Description
Canine pruritus is a common clinical presentation and is a source of frustration to patients, owners and vets alike. The common causes are ectoparasitic disease, infections and allergies although there are other rarer diseases that can result in pruritus. Atopic dermatitis is one of the more common causes of long standing canine pruritus but there is no single diagnostic test that confirms this disease. The investigation of a pruritic dog involves a careful work up, firstly ruling out parasitic disease along with identification and treatment of infectious causes of pruritus before considering allergies. Careful history taking and thorough examination are of paramount importance and should generate a list of possible differential diagnoses that need to be eliminated in a step wise process. Further investigation consists of simple in house diagnostic tests to identify ectoparasitic diseases and infections along with therapeutic trials. An elimination diet trial is indicated in any dog that presents with non-seasonal pruritus. A diagnosis of atopic dermatitis may be made in a dog with compatible history and clinical signs where all other possible causes of pruritus have been eliminated.
Learning outcomes
1. Knowledge of the common causes of canine pruritus
2. How to take a history and perform a thorough skin examination
3. Knowledge of the in-house diagnostic tests for the investigation of pruritus
4. When therapeutic trials are indicated
5. How to perform an elimination diet trial and allergy testing
About Zoetis
Our name, Zoetis (zo-EH-tis), is derived from Zoetic, which means "pertaining to life". We chose this name because it signals the relationshop between animal health and life. Our lives. The lives of our customers: veterinarians and livestock producers. And the farm and companion animals on which our lives depend.
