A clinical study on the incidence and occurrence of atopic dermatitis in dogs

Abstract

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a chronic, pruritic, inflammatory skin disorder with a multifactorial and genetically influenced pathogenesis. The present study was conducted to determine the incidence and occurrence of CAD among dogs presented to the Small Animal Outpatient Unit of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal. A total of 882 dermatological cases were examined during the study period and all dogs underwent detailed dermatological evaluation, diagnostic screening and assessment using Favrot’s criteria. Thirty-two dogs fulfilled the diagnostic threshold for CAD, yielding an overall occurrence of 3.63 per cent. Most affected dogs were young adults, with 50 per cent falling in the 1-3 year age group. Breed predisposition was evident, with Beagles (28.13 per cent), Labrador Retrievers (21.87 per cent), and non-descript dogs (18.75 per cent) forming the major proportion of cases. A clear male predominance (71.88 per cent) was observed. The findings align with established epidemiological patterns and reaffirm CAD as a significant allergic dermatitis in dogs. This study provides baseline data on the demographic distribution of CAD and emphasizes the importance of early recognition and accurate diagnosis in clinical practice.