Figure 1. Alopecia and erythema on the ventral aspect of the neck of an English Bulldog. This dog had atopic dermatitis and presented with an acute flare.

Management of canine atopic dermatitis

Treatment of acute flares It is a recognised phenomenon that dogs with atopic dermatitis will suffer acute flares when exposed to an allergen to which they are hypersensitive (e.g. flea saliva,...

Figure 1. Early atopic dermatitis in a pruritic dog with erythema of the ventral neck. Regular use of a topical soothing and emollient product could alleviate the pruritus and inflammation. This could reduce the need for more potent systemic medication, thereby reducing costs and the risk of adverse effects. There is no evidence of bacterial or Malassezia sp. infection, therefore an anti-bacterial/anti-fungal product is not required.

Topical therapy in canine atopic dermatitis: new products

There are three main factors to consider when choosing a topical therapy product. First, the active ingredients should be appropriate for the patient's skin condition. Next, the choice of the...