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Clinical signs and diagnosis of atopic disease in the dog
Author(s) -
CHAMBERLAIN K. W.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
journal of small animal practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1748-5827
pISSN - 0022-4510
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1978.tb05530.x
Subject(s) - medicine , atopic dermatitis , dermatology , disease , irritability , rash , immunology , pathology , menopause
Atopic disease in dogs is caused by hypersensitivity to foods and/or environmental allergens. The sensitivity is caused by immunoglobulin E which attaches to the surface of basophils and mast cells, causing degranu–lation and discharge of vasoactive amines. The amines cause vasodili–tation, increased vascular permeability, smooth muscle contraction, glandular secretion and nerve irritability. The clinical signs are redness, swelling, pruritus, and if the condition persists or becomes chronic, there is usually rash thickening and often pigmentation and lichenification of the affected areas. The various causes of atopic disease are enumerated followed by a discussion of a systematic diagnostic approach to identify the problem and the specific cause(s) of the problem.