Canine atopic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition causing persistent itch and secondary infections that significantly impairs quality of life, requiring long-term multimodal management.
Chronic itch causes profound welfare impairment that is often underappreciated. Dogs with severe CAD spend significant portions of their waking hours scratching, licking, and rubbing, and the associated sleep disruption, social withdrawal, and irritability further reduce their quality of life. Scratching and licking at night, kept from view, may mean owners underestimate the severity of their dog's suffering. Modern targeted therapies have dramatically improved the welfare of affected dogs — JAK inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies against key itch-mediating proteins can provide rapid, effective relief. Treatment should be started promptly rather than delayed, as early intervention reduces the risk of secondary infections and skin lichenification.