Changes

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

The diagnosis is based on the signalment, a thorough history, appropriate physical examination findings, and ruling out of other causes of pruritus. Differential diagnoses include food allergy (nonseasonal), flea allergy (seasonal), contact allergy, and scabies. The primary reason for pursuing intradermal or serologic allergy testing is to identify the offending allergens in an animal, and to formulate specific immunotherapy. Allergy testing (intradermal or serologic) is a diagnostic aid that measures elevated levels of tissue-bound or circulating IgE; alone, it is not sufficient to diagnose atopy. Test results are significant only if the offending allergens identified are compatible with the history or seasonality of pruritus.  

The diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is based on the signalment, athorough history and appropriate physical examination findings. Other causes of pruritus must also be ruled out. The differential diagnoses are:

*Food allergy

*Flea allergy dermatitis

 

Intradermal and serologic allergy testing are available but are not used to make a diagnosis of atopy. Their purpose is to identify the specific offending allergens in an animal in order than immunotherapy may be pursued. The results of allergy testing are only significant if the history and clinical signs are also suggestive of atopic dermatitis.  

===Clinical Signs===

===Clinical Signs===