Effects of Post-Therapy Changes on the Level of Immunoglobulin M in Dogs with Dermatitis

Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin characterized by itching, hair loss, lesions, and redness. Various agents can cause dermatitis, including Sarcoptes scabiei, Demodex canis, and Microsporum canis. Animals experiencing dermatitis undergo internal changes in their bodies, particularly in the immune system. The presence of an infection is usually preceded by the appearance of Immunoglobulin M (IgM). This study aimed to determine the differences in IgM levels in dogs with dermatitis before therapy (pre-therapy) and after therapy (post-therapy), as well as the differences in IgM levels between dogs with mild and severe dermatitis. The study involved 40 local dogs, divided into two groups, including 20 dogs with mild dermatitis and 20 dogs with severe dermatitis. Serum sampling was conducted in two phases: the first phase was pre-therapy, and the second phase was 14 days after therapy (post-therapy). The therapy administered to dogs with mild dermatitis consisted of diphenhydramine HCl and ivermectin, while the therapy for dogs with severe dermatitis included diphenhydramine HCl, ivermectin, amoxicillin, and dexamethasone. Serum samples from the dogs were then tested using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay method. The results of the study revealed that serum IgM levels in dogs with mild and severe dermatitis did not show any significant difference. In dogs with mild dermatitis, serum IgM levels before therapy were not statistically different compared to those after therapy. However, in dogs with severe dermatitis, serum IgM levels before therapy were significantly higher compared to after therapy. The results of this study indicate that therapy can impact serum IgM levels in dogs with severe dermatitis, while it does not significantly affect these levels in cases of mild dermatitis.