August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month. Many of us have probably experienced an itchy or allergic dog. And if you haven’t, consider yourself lucky! Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD), also known as allergic dermatitis or atopy, is a condition that affects approximately 10-15% of the dog population. While there is still much to learn about this disease, we have learned that atopic dermatitis occurs due to a skin barrier defect, which allows allergens to absorb deeper into the skin where the immune system can access them. Thus, when an atopic dog comes into contact with the offending allergen(s), their body creates a skewed immune response leading to an allergic reaction.

The primary symptom of atopic dermatitis is itchiness, usually in the feet, face, ears, armpits, front legs, and/or abdomen. Scratching and licking can lead to hair loss, hotspots or other irritations, skin thickening and more. Secondary skin infections and/or ear infections can develop and make symptoms worse.

Traditional treatments for CAD are generally aimed at controlling symptoms, and do not cure the disease. Frequent bathing can help remove allergens, and allergy desensitization injections are tailored for individual pets after extensive testing. However, these treatments are time-consuming and may not be feasible for everyone. Unfortunately, CAD requires lifelong management.

VetStem Cell Therapy has shown success for various diseases beyond orthopedic conditions, but results can vary. At VetStem, we evaluate each case individually to see if stem cell therapy is a viable option, especially for challenging conditions like CAD where traditional treatments may not effectively control the disease. One tool that stem cells utilize is immunomodulation, or the ability to modify the immune response. Since there is an immune component to atopic dermatitis, it is theorized that stem cells can down-regulate a dog’s immune response thereby making his/her body less reactive to specific allergens.

Multiple veterinarians have utilized VetStem Cell Therapy to treat atopy in both dogs and cats. While the research is limited in this disease, there is some promising anecdotal evidence. Some veterinarians have reported an improvement in symptoms after treatment with stem cells. In some cases, patients have required less allergy medication than before stem cell therapy.

While we can’t say that stem cells will help every dog with atopic dermatitis, we do believe that some may benefit from treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy based on the responses reported from the veterinarians and owners who have implemented it. As with most medical treatment options, each patient will respond differently so results cannot be guaranteed.

If you think your allergic pet may benefit from treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy, speak to your veterinarian or contact us to find a VetStem provider near you.