Environmental risk factors for canine atopic dermatitis: a retrospective large‐scale study in Labrador and golden retrievers

Harvey, Naomi D.; Shaw, Steven C.; Craigon, Peter J.; Blott, Sarah C.; England, Gary C.W.

Abstract

Background - canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is one the most common and distressing skin disorders seen in dogs. It is characterised by dysfunction in the skin barrier, with a complex pathogenesis combining both genetic and environmental factors.

Objectives - to evaluate associations between environmental factors and case-control status in two closely related, at-risk breeds, the Labrador and Golden retriever.

Animals - 2,445 pet dogs, of which 793 were classed as cases (575 Labradors and
218 Golden retrievers) and 1,652 as controls (1,120 Labradors and 532 Golden retrievers). Methods – case-control status was assigned based upon owner response to a standardised validated questionnaire. Retrospective data on rearing environment was collected via additional questions. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were utilised to evaluate associations between environmental factors and case-control status.

Results - risk factors included being reared in an urban environment (not living currently in an urban environment), being male, being neutered, receiving flea control, and being allowed on upholstered furniture. Protective factors included living with other dogs (not cats) and walking in woodlands, fields or beaches. Additionally, amongst Labradors, chocolate coated dogs were at greater risk of having cAD than black or yellow coated dogs.

Conclusions and clinical importance - This study is the largest of its kind to date to investigate the role of the environment in canine atopic dermatitis. Although precise triggers are unclear, this study contributes to those of earlier studies to highlight the protective role of a rural environment and highlights some novel associations with disease development.

Citation

Harvey, N. D., Shaw, S. C., Craigon, P. J., Blott, S. C., & England, G. C. (2019). Environmental risk factors for canine atopic dermatitis: a retrospective large‐scale study in Labrador and golden retrievers. Veterinary Dermatology, 30(5), 396-e119. https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12782

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 24, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Aug 13, 2019
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Deposit Date: Jun 25, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 14, 2020
• Journal: Veterinary Dermatology
• Print ISSN: 0959-4493
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-3164
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 30
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 396-e119
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12782
• Keywords: Dog; Atopic dermatitis; Epidemiology; Allergy; Risk factors
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2228546
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/vde.12782
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Harvey, N. D., Shaw, S. C., Craigon, P. J., Blott, S. C. and England, G. C. (2019), Environmental risk factors for canine atopic dermatitis: a retrospective large‐scale study in Labrador and golden retrievers. Vet Dermatol, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12782; . This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.