Epidemiology of atopic dermatitis and other allergic skin diseases in dogs and cats in Western Romania

Abstract

Allergic skin diseases in dogs and cats are an emerging problem worldwide. In the past few years, the number of cases has greatly increased and a rising interest in their treatment and diagnosis exists among veterinarians. The aim of this study is to make a short description of the epidemiological situation of these skin problems in the western part of Romania. The study was conducted during a 3-year period in a total of 8 clinics from three different counties in western Romania: two clinics from the Mehedinti County, three clinics from Timis County and three clinics from Arad County. Reports were made regarding the number of patients, which were presented at the clinics and were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, flea allergy dermatitis or other types of allergy (food allergy, contact allergy). This way we managed to obtain a preliminary ratio of allergic affections in dogs and cats in the western part of Romania. The average value for cats in all three counties was 10.74% of all cases presented at the clinics and 45.22% of the cases that presented dermatological symptoms. The average value for dogs in all three counties was 5.94% of all cases presented at the clinics and 42.49% of the cases that presented dermatological symptoms.