Survey of dermatological conditions in a population of domestic dogs in Mashhad, northeast of Iran (۲۰۰۷-۲۰۱۱)

In order to assess the prevalence of skin diseases in dogs encountered in a first opinion university small animal clinic, ۱۲۹۹ Iranian domestic dogs presented from September ۲۰۰۷ through March ۲۰۱۱ to the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Veterinary Teaching Hospital, were examined. Dermatological disorders were noted in ۱۷.۰۰% (۲۲۱/۱۲۹۹) of all the dogs examined. Pruritus was the most common presenting sign, accounting for ۲۵.۳۵% of the dermatological consultations. It was followed by erythema, maculo-papular-pustular eruptions (۱۶.۹۷%), erosive or ulcerative lesions (۱۶.۷۴%), scaling or crusting (۱۳.۰۲%), alopecia (۸.۸۴%) and visible ectoparasites (۷.۴۴%). The most common primary final diagnoses were superficial pyoderma, cutaneous manifestations of canine leishmaniasis, flea infestation and allergy, tick infestation, atopic dermatitis, scabies, unspecified dermatoses, otitis, furunculosis and food allergy. There were no apparent age or sex predilections for dermatological disease as a whole. Spitz (odds ratio = ۳.۳۸; p = ۰.۰۰۱), Terriers (odds ratio = ۲.۵۲; p < ۰.۰۰۱) and German Shepherds (odds ratio = ۱.۹۰; p = ۰.۰۰۱) appeared to be at increased risk for dermatological disease. In addition, Khorasani large cross breed dogs (odds ratio = ۰.۳۶; p = ۰.۰۰۳) and mixed breed dogs (odds ratio = ۰.۳۳; p < ۰.۰۰۱) showed decreased risk for dermatological conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first survey study on canine dermatological conditions carried out in Iran.