Prediction of future development of canine atopic dermatitis based on examination of clinical history.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify clinical features that could be used to identify individual dogs within the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association canine population at risk of being diagnosed as atopic in the future before they had fully developed the condition.


METHODS
Clinical histories of atopic and non-atopic dogs from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association population were analysed and statistically significant differences identified between the two groups.


RESULTS
Atopic dogs were consistently affected by skin disease at a younger age than non-atopic dogs and that there was a significant difference in event curves between atopic and non-atopic dogs at 10 months of age. From a predictive point of view, dogs that suffered from four or more episodes of atopic-type skin disease by the age of 15 months were at an increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that the clinical history of all dogs from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association about to undergo training should be examined for these factors to assess whether or not they should undergo training.
Fraser
M A
MA
Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
McNeil
P E
PE
Girling
S J
SJ
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index