Clinical Signs and Offending Food Allergens in Canine Cutaneous Adverse Food Reactions in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND: Skin responses to dietary components in dogs are referred to as cutaneous adverse food reactions (CAFRs). The most frequently reported offending food allergens in dogs from Australia, Europe and North America are beef, dairy products, chicken, wheat and lamb. OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical signs and common offending food allergens associated with CAFRs of dogs from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine client-owned dogs with nonseasonal pruritus were referred to dermatology speciality practices in Malaysia and Singapore, and general practices in Indonesia between 2022 and 2024. After the exclusion of the other pruritic diseases, the dogs completed an elimination diet trial and relapsed on challenge. The offending protein source was recorded in addition to the breed, age of onset of disease and presenting clinical signs. RESULTS: Chicken protein was the most common allergen reported in Malaysia (65%), Singapore (31%) and Indonesia (63%). The most commonly affected breeds with CAFR were cross-breed in Malaysia (27%) and poodles in Singapore (22%) and Indonesia (38%). The mean age of onset of the dogs with CAFRs from the three countries was between 1 and 3 years of age (45%), with < 1 year of age reported less frequently (37%). Pedal pruritus and/or otitis were the most clinical signs affecting 68% of dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Chicken protein is the common offending food allergen associated with CAFRs in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, and clinical signs of pedal pruritus and, or otitis should warrant investigation of CAFRs once the pruritic dermatoses have been eliminated.