Dog atopy — symptoms, diagnosis and modern treatment

📍 Veterinary Hospital Sacrum — Skin disease specialists in Vantaa

Atopia is the most common chronic skin disease in dogs. It is an inherited tendency to form antibodies to common allergens in the environment, such as dust mites, stock mites or pollen.

Atopia cannot be completely cured, but with the right treatment, the symptoms can be controlled and the dog can live an itch-free life.

Typical symptoms

Atopia usually begins at a young age (6 months to 3 years of age). Symptoms can be seasonal (pollen mites) or year-round (dust mites).

• Paws: The dog licks or chews its paws (paws may become brownish).
• Ears: Recurrent yeast or bacterial infections in the ears.
• Face and groin: Rubbing and redness.
• Recurrent skin infections: Allergic skin is weak and is easily struck by bacterial or yeast infection.

How is atopy diagnosed?

Atopia is a so-called exclusion diagnosis.

1. We exclude parasites.
2. We treat any skin infections.
3. We often do an elimination diet to rule out food allergy.
4. If the itching persists, it is most likely an atopy.

Treatment options

Modern medicine offers effective means to control itching without the use of old-fashioned cortisone treatments and their side effects.

• Injection treatments: A biological drug that blocks the passage of the itch signal.
• Tablets for oral administration: the exact remedy for itching.
• Tolerance treatment: A vaccine is tailored to the dog that tolerates it for allergens.
• Skin support treatments: Washings with medicinal shampoos and fatty acid polishes.

An itchy dog is an unhappy dog. Book an appointment for a skin survey at our reception in Vantaa.

📞 Appointment: 010 739 9130