Role of the environment in the development of canine atopic dermatitis in Labrador and golden retrievers

Abstract

Canine and human atopic dermatitis are multifaceted diseases whose clinical development may be influenced by several factors, such as genetic background, environment, secondary infections, food and psychological effects. The role of the environment has been extensively examined in humans but remains unclear in dogs. The aim of this study was to examine environmental factors in two genetically close breeds, Labrador and golden retrievers. Using standard criteria, atopic dogs in Switzerland and Germany were selected and compared with healthy individuals. Information on environmental factors was collected using a 46-question survey encompassing date and place of birth, way of life at the breeder's and owner's home, food and treatments. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess the association between potential risk factors and disease status. The following parameters were associated with an increased risk of disease development: living in a shed during puppyhood, adoption at the age of 8-12 weeks and washing the dog regularly. In contrast, the following factors were associated with a lower risk: living in a rural environment, living in a household with other animals and walking in a forest. These associations do not prove causality but support the primary hypothesis that certain environmental factors may influence the development of canine atopic dermatitis. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results and conclusions.

Environmental and phenotype-related risk factors for owner-reported allergic/atopic skin symptoms and for canine atopic dermatitis verified by veterinarian in a Finnish dog population

“…In this present study, living with other dogs was associated with a decreased risk of both veterinary-verified CAD and owner-reported allergic/atopic skin symptoms, which is in line with the study of CAD done by Meury et al [23]. The hygiene hypothesis was introduced over 20 years ago, based on data showing that the incidence of eczema and hay fever in humans was lower in big families with a larger number of siblings [44] or brothers [45].…”

“…Having animals in the household may have a protective effect against the development of allergic diseases in humans, as has been reported regarding both dogs [8, 16–20] and cats [16, 18, 21, 22]. Similar results were also found in a canine study, where the presence of cats and/or other dogs in the household were inversely associated with CAD [23]. A positive history of parental AD and allergies in humans has been found to be associated with the risk of developing AD [17, 20, 24–28], which highlights the role of genetics along with environmental factors.…”

“…In the second study, where only 119 dogs of three different breeds were used, both the breeders and owners completed a questionnaire concerning dog nutrition and environment [40]. The third study included only Labrador and golden retrievers from Germany and Switzerland [23]. They had an overall of 378 dogs that were examined by a veterinary dermatologist, and the owners completed a 46-item questionnaire.…”

“…In a Swedish dog population, the occurrence of CAD among dogs living in urban areas was shown to be 57% higher than among the rest of the population [39], and the same research group reported an association between an increased human population density and a higher incidence rate of CAD [40]. A study among Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers also showed an association between living in a rural environment and decreased risk of AD [23]. There can be multiple reasons for the associations between rural environment and lower incidence of CAD, e.g.…”

Characterisation of dog sensitisation to grass pollen in western France from 1999 to 2010

“…However, the West Highland white terrier appeared to be more susceptible to Timothy grass pollen sensitisation, or could have had a more significant exposure to factors triggering sensitisation. It has been proposed that an urban lifestyle is associated with an increased likelihood of atopic dermatitis (Favrot and others 2010, Meury and others 2011). Indeed, some breeds are likely over-represented in urban areas (ie, the West Highland white terrier, poodle, and French bulldog) and could be more often exposed to some particular environmental factors (eg, house dust and diesel exhaust particles) (Diaz-Sanchez and others 1997) or more frequent shampoos (Meury and others 2011), and these factors may explain their higher sensitisation rate to grass pollen.…”