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Diagnosis
Diagnosing Atopic Dermatitis In Dogs
Diagnosing atopic dermatitis in dogs is based on exclusion of other disorders. Symptoms such as itching, scratching and hair loss can have other causes, including:
- Flea Allergic Dermatitis (go to the Fleas section to learn more)
- Scabies
- Food allergy
- Bacterial or fungal skin infection
For this reason, a visit to your veterinarian is essential if your pet is suffering the symptoms described on this site. Even if they suspect atopic dermatitis, they'll need to rule out other causes of itching with a detailed patient history, physical examination and some simple diagnostic testing.
Nearly all dogs will suffer a flea infestation at some point in their lives, and many dogs with atopic dermatitis are also allergic to fleas. So whether they're the cause of the problem, or contributing to it, fleas need to be dealt with first.
If canine atopic dermatitis is confirmed, there are a number of different treatments your veterinarian may recommend, many of which are explained in the treatments section of this site.
Did you know?
When your veterinarian uses the term "pruritus" it means itchiness.
Did you know?
Atopic dermatitis usually starts between the ages of 6 months and 3 years.
Did you know?
Dogs sleep an average of 14-16 hours a day, so when they don't sleep because of itching, it's very noticeable.