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

Abstract

Simple SummaryCanine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a common allergic skin condition in dogs that causes long-term itching; it is similar to eczema in people. The overall quality of life in dogs with cAD is known to be reduced, and humans with eczema report significant psychological burdens from itching that increase stress levels and can lead to the development of additional mental health problems. We tested whether 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 the severity of itching experienced by their dog. The results showed that itch severity in dogs with cAD was associated with increased frequency of behaviours often considered problematic, such as: mounting, chewing, hyperactivity, coprophagia (eating faeces), begging for and stealing food, attention-seeking, excitability, excessive grooming and reduced trainability. Whilst we cannot know whether itching directly caused these differences, the behaviours that were associated with itch severity are of a type that are often considered by behavioural biologists to be indicative of stress. Further investigation is warranted, and stress reduction could be helpful when treating dogs with cAD.AbstractCanine 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.

Hair cortisol concentration, disease severity and quality of life in dogs with atopic dermatitis during lokivetmab therapy

“…Concomitantly, there was a significant reduction in pruritus during lokivetmab and combined with non‐glucocorticoid topical treatment. These data provide the support that levels of pruritus in cAD correlate with stress, corroborating the results of another study, 13 where behavioural indicators of stress were associated with the severity of pruritus. These findings highlight the impact that a pruritic disease plays on the emotional welfare of dogs.…”

“…Pruritus and disease severity in dogs with AD are associated with an increased frequency of behaviours considered indicative of stress 13 . Cortisol classically is considered a stress marker, 14 and hair cortisol levels recently have been investigated as a possible biomarker for chronic stress in dogs, and a significant correlation between the clinical severity of CAD and hair cortisol has been demonstrated 15 .…”

Mortality Resulting from Undesirable Behaviours in Dogs Aged Three Years and under Attending Primary-Care Veterinary Practices in Australia

“…Aggression associated with concurrent chronic disease and, most notably, chronic skin disease was also noted in the EPRs in the current study. Dogs with skin allergies have been previously associated with increased problem behaviours and lower trainability scores [ 55 ]. A highly aroused dog can also be motivated to aggress if it enters a negative emotional state [ 56 ].…”

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“…Genital self-harm as an abnormal clinical symptom of separation anxiety has been reported in dogs [9]. Separation anxiety symptoms include barking, trembling, housesoiling and stereotypical licking behaviors when a dog is separated from its owner or other persons to whom they are attached [10]. As this patient rarely engaged in licking behavior when his owner was not present and there were no other signs of separation anxiety (such as excessive barking or tremors at the onset of separation), separation anxiety was excluded.…”