Canine atopic dermatitis is a chronic, hereditary allergic skin disease affecting 10-15% of dogs, causing relentless itching, skin infections, and reduced quality of life that requires lifelong management.
Atopic dermatitis causes chronic, relentless itching that profoundly reduces quality of life. The itch is not occasional or mild - it disrupts sleep, prevents normal activity, and drives compulsive scratching and licking that causes self-trauma. Secondary bacterial and yeast infections from disrupted skin barrier add pain to the pruritus. Without effective management, atopic dogs exist in a chronic state of misery. The excellent efficacy of modern treatments including Apoquel and Cytopoint makes undertreated atopic dermatitis a preventable welfare failure - many dogs on appropriate therapy transform from chronically miserable to comfortable and engaged. The hereditary component makes breeding decisions relevant to preventing the condition in future generations.