When you suspect that a dog could be atopic by using the Favrot Criteria and assessing history and clinical signs, you need to rule out resembling diseases.
Simple tests such as cytology and skin scrapes can identify other diseases that could be causing pruritus (e.g. fleas, sarcoptic mange, demodicosis) as well as secondary 'flare' factors that contribute to pruritus in dogs with atopic dermatitis (e.g. pyoderma, Malassezia).
Use these step-by-step guides to remind you of the basic procedures as well as provide references for the clinical symptoms to look out for.
- Cytology
- Impression smear
- Swabs
- Tape strip
- Skin scrape
- Superficial skin scrape
- Deep skin scrape
- Coat brush
- Coat brush guide
- Trichogram
- Trichogram guide
- Food trial
- Food trial guide
