Atopic dermatitis and the skin barrier with dogs:
what do we know?
what do we know?
Antonella Vercelli
Dr Antonella Vercelli has a passion for dermatology and ophthalmology. Her experiences started during her university years at the faculty of Turin. During her career she has been very involved as an author of multiple publications, as well as a speaker at national and international courses and congresses about dermatology and ophthalmology.
Luisa Cornegliani
Dr Luisa Cornegliani has a special interest in veterinary dermatology and internal medicine. She has been a member of the ESVD (European Society of Veterinary Dermatology) since 1996, and a diplomat at the European College of Veterinary Dermatology since 2006. Additionally, she is a teacher and speaker at congresses, and she published multiple articles about dermatology.
Dogs with atopic dermatitis: explanation and symptoms
The skin of dogs and cats is a complex structure, the external part of which is made up of the epidermis. The epidermis is the principal bulwark against external pathogens such as chemical and physical agents. It is also essential for maintaining normal homeostasis, since it prevents the penetration of allergens and pathogens. In particular, the cells of the outermost layer of the epidermis, the corneocytes, create a veritable protective “wall”.
In dogs with atopic dermatitis, the surface layer of the corneocytes is altered and the intercellular components are damaged. More specifically, the healthy outermost layer is made up of ceramides (50%), fatty acids (10%), cholesterol (25%) and cholesterol associated with glucosylceramide derivatives (15%).
Dogs with atopic dermatitis have lower amounts of these substances, causing an increase in cutaneous permeability, both inwards and outwards. This results in greater skin dehydration (the TEWL, or trans epidermal water loss, is increased by approximately 3 times compared to healthy dogs) and a greater passage of allergens. This abnormality leads to a worsening of the clinical symptoms and the inflammatory process of the disease. No less important is the fact that bacteria will have a greater adherence to the corneocytes of dogs with atopy, as a consequence of their impaired skin barrier function.
In dogs with atopic dermatitis, the surface layer of the corneocytes is altered and the intercellular components are damaged. More specifically, the healthy outermost layer is made up of ceramides (50%), fatty acids (10%), cholesterol (25%) and cholesterol associated with glucosylceramide derivatives (15%).
Treatment for dogs with atopic dermatitis
The treatment of atopic dermatitis must therefore also include effective treatments to rebalance the skin barrier. In particular, it is necessary to try to make up for the lack of ceramides and fatty acids (...)
Do you want to continue reading?
To read the entire article 'Atopic dermatitis and the skin barrier with dogs: what do we know?' we request you to login, or to register on the Hill's Vet Academy.