title: Perianal pruritus in dogs with skin disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Perianal pruritus has been reported in dogs with anal sac disease but not in healthy dogs. Some authors describe it as typical of allergy, but there is little evidence in support of this.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to investigate the association between perianal pruritus and canine atopic dermatitis (CAD), adverse food reaction (ARF) and other skin diseases in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and fifty privately owned dogs with skin disease and without anal sac disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The presence or absence of perianal pruritus, macroscopic and cytological evaluation of the perianal skin surface and the macroscopic appearance of anal sac contents were assessed. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were performed to compare the frequency of perianal pruritus with the clinical diagnoses and with clinical and cytological parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Perianal pruritus was seen in 39 of 75 dogs with CAD, in 29 of 57 dogs with ARF and in only 24 of 118 dogs with other conditions. The frequency of perianal pruritus in dogs with CAD and/or ARF was significantly higher than that in dogs with other diagnoses (P < 0.0001). No other disease was significantly associated with perianal pruritus. Perianal pruritus was significantly associated with signs of perianal alopecia, erythema, excoriations, lichenification and hyperpigmentation; it was not associated with the presence of bacteria or yeasts or with anal sac impaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perianal pruritus was seen more frequently in dogs with AFR/CAD than with other dermatological diseases. This is the first study to evaluate perianal pruritus in dogs with skin disease and without anal sac disease.
authors.affiliation: Servizi Dermatologici Veterinari, Strada Bedale della Ressia 2, 12016, Peveragno, Cuneo, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maina
authors.affiliation: Private practitioner, Via Macchieraldo 19, 13900, Biella, BI, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galzerano
authors.affiliation: Private practitioner, Via Macchieraldo 19, 13900, Biella, BI, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Noli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011538:Pruritus Ani / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*