| + | Clinical signs usually occur on a seasonal basis but may be seen year-round with time. Pruritus is the characteristic sign of atopy and may be the only complaint. The feet, face, ears, flexural surfaces of the front legs, axillae, and abdomen are the most frequently affected areas. Lesions develop secondary to self-trauma and include alopecia, erythema, scaling, salivary staining, hemorrhagic crusts, excoriations, lichenification, and hyperpigmentation. Superficial staphylococcal pyoderma, Malassezia dermatitis, and allergic otitis externa with secondary infections are common complications. Chronic or recurrent otitis is the only complaint in a small number of animals. |