VN October 2023

Oktober 2023 41 Atopy in both dogs and cats usually present with pruritis, however the presentation between these species can be quite different, and although we know more about Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD) compared to Feline, we are still learning about both. Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a common inflammatory skin disease, affecting up to 15% of the global dog population.(1) The pathogenesis of the disease is multifactorial, with both skin barrier dysfunction and immunological dysregulation known to have central roles, and both may be influenced by genetic and environmental factors. CAD is a common allergic skin disorder that develops from predominantly environmental allergens, such as house dust mites and pollens of grasses, trees and weeds. The etiology is considered multifactorial, whereby an epidermal barrier dysfunction, combined with dysregulation of the immune system, leads to the development of clinical disease in dogs with a suggested genetic background of CAD. In most cases the problem starts at a young age (6mo to 4y), but dermatitis and pruritus can cause lifelong discomfort. Canine Atopy is often initially seasonal and patients respond well to steroids. The longer this condition continues the more chronic the lesions will become. Because there is currently no reliable biomarker that can distinguish CAD from other dermatological disorders, the diagnosis of CAD remains clinical, and hence the clinicianmust interpret and consider various aspects, including the patient’s history, characteristic clinical features and exclusion of other differential dermatoses. Felineatopicdermatitis is an inflammatory, almost invariablypruritic condition with characteristic clinical presentations. Compared to canine atopy, the clinical presentation can be quite different, and less is known about the etiopathogenesis, although – as with dogs – it is a hypersensitivity reaction to certain environmental allergens including pollen, house dust mites and mold. Unlike atopic dermatitis in people and dogs, it is unclear if IgE plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of the condition in cats, therefore recent publications have advocated for and used the phrase “feline non- flea, non-food hypersensitivity dermatitis”. (2) Although pruritis is the most consistent finding in Atopy, it is not exclusive to Atopy and many other dermatological diseases will present with pruritis. For a more extensive discussion on the topic of Atopy please follow the below links to the Vet Focus Magazine where more information is shared. Canine atopic dermatitis and the owner https://vetfocus.royalcanin.com/en/scientific/canine-atopic- dermatitis-and-the-owner The diagnostic challenges of canine atopic dermatitis https://vetfocus.royalcanin.com/en/scientific/the-diagnostic- challenges-of-canine-atopic-dermatitis Anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic therapy in canine atopy https://vetfocus.royalcanin.com/en/scientific/anti-inflammatory- and-anti-pruritic-therapy-in-canine-atopy Treating canine atopic dermatitis https://vetfocus.royalcanin.com/en/scientific/treating-canine- atopic-dermatitis Atopic dermatitis in cats demystified https://vetfocus.royalcanin.com/en/scientific/atopic-dermatitis-in- cats-demystified References: 1. Hillier A, Griffin CE. The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (I): incidence and prevalence. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2001;81:147-151. 2. Hobi S, Linek M, Marignac G, et al . Clinical characteristics and causes of pruritus in cats: a multicentre study on feline hypersensitivity-associated dermatoses. Vet Dermatol 2011;22:406-413. ATOPY in dogs and cats