Atopy in Dogs: An Overview

Dog Breeds

Atopy is a clinical syndrome in which there is a hereditary tendency to develop immune-mediated hypersensitivities – or allergies.

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Definition of Canine Atopy

Atopy is a clinical syndrome in which there is a hereditary tendency to develop immune-mediated hypersensitivities – or allergies - to normally innocuous environmental allergens that are either inhaled or absorbed through the skin. An allergen is simply any substance that is capable of causing an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction in a particular animal. In dogs, atopy is also known as allergic inhalant dermatitis, atopic dermatitis and atopic eczema. Atopy is one of the most common allergic skin diseases in domestic dogs, second only to flea bite dermatitis and followed closely by food allergies.

Causes of Canine Atopy

As mentioned above, atopy is a genetically programmed abnormal reaction to contact with normal things. The mode of inheritance is not known, and certainly factors in addition to heredity probably influence the development of the disease. Common contributors to atopy include pollen, grasses, weeds, trees or other plants, mold, household cleaners, dust mites, insect bites, animal dander, chemicals and innumerable other environmental allergens. There is no clear sex or age predilection, although atopy does seem to be slightly more common in female dogs and in younger animals between 1 and 3 years of age. The age of onset can vary widely, and certain breeds are predisposed. There is marked geographic and seasonal variation in exposure to potential allergens.

Prevention of Canine Atopy

As with other hypersensitivity reactions, atopic reactions can be prevented by eliminating the dog’s exposure to the offending allergens. Those allergens can be identified through veterinary allergy testing, if they are not otherwise obvious. Other standard prevention techniques include minimizing any known sources of itchiness (fleas, ticks, poison ivy/oak, certain components of the diet, etc.), so that the itchiness caused by an atopic reaction is not compounded.

Special Notes

Atopy cannot be cured in the traditional sense of the word. However, normally it can be controlled with medication, diet and life-style changes. Atopy is not life-threatening, but it does require management to facilitate a good quality of life for affected animals.

Symptoms and Types