There are a variety of treatment options for canine atopic dermatitis and a combination of different treatments is often needed to manage it, particularly when it suddenly flares up.
The four main treatment types are:
- Treatments that aim to reduce the allergens responsible for causing atopic dermatitis
- Low dust mite bedding
- Regular shampooing (to remove allergens) or treating with rinses and topical anti-pruritus solutions. These offer immediate but only short-term relief. However, they are often effective when used with other treatment types
- Changes to the diet
- Treatments to reduce flare factors
- Comprehensive flea control
- Regular sampling to check for bacterial or Malassezia infections and treatment for these if required
- Antibiotics and antifungals to fight secondary infections
- Treatments that aim to control the allergic reaction
- Treatments that improve the skin health, for example food supplements. These contain essential fatty acids that can help reduce pruritus in some dogs. They have few side effects, and because of this are often used as a supplementary treatment
- Antihistamines may help control pruritus; however, they rarely provide adequate control on their own. They may be useful in mild disease and/or when used as a preventative. Furthermore, since dogs respond differently to different antihistamines, several types may have to be prescribed in an attempt to find an effective one
- Corticosteroids are generally effective at reducing or eliminating pruritus; however, they may also be associated with a number of side effects, both in the short and long term. Patients may develop polyphagia, polydispisa and polyuria. Skin thinning, liver damage, and skin and urinary tract infections may also be associated with prolonged use. Therefore steroids are better used for the short-term control of pruritus. Provided they are used appropriately (i.e. at the lowest dose, after other complicating diseases have been controlled), side effects can usually be minimised
- Atopica (cyclosporine) is an immunomodulator that targets the immune cells involved in the allergic reaction and can be used for long-term control of the allergic response in a dog's skin. This oral treatment has been proven through extensive clinical trials to be effective and well tolerated in reducing the pruritus and skin lesions associated with atopic dermatitis. It may reduce the need for simultaneous treatment with other medication and can be given life-long if necessary
- Treatments that aim to prevent future flare-ups of atopic dermatitis
- Immunotherapy involves injecting the dog with increasingly large doses of allergens (identified by an intradermal or serology test). Injections are usually given at home, and the dog may take up to 9 months to respond to the treatment. This therapy may prevent recurrence of flares, but usually needs to be given life-long
