Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How cost and vets affect treatment choices for dog skin allergies
By Gentry, Christina M et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2026·Texas A&M University, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Multiple factors, including client financial constraints, play a role in clinician decisions for canine atopic dermatitis: spectrum of care in a chronic and relapsing disease.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A survey of veterinarians found that many pet owners face financial challenges when seeking treatment for their dog's skin allergies (canine atopic dermatitis). Despite these constraints, vets often still recommend important diagnostic tests like skin cytology and scraping to identify the issue. When it comes to treatment, many vets prefer using cephalexin, an antibiotic, for certain skin infections, especially when finances are tight. The findings suggest that while financial limitations can influence treatment choices, they don't always change the recommended diagnostic steps.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To understand the current opinions, diagnostic process, and prescribing behavior of North American veterinarians for canine atopic dermatitis. A secondary objective was evaluating how treatment recommendations were guided by client financial limitations and veterinarian knowledge of canine atopic dermatitis. METHODS: A Veterinary Information Network online survey was available from July 15 to August 15, 2025, to veterinarians who practiced in North America, saw canine patients, and consented to participation. Questions about frequency of owners with financial constraints, diagnostics and therapeutic recommendations, and referral to specialists were asked by either direct questioning or case scenarios. RESULTS: 718 respondents provided sufficient data for inclusion; 57% of respondents stated ≥ 25% of their clients had substantial financial constraints, while 28% of respondents stated ≥ 50% of clients had financial constraints. Most respondents always or often used financial status to guide recommendations. Respondents considered skin cytology followed by skin scraping the most important diagnostic tests regardless of financial constraint. Respondents preferred cephalexin for methicillin-sensitive pyoderma when there was financial constraint. Most respondents knew of the recommendation to use sole antiseptic topical therapy for methicillin-resistant superficial pyoderma, and most recommended aerobic bacterial culture before antibiotics with suspected methicillin-resistant pyoderma. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial financial constraints of clients do not always alter diagnostic and treatment recommendations for canine atopic dermatitis; however, clinicians' recommendations do not always align with consensus guidelines. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A better understanding of veterinarians' diagnostic and prescribing behavior can improve veterinary education on spectrum-of-care decision-making for canine atopic dermatitis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42019542/