The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (XIX): general principles of therapy

The treatment of canine atopic dermatitis is multifaceted and consists of a combination of actions that include the use of allergen avoidance, anti-inflammatory agents, allergen-specific immunotherapy and antimicrobial drugs. The importance and order of these treatment steps vary from patient to patient. General recommendations for each of the therapeutic steps are highlighted in this paper. Specific details are covered in other papers of this issue.