Canine atopic/allergic dermatitis in Mashhad (North-East of Iran): clinical observations

The aim of this study was to elucidate the prevalence of canine atopic/allergic dermatitis in Mashhad (North-East of Iran) in a hospital-population of dogs and to evaluate its clinical features according to the diagnostic criteria of the disease by Willemse and Prélaud. Among 111 canine patients with dermatologic problems, admitted to Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Veterinary Teaching Hospital between October 2007 and October 2008, atopic/allergic dermatitis was diagnosed in a total of 8 dogs by combining the compatible historical evidence and clinical signs and the seasonality of the clinical signs. The affected dogs consisted of 2 males and 6 females (females predisposition). Terriers were the most often represented breeds (6/8), which is mainly because of overrepresentation of this breed in our hospital. The age of the dogs when presented varied from 6 months to 4.5 years (median: 1.7 years). Pruritus, the outstanding clinical sign in all the 8 dogs, was either localized (5/8) or generalized (3/8). Most of the animals (6/8) had non-seasonal pruritus. Skin lesions were generalized (64%) or localized (36%), involving the head, the ear flaps, the neck, the lateral and dorsal aspects of the body trunk, the axillae and ventral chest, the abdomen and inguinal region, the perineum and the feet. Otitis externa, seen in 3/8 cases, was unilateral (1/3) or bilateral (2/3), either non-exudative or purulent.