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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Itching around the anus in dogs with skin disease

By Maina, Elisa et al.·Published in Veterinary Dermatology·2014·Servizi Dermatologici Veterinari Strada Bedale della Ressia 2 12016 Peveragno Cuneo Italy, Italy·View original on Crossref

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Original publication title: Perianal pruritus in dogs with skin disease

Species:
dog

Plain-English summary

A study found that many dogs with skin problems, particularly those with allergies or food reactions, experienced itching around their rear ends. Out of 250 dogs examined, 39 with atopic dermatitis (a type of allergy) and 29 with adverse food reactions showed signs of this itching, while fewer dogs with other skin issues did. The itching was often accompanied by other skin changes like redness and hair loss, but it wasn't linked to infections or anal sac problems. Understanding this connection can help veterinarians better diagnose and treat dogs with skin diseases.

People also search for: dog itching around rear end · dog allergies treatment · perianal itching in dogs · food allergies in dogs · dog skin problems

Abstract

BackgroundPerianal pruritus has been reported in dogs with anal sac disease but not in healthy dogs. Some authors describe it as typical of allergy, but there is little evidence in support of this.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe aim was to investigate the association between perianal pruritus and canine atopic dermatitis (CAD), adverse food reaction (ARF) and other skin diseases in dogs.AnimalsTwo hundred and fifty privately owned dogs with skin disease and without anal sac disease.MethodsThe presence or absence of perianal pruritus, macroscopic and cytological evaluation of the perianal skin surface and the macroscopic appearance of anal sac contents were assessed. Chi‐square and Fisher's exact tests were performed to compare the frequency of perianal pruritus with the clinical diagnoses and with clinical and cytological parameters.ResultsPerianal pruritus was seen in 39 of 75 dogs withCAD, in 29 of 57 dogs withARFand in only 24 of 118 dogs with other conditions. The frequency of perianal pruritus in dogs withCADand/orARFwas significantly higher than that in dogs with other diagnoses (P < 0.0001). No other disease was significantly associated with perianal pruritus. Perianal pruritus was significantly associated with signs of perianal alopecia, erythema, excoriations, lichenification and hyperpigmentation; it was not associated with the presence of bacteria or yeasts or with anal sac impaction.Conclusions and clinical importancePerianal pruritus was seen more frequently in dogs withAFR/CADthan with other dermatological diseases. This is the first study to evaluate perianal pruritus in dogs with skin disease and without anal sac disease.

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Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12127