Basepaws seeks participants for feline and canine dermatitis research

Content submitted by Basepaws, a dvm360® Strategic Alliance Partner

Atopic dermatitis, also known as atopy or non-flea non-food allergic dermatitis, is the second most common allergy in cats¹ and in dogs² after flea allergy dermatitis. This painful and uncomfortable condition affects 12.5% of all cats³ and 10-15% of all dogs.⁴

Though their causes differ, the clinical signs of atopy and food allergic dermatitis can often appear indistinguishable making it difficult to distinguish one condition from the other and implement timely, individualized treatment that gets pets the targeted relief that they need.

Basepaws feline and canine dermatitis research

No single test exists that can reliably diagnose feline atopy.³ Basepaws, however, has conducted preliminary research through its citizen science program that demonstrates how the state of the oral microbiome can be a powerful indicator of either atopy or food allergic dermatitis.

The company is building off of and validating these initial findings through its clinical research program, the results of which will inform the development of a new buccal swab test that aims to aid with reliably distinguishing between atopy and food allergic dermatitis in cats and dogs. Such a test has the potential to streamline clinical diagnosis so that pets can receive individualized treatment and experience improved quality of life sooner.

A simple five-second swab of a pet’s mouth and gums using a painless and non-invasive DNA test allows Basepaws to collect genetic information that points toward a pet’s predisposition to disease, as well as sample the types and levels of microbes in a pet’s mouth that can serve as indicators of a current, active disease state. This combined information allows Basepaws to examine the interplay between host genetics and the oral microbiome, and how they can be used together for earlier detection of atopy, food allergic dermatitis, and other diseases in cats and dogs.⁵

Help change the future of dermatitis diagnosis and treatment

If you are a veterinary professional in a practice that has a prevalence of feline or canine atopic dermatitis and/or food allergic dermatitis cases, Basepaws welcomes you to join this research effort. The genetic and oral microbiome health data from these studies could potentially inform the development of new screening tools that could change the future of diagnosis and treatment for dogs and cats affected by these debilitating conditions.

To participate, there is a simple study protocol to follow for collecting an oral swab sample from qualifying patients, in addition to filling out basic screening information for each sample and sharing patients’ clinical records. Compensation is provided for every collected sample that matches particular criteria, and Basepaws will supply the oral swab collection kits for obtaining clinical samples.

Please contact Basepaws directly at science@basepaws.com to participate. You can also visit the Basepaws Research page to learn about additional clinical studies for which the company is currently recruiting.

References

1. O'Dair HA, Markwell PJ, Maskell IE. An open prospective investigation into aetiology in a group of cats with suspected allergic skin disease. Vet Dermatol. 1996;7(4):193-202. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3164.1996.tb00246.x
2. Elfenbein H. Atopic dermatitis in dogs: Causes, symptoms, and treatment. PetMD. February 13, 2020. Accessed November 8, 2021. https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_dg_atopic_dermatitis
3. Bajwa J. Atopic dermatitis in cats. Can Vet J. 2018;59(3):311-313.
4. Gedon NKY, Mueller RS. Atopic dermatitis in cats and dogs: a difficult disease for animals and owners. Clin Transl Allergy. 2018;8:41. Published 2018 Oct 5. doi:10.1186/s13601-018-0228-5
5. Basepaws seeks participants for clinical research on GI lymphoma and IBD. dvm360. May 5, 2022. Accessed May 20, 2022. https://www.dvm360.com/view/basepaws-seeks-participants-for-clinical-research-on-gi-lymphoma-and-ibd