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→Diagnosis
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
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:
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<sup>1</sup>:
*Food allergy
*Food allergy: ruled out by a dietary exclusion trial.
*Flea allergy dermatitis
*Flea allergy dermatitis: ruled out observing response to ectoparasiticides.
*Contact dermatitis
*Contact dermatitis: ruled out by confining animal to one area covered in e.g. newspaper.
*Scabies.
*Scabies:ruled out observing response to ectoparasiticides.
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.
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.
===Laboratory Tests===
===Laboratory Tests===
Serum based allergy tests are widely used in the evaluation of canine atopic dermatitis. However, they are often used prior to ruling out other disorders with similar clinical signs (scabies, food allergy/intolerance). Measurement of total serum IgE levels is not a useful tool for diagnosing atopic dermatitis in dogs. IgE levels are not significantly different in dogs with atopic dermatitis than in normal healthy dogs. In addition, things like routine vaccinations and the presence of ecto or endoparasites may influence serum IgE levels. Finally, there may be breed variations in serum IgE levels.
Serum based allergy tests are widely used in the evaluation of canine atopic dermatitis. However, they are often used prior to ruling out other disorders with similar clinical signs (scabies, food allergy/intolerance). Measurement of total serum IgE levels is not a useful tool for diagnosing atopic dermatitis in dogs. IgE levels are not significantly different in dogs with atopic dermatitis than in normal healthy dogs. In addition, things like routine vaccinations and the presence of ecto or endoparasites may influence serum IgE levels. Finally, there may be breed variations in serum IgE levels.