Canine atopic dermatitis is very similar to eczema in humans. It is a complex condition that involves a poor skin barrier, abnormal skin inflammation, allergies to environmental and/or food allergens, and a dysbiosis of the cutaneous microbiome.
Atopic dermatitis is a lifelong disease that requires ongoing management. Regular proactive therapy to maintain remission is required to avoid flares and the march towards chronic inflammation. Chronic end stage disease is much harder to control and the changes may be irreversible.
Multimodal therapy to address the different triggers in each dog is more successful that relying on single agents. There is now a wide variety of different treatment options for canine atopic dermatitis. However, treatment is highly individual as dogs vary in their presentation, triggers, stage of disease, tolerance and efficacy. This lecture will discuss the indications, advantages and disadvantages of different therapeutic options that must be considered when planning treatment.
Cytology in practice (workshop track 1)
Cytology techniques are relatively simple, minimally invasive and cost-effective. It can be very helpful in achieving a diagnosis or guiding the next steps in an investigation. Cytology is particularly important in antimicrobial stewardship, where it offers a rapid, patient-side confirmation of bacterial infection. In many cases, moreover, cytology can give a good indication of the bacteria involved in the infection. This facilitates rational antibiotic choices.
This quiz will be a light-hearted way to explore the cytology of infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic and other skin lesions. Along the way, we’ll learn about different techniques and using an algorithmic approach to diagnosis.
Dr. Tim Nuttall
Tim has over 20 years of experience in research, clinical trials and managing CAD. He is a member of the international Committee in Allergic Diseases in Animals (ICADA), and has worked on their CAD position papers and treatment guidelines.
