Owner assessment of pruritus and gastrointestinal signs in apparently healthy dogs with no history of cutaneous or noncutaneous disease

Abstract

A standard method of asking relevant questions was developed and the frequency of GI signs and many behaviours that may indicate pruritus in apparently healthy dogs was established.

Environmental and phenotype-related risk factors for owner-reported allergic/atopic skin symptoms and for canine atopic dermatitis verified by veterinarian in a Finnish dog population

“…This can lead to an underestimation of skin problems and the owners to consider their dogs to be healthy. On the other hand, the dogs diagnosed as healthy by the veterinarian can be assessed by the owner as having pruritus above the ‘apparently normal’ level [79]. There are actions that correlate with higher pruritus, like paw licking/chewing, facial/muzzle rubbing, head shaking, and sneezing, but the owner may not associate this with pruritus and skin symptoms [79].…”

“…On the other hand, the dogs diagnosed as healthy by the veterinarian can be assessed by the owner as having pruritus above the ‘apparently normal’ level [79]. There are actions that correlate with higher pruritus, like paw licking/chewing, facial/muzzle rubbing, head shaking, and sneezing, but the owner may not associate this with pruritus and skin symptoms [79]. Also, some dogs may have clearly visible erythema but no signs of pruritus, or vice versa [80].…”

A randomized, double‐blinded crossover trial testing the benefit of two hydrolysed poultry‐based commercial diets for dogs with spontaneous pruritic chicken allergy

“…currently managed with a nonchicken‐based diet (i.e. a “nonreactive diet”); (ii) PVAS ≤2.5 prior to feeding RCU and HZD; (iii) a positive challenge to chicken meat in the 2 month period preceding the enrolment: this was defined as a flare of at least moderate pruritus (PVAS ≥5) within 2 weeks of beginning the ingestion of chicken meat; (iv) a negative challenge to corn in the 2 month period preceding enrolment (i.e. no flare of pruritus within 2 weeks of ingesting corn); and (v) no history of gastrointestinal AFRs.…”

Evaluation of cytology collection techniques and prevalence of Malassezia yeast and bacteria in claw folds of normal and allergic dogs

“…Sixty client‐owned dogs were classified into three groups based on information obtained from physical examination, anamnesis and a questionnaire provided by the owners. Group A dogs had no history of skin or ear canal disease nor gastrointestinal disorders as defined by published criteria . Group B dogs had confirmed CAD and/or CAFR with no clinical evidence of claw disease (lack of brown staining, erythema, swelling, crusts, waxy debris and exudates).…”

“…Group A dogs had no history of skin or ear canal disease nor gastrointestinal disorders as defined by published criteria. 6,7 Group B dogs had confirmed CAD and/or CAFR with no clinical evidence of claw disease (lack of brown staining, erythema, swelling, crusts, waxy debris and exudates). Group C dogs had confirmed CAD and/or CAFR with clinically apparent paronychia.…”