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Skincare Q&A with Jon Plant, DVM, DACVD
Question: My one-year-old dog seems to be itching and biting her paws and hind legs a lot lately. What might be causing this?
—Mitch McElwain, Charleston, S.C.
Answer: Your pooch may be suffering from a common disease called atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is an allergic skin disease caused by a heightened sensitivity to common things in the environment such as pollens, mold spores or dust mites in the home.
Atopic dermatitis is impossible to diagnose with certainty through lab tests alone. As a result, your veterinarian may also look at your dog’s history and physical examination findings, as well as run simple tests to make sure that there aren’t other causes of itching involved. Alternate causes could entail fleas, food allergies, bacterial or fungal skin infections or scabies. Once other causes have been ruled out, your veterinarian can do allergy testing to detect the specific allergen your dog is suffering from.
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis include excessive grooming, licking and chewing of the paws, abdomen or hind legs. Flare-ups of this condition may come and go, but if your Pet has atopic dermatitis, they often present themselves during the first two years of life. Acute moist dermatitis (“hot spots”), scratching and ear infections may not all appear at once, although you may notice that they follow a particular pattern. Your furry friend could lose his or her hair, get scabs and have redness of the skin.
Always consult your Banfield veterinarian if you suspect that your Pet is abnormally itchy. The treatment of atopic dermatitis should be tailored to your Pet’s individual needs, and should include regular bathing, often with medicated shampoos and conditioners. Once it develops, atopic dermatitis is a lifelong disease, and your doctor can help you develop a management plan. Treatment of atopic dermatitis may include antihistamines, nutritional supplements, allergy desensitization injections, corticosteroids, or a new prescription medication manufactured by Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. called Atopica®, which your veterinarian may recommend if your Pet does not tolerate or is not kept comfortable with other medications.
—Jon Plant, DVM, DACVD
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Dermatology
Medical Specialist/Dermatology, Banfield, The Pet Hospital®
Jon Plant, DVM, DACVD, is a 1988 graduate of Oregon State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and a medical specialist at Banfield, The Pet Hospital®. Dr. Plant was drawn to the practice of veterinary medicine as a child when he began caring for his family’s farm animals and Pets. He was attracted to Banfield because of our strong commitment to veterinary education. His areas of special interest in veterinary medicine include dermatology, with an emphasis on atopic dermatitis. He lives with his wife, daughter and their two dogs.
—Mitch McElwain, Charleston, S.C.
Answer: Your pooch may be suffering from a common disease called atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is an allergic skin disease caused by a heightened sensitivity to common things in the environment such as pollens, mold spores or dust mites in the home.
Atopic dermatitis is impossible to diagnose with certainty through lab tests alone. As a result, your veterinarian may also look at your dog’s history and physical examination findings, as well as run simple tests to make sure that there aren’t other causes of itching involved. Alternate causes could entail fleas, food allergies, bacterial or fungal skin infections or scabies. Once other causes have been ruled out, your veterinarian can do allergy testing to detect the specific allergen your dog is suffering from.
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis include excessive grooming, licking and chewing of the paws, abdomen or hind legs. Flare-ups of this condition may come and go, but if your Pet has atopic dermatitis, they often present themselves during the first two years of life. Acute moist dermatitis (“hot spots”), scratching and ear infections may not all appear at once, although you may notice that they follow a particular pattern. Your furry friend could lose his or her hair, get scabs and have redness of the skin.
Always consult your Banfield veterinarian if you suspect that your Pet is abnormally itchy. The treatment of atopic dermatitis should be tailored to your Pet’s individual needs, and should include regular bathing, often with medicated shampoos and conditioners. Once it develops, atopic dermatitis is a lifelong disease, and your doctor can help you develop a management plan. Treatment of atopic dermatitis may include antihistamines, nutritional supplements, allergy desensitization injections, corticosteroids, or a new prescription medication manufactured by Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. called Atopica®, which your veterinarian may recommend if your Pet does not tolerate or is not kept comfortable with other medications.
—Jon Plant, DVM, DACVD
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Dermatology
Medical Specialist/Dermatology, Banfield, The Pet Hospital®
Jon Plant, DVM, DACVD, is a 1988 graduate of Oregon State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and a medical specialist at Banfield, The Pet Hospital®. Dr. Plant was drawn to the practice of veterinary medicine as a child when he began caring for his family’s farm animals and Pets. He was attracted to Banfield because of our strong commitment to veterinary education. His areas of special interest in veterinary medicine include dermatology, with an emphasis on atopic dermatitis. He lives with his wife, daughter and their two dogs.
