Flea control in flea allergic dogs and cats

Marie-Christine Cadiergues
EJCAP - Vol. 19 - Issue 3 
December 2009

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) remains the most common allergic skin disease of dogs and cats, although its frequency varies according to geographical location. Despite the availability of safe, effective products, treating FAD remains a challenge. This challenge should be more readily overcome once both practitioner and owner(s) are entirely convinced of the diagnosis. The main diffi culties and pitfalls facing the practitioner are described. Treatment requires appropriate knowledge of the fl ea life cycle and fl ea-related biology, and understanding of the mode of action of the relevant fl ea control products. An integrated approach to treatment should be adopted, involving all the players in the fl ea life cycle - the FAD patient, all in-contact pets, and the environment. Each case must be customised, with effective fl ea control products used in combination with cleaning measures such as steaming, vacuuming and regular grooming.

Causes of otitis externa in the dog

Jane Coatesworth MA VetMB CertVD MRCVS
Companion Animal Vol 16 
July 2011

Otitis externa can involve a number of interlinked factors. These factors may directly induce inflammation, 

greatly assist us in successfully unravelling and treating an individual case. 

has resolved. This article discusses how the recognition of specific primary, predisposing and perpetuating factors can 

may increase the likelihood of inflammation occurring, or may maintain inflammation even when the primary factor

Panniculitis in dogs and cats

Ariane Neuber DrMedVet CertVD DipECVD MRCVS
Companion Animal Vol 16 
June 2011. 

Panniculitis is uncommonly seen in both dogs and cats. Although a large number of organisms can cause infectious panniculitis, many of these are rarely seen in the UK. A variety of systemic diseases can also cause non-infectious panniculitis. Of the non-infectious cases, sterile nodular panniculitis is the most common type. Histopathology and deep tissue culture are indicated in most cases to reach a diagnosis. Infectious panniculitis must be treated with antimicrobial agents. Sterile nodular panniculitis usually responds well to glucocorticoid administration. This paper gives an overview of the different causes of panniculitis and how to approach suspected cases

A Practical Approach to Diagnosing and Managing Ear Disease in Dogs

Paul Bloom, DVM, DACVD, DAVBP
Compendium. May 
2009 (Vol 31, No 5)

Entire books have been written on the subject of canine ear disease. Rather than attempt to present all the available information here, I am providing an overview of how I diagnose and manage ear disease in dogs. It is critical to appreciate that ear disease is only a clinical problem (no more specific than pruritus) and that steps must be taken to prevent otitis externa from progressing to proliferative otitis.

Treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: 2010 clinical practice guidelines from the International Task Force on Canine Atopic Dermatitis

Thierry Olivry, Douglas J. DeBoer, 

Claude Favrot, Hilary A. Jackson, Ralf S. Mueller,

Tim Nuttall, Pascal Prélaud

Veterinary Dermatology
Volume 21, Issue 3, pages 233–248, 

June 2010

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic relapsing pruritic skin disease of dogs for which treatment has varied over time and geographical location. Recent high quality randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have established which drugs are likely to offer consistent benefit. The International Task Force for Canine AD currently recommends a multi-faceted approach to treat dogs with AD. Acute flares should be treated with a combination of nonirritating baths and topical glucocorticoids, once an attempt has been made to identify and remove the suspected causes of the flare. Oral glucocorticoids and antimicrobial therapy must be added when needed. In dogs with chronic AD, a combination of interventions should be considered. Again, factors that trigger flares of AD must be identified and, if possible, avoided. Currently recognized flare factors include food, flea and environmental allergens, Staphylococcus bacteria andMalassezia yeast. Skin and coat hygiene and care must be improved by bathing with nonirritating shampoos and dietary supplementation with essential fatty acids. The severity of pruritus and skin lesions can be reduced with a combination of anti-inflammatory drugs. Currently, medications with good evidence of high efficacy include topical and oral glucocorticoids, and calcineurin inhibitors such as oral ciclosporin and topical tacrolimus. The dose and frequency of administration of these drugs should be tailored to each patient considering each drug’s efficacy, adverse effects and cost. Allergen-specific immunotherapy should be offered, whenever feasible, in an attempt to prevent recurrence of clinical signs upon further exposure to environmental allergens to which the patient is hypersensitive.