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43 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 ● TVPJOURNAL.COM CONTINUING EDUCATION shutterstock.com/textu Canine Atopic Dermatitis: Updates on Diagnosis and Treatment DERMATOLOGY Frane Banovic, DVM, PhD, DECVD University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a common skin disorder defined as a hereditary predisposition to develop pruritic inflammatory skin disease associated with IgE antibodies, which typically target environmental allergens. 1 The disease typically affects dogs age 6 months to 3 years and is characterized by pruritus and secondary skin lesions of a characteristic distribution around the face (mouth, eyes), concave aspect of the ear pinnae, ventral abdomen, flexor aspects of elbow, carpal, and tarsal joints, interdigital skin, and perineal area ( FIGURES 1 AND 2 ). 1 The initial clinical signs of CAD are those associated with pruritus (eg, scratching, rubbing, chewing, excessive grooming or licking); erythema and papules may also be present. Depending on the allergens involved, clinical signs are seasonal or, most commonly, nonseasonal. 1 CLEAN SLATE Topical once- to twice-weekly therapy using antimicrobial shampoos (eg, chlorhexidine, benzoyl peroxide, miconazole, ketoconazole) and ear cleansers are recommended as an essential component in the long-term management of secondary infected CAD. CONTINUING EDUCATION FIGURE 1. A French bulldog with an acute flare of atopic dermatitis and secondary superficial staphylococcal folliculitis on abdomen. This dog exhibits patches of erythema and edema with excorations on both axillae. FIGURE 2. A chronic atopic dermatitis case with secondary Malassezia dermatitis. Skin lesions feature severe erythema; alopecia; excoriations; and lichenification of axillae, ventral abdomen, perineal area, and caudomedial thighs.