Behavioural Differences in Dogs with Atopic Dermatitis Suggest Stress Could Be a Significant Problem Associated with Chronic Pruritus

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

Abstract

Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a common allergic skin condition in dogs that causes chronic pruritus. The overall quality of life in dogs with cAD is known to be reduced, and human patients with pruritic conditions report significant psychological burdens from pruritus-induced stress, and atopic dermatitis is associated with significant psychopathological morbidities. We tested the hypothesis that dogs with cAD would display more problem behaviours that could be indicative of stress than would healthy controls. Behavioural data were gathered directly from owners using a validated dog behaviour questionnaire for 343 dogs with a diagnosis of cAD and 552 healthy controls, and scores were also provided for their dog’s pruritus severity. Regression modelling, controlling for potential confounding variables (age, sex, breed, neuter status or other health problem(s)) showed for the first time that pruritus severity in dogs with cAD was associated with increased frequency of behaviours often considered problematic, such as mounting, chewing, hyperactivity, coprophagia, begging for and stealing food, attention-seeking, excitability, excessive grooming, and reduced trainability. Whilst causality cannot be ascertained from this study, the behaviours that were associated with pruritus severity are redirected, self/environment-directed displacement behaviours, which are often considered indicative of stress. Further investigation is warranted, and stress reduction could be helpful when treating dogs with cAD.

Citation

Harvey, N. D., Craigon, P. J., Shaw, S. C., Blott, S. C., & England, G. C. (2019). Behavioural Differences in Dogs with Atopic Dermatitis Suggest Stress Could Be a Significant Problem Associated with Chronic Pruritus. Animals, 9(10), Article 813. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9100813

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 6, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Oct 16, 2019
• Publication Date: Oct 16, 2019
• Deposit Date: Oct 16, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 17, 2019
• Journal: Animals
• Electronic ISSN: 2076-2615
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 10
• Article Number: 813
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9100813
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2846469
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/9/10/813
• Contract Date: Oct 17, 2019