Evidence-based Treatment of Canine Atopic Dermatitis

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is one of the more common skin diseases in small animal practice and in many respects similar to the frequently diagnosed atopic dermatitis in humans. A number of drugs have been reported as successful treatment for atopic dermatitis, but in contrast to the human side, many treatment modalities have not been evaluated carefully with randomized controlled trials (RCT) in the veterinary field.

Glucocorticoids

Topical 0.015% triamcinolone acetonide as well as 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate were evaluated in RCTs. Oral glucocortocoids typically were evaluated as standard-of-care controls in RCTs for comparison with other interventions and methylprednisolone, prednisone and prednisolone at 0.4-1 mg/kg/day were most commonly used. Adverse effects included polyphagia, PU/PD, weight gain and/or intermittend GI signs. There is good evidence for high efficacy of oral and topical glucocorticoids and low harm of short term treatment. The benefit of long term treatment with glucocorticoids must be weighed against the risk of adverse drug effects impacting on health and quality of life. [...]