Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Causes and risk factors for dog and cat itchy skin disease
By Gentry, Christina M·Published in The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice·2025·College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Updates on the Pathogenesis of Canine and Feline Atopic Dermatitis: Part 1, History, Breed Prevalence, Genetics, Allergens, and the Environment.
Plain-English summary
Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) in dogs and feline atopic skin syndrome in cats are skin conditions that cause inflammation and intense itching. These issues can be influenced by both genetics and the environment. Some pets may have a genetic tendency that makes their skin barrier weaker and leads to an overactive immune response when they come into contact with allergens. Common signs include recurring skin and ear infections, often caused by bacteria and yeast. Factors like living indoors and exposure to things like house dust mites, pollen, and certain foods can increase the chances of developing these skin problems.
Abstract
Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) and feline atopic skin syndrome are inflammatory and pruritic skin diseases with both environmental and genetic factors. Genetic factors may include barrier defects and a predisposition to mount T helper 2 lymphocyte immune response when allergens are encountered. These diseases have repeatable patterns of skin and ear inflammation and commonly lead to Staphylococcal and Malassezia skin and ear infections. Early life environmental factors and an indoor lifestyle may increase the risk of cAD. The most ubiquitous environmental allergen is house dust mite with pollens, molds, foods, and Malassezia yeast potentially playing a role in affected individuals.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39732548/