The clinical records of 61 cases of canine atopic dermatitis treated with allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) were analysed retrospectively. Clinical signs were evaluated before ASIT started and three months after starting ASIT. An "excellent" response was defined as the clinical signs are well controlled with ASIT either alone or with shampooing, a "good response" as the dose of systemic predonisolone was lowered compared with the before ASIT starting, and a "poor response" as the predonisole dosage did not decrease or clinical signs were exacerbated by ASIT. Of the 61 cases, 27 (44.3 per cent) had "excellent" response to ASIT, 20 (32.8 per cent) had "good response", and 14 (23.0 per cent) had "poor" response. Dogs which started ASIT at under 2 years old had a significantly better response rate than those of over 6 years old (P<0.05). No significant differences in response rates were observed with the association of the breed or sex of the dog, or the duration of the disease. Dogs with the early onset of atopy, the early start of ASIT or the short duration of the disease were associated with the good response to ASIT.

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A 9-year-old, female miniature Dachshund presented with scale and alopecia on the muzzle except for the nose, external canthi, footpads and dorsal trunk, hypopigmentation and edema on the eyelids and vulva. Histopathologic examination showed hyperkeratosis, liquefaction degeneration, and mild to moderate infiltration of lymphocytes at the superficial dermis. Complete blood counts, serum chemistry analysis, serum thyroxin level and antinuclear antibody test did not show any abnormalities. Based on these findings, the dog was diagnosed as having non-classic, cutaneous lupus erythematosus. As steroid pulse therapy, oral triamcinolone was introduced, and then oral methylprednisolone was administered. In addition, oral azathioprine was used concurrently. These medications were effective, and discontinued after remission. Skin lesions reappeared when the owners left home in for a long time. These lesions subsided with previous treatment, and behavior modification was used for continuous remission instead of any medications.

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Five-year-old, castrated male Irish Setter presented with gradually growing circumscribed papillomatous plaque at the left shoulder. This lesion was resected surgically, and histopathologic examination revealed hypertrophic anagen hair follicles with abundant mature connective tissue. The lesion was diagnosed as follicular hamartoma, and no lesions have recurred for 6 months.

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