Comparison of demographic data, disease severity and response to treatment, between dogs with atopic dermatitis and atopic-like dermatitis: a retrospective study

Background: Limited information is available describing the features of canine atopic-like dermatitis (ALD) compared with atopic dermatitis (AD). Objectives: To compare demographic data, disease severity and response to therapy between ALD and AD dogs. Animals: Two hundred and fifty-three atopic dogs with intradermal and serum allergen-specific IgE test results were selected retrospectively. Methods and materials: Dogs were enrolled into the ALD group if both IgE tests were negative and into the AD group if at least one test was positive. Demographic data, pruritus level and number of body sites affected before and during therapy, in addition to maintenance therapy protocols, were compared between groups. Results: There were 216 (85.38%) dogs in the AD group and 37 (14.62%) in the ALD group. The soft-coated wheaten terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, English bulldog and Labrador retriever were over-represented in the AD group. No significant differences between the groups were noted regarding the other demographic variables evaluated. There were no differences in the mean pruritus scores and number of affected body sites at the first visit or during treatment. Furthermore, no significant differences between the groups were noted for the maintenance treatment scores and reduction of pruritus level and number of body sites affected during treatment. Conclusions and clinical significance: The soft-coated wheaten terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, English bulldog and Labrador retriever were over-represented in the AD group. No significant differences in the other demographic data and clinical features were noted between dogs with ALD and AD in the present study.