Understanding Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, itchy skin condition that affects many dogs. It cannot be cured, but with the right approach, most dogs can live comfortably. This guide explains what it is and what to expect.

What is atopic dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease driven by allergies — often to things in the environment (pollen, dust mites, mould) or sometimes to food. It usually starts between 6 months and 4 years of age and tends to cause:

• Paw licking, body rubbing, ear-shaking
• Scratching with hind feet (ears, flanks, belly, feet)
• Self-induced hair loss in itchy areas

What your vet needs to rule out first

Before diagnosing allergy, your vet will check for:

1. Fleas and mites — These can cause or worsen itch. Year-round parasite prevention is essential.
2. Skin or ear infections — Bacteria and yeast often complicate allergy and must be treated.
3. Food allergy — A strict elimination diet trial (8–12 weeks) is the only way to confirm or rule this out.

Realistic expectations

• Improvement is often gradual; some dogs never reach zero itch.
• A >50% reduction in itch score is often considered a success.
• Avoid stopping all medications at once — taper one at a time so your vet can see what helps.
• Diet trials require 100% compliance; even small cheats can invalidate results.

Next steps

1. Diagnostic workflow — What your vet will do, step by step.
2. Itch scoring guide — How to use the 0–10 scale.
3. Treatment overview — Common medications and parasite control.

For your vet
Track the Itch reports include daily itch scores, treatment dates, and care status. Use them to assess trends and compliance at rechecks.