condition that causes itching) underwent intradermal allergy testing to identify what they might be allergic to. The tests showed that many dogs reacted to dust mites, while reactions to pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds were less common. However, the study found that the test results did not always match the dogs' symptoms, meaning that the allergy tests alone might not be the best way to determine what is causing the itching. It's important for pet owners to discuss their dog's history and symptoms with their vet when considering allergy treatments.
People also search for: dog itching treatment · atopic dermatitis in dogs · allergy testing for dogs · dog skin problems causes
Abstract
TOPIC AND AIMS: Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory and pruritic skin disease and in most cases associated with IgE antibodies against environmental allergens. To date, the only causative therapeutic option is allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Offending allergens for AIT can be identified by intradermal testing (IDT) or serum allergen-specific IgE testing. The aim of the study was to evaluate positive IDT results considering the atopic dogs' clinical history. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An IDT was performed on 48 atopic dogs and their owners completed a detailed questionnaire about the seasonal course of their pruritus. Results of IDT were correlated with the seasonal occurrence of pruritus. RESULTS: The most common positive IDT reactions were observed to mite allergens (33.3-62.5 %). Prevalence of positive reactions to individual tree, grass and weed pollen ranged between 8.3 % and 25 %. Moulds and epithelial allergens produced positive reactions in only 0-6.3 %. A correlation between positive IDT reactions and course of pruritus could neither be found for perennial nor for seasonal allergens. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of IDT reactions may not be an optimal method for identification of clinically relevant allergens in canine AD. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study emphasise the importance of considering clinical history in addition to allergy test results in the formulation of an allergen extract for desensitisation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34670310/