![]() It is most commonly triggered by one or more types of environmental allergens such as dust mites, pollens, and molds. The ICADA’s most recent description of CAD is a genetically predisposed pruritic (itchy) and inflammatory skin disorder. However, there is also an abundance of helpful information for owners who wish to learn more about CAD and about how to best manage this disorder in their dogs. Naturally, there is a lot of information in these reports that is of interest primarily to researchers and practicing veterinarians. This means that the committee recommends only procedures and treatments that have supporting scientific evidence and that they systematically rate the scientific merit of that evidence. The first set of these guidelines was published in 2010 and recently, a revised edition was made available.Ī central component of these guidelines is that they follow the tenets of evidence-based medicine. One of the most important is to develop and distribute a set of practical guidelines for veterinarians to use when diagnosing and treating CAD. ![]() Now comprised of veterinary dermatologists from around the world, the committee has a series of objectives. The committee was eventually expanded to include international representation, and its name was changed accordingly, to the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals (ICADA). That collection of 24 papers provided practicing veterinarians and dermatologists with up-to-date information about the diagnosis, treatment, and management of CAD. The initial group spent two years reviewing existing knowledge about CAD and published its findings in 2001. In 1999, the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD) established a committee to study canine atopic dermatitis (hereafter CAD). Indeed, the task force has quite a bit more to say about effective and not-so-effective approaches to managing itchy dogs. This benefit is not that surprising because, according to two reports (See here and here) by an international task force on canine atopic dermatitis, frequent bathing of dogs, with the specific purpose of removing and reducing exposure to allergens, is identified as one of the most important factors in relieving pruritus (itchiness). Once our dogs started to have daily swims, we found that this form of frequent bathing kept allergy signs at bay throughout the summer, simply by its ability to physically reduce exposure to allergens and to cleanse the skin. We have successfully managed this using frequent bathing, topical medications, and when absolutely necessary, short periods of oral (systemic) medication. This is not unusual given that we have Golden Retrievers (a breed that is genetically predisposed to atopy) and we live in the Midwest, an area with lots of allergens for hypersensitive dogs to react to. Over the years, several of our dogs have suffered from atopic dermatitis (also known as atopy). The pool and the daily swims that it provides help to keep itchy dogs from itching all summer long. In addition to the daily joy, excitement, and happiness that our pool brings to us all, we have found that it has had an additional benefit for some of our dogs. They will swim as long into the fall season as we allow and I am pretty certain that our Toller, Chippy, would bring out an ice pick and break his way through the ice if he could. An unforgettable night in the reindeer collar at Tjokkola, Stekenjokk mountains in Swedish Lapland.In late autumn, we closed our pool, an annual event that all four of our swim-loving dogs dread.A sunny morning with the dogs on the beach at our cottage in Lapland.The Miracles already 3 years old - hurray!.Merveille got an Excellent at the Barbet Clubmatch today.Thank God the kids did not use the same sunlotion! The kids were not affected and after some studying on the Internet it seems that my sunscreen lotion must contain unsaturated fatty acids that are a stimuli for the parasites' penetration into the skin. Tips are welcome! I do not think I will ever swim in a small lake again. Nothing seems to help to calm the itching. What I did not know was that the waters were infected with parasites and the day after my whole body was covered with red, itchy spots called Swimmer's itch (badklåda, swemmers jeuk). My good friend Maaike and Yatzie are always cuddeling so sweetly I had to take a photo of the two! ![]() Normally she can find everything she hides but after search - retrieve excercises for half an hour we both gave up. ![]() Yatzie was happily jumping off the pier to get her beloved orange water dummy - but after a while we lost it. The weekend was so hot we took off to a nice lake, where dogs are allowed (Kleine Plass, Maarssen). ![]()
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