23 To cite this paper: Pusparini NPDP, Suwiti NK, Suardana IBK, and Besung INK (2025). Effects of Post-Therapy Changes on the Level of Immunoglobulin M in Dogs with Dermatitis. World Vet. J., 15(1): 23-30. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.54203/scil.2025.wvj3 2025, Scienceline Publication World ’s Veterinary Journal World Vet J, 15(1): 23-30. ISSN 2322-4568 Effects of Post-Therapy Changes on the Level of Immunoglobulin M in Dogs with Dermatitis Ni Putu Dyah Prashanti Pusparini 1 * , Ni Ketut Suwiti 2 , Ida Bagus Kade Suardana 3 , and I Nengah Kerta Besung 3 1 Master of Veterinary Medicine Student, Udayana University, Denpasar 80234, Bali, Indonesia 2 Department of Veterinary Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Udayana University, Denpasar 80234, Bali, Indonesia 3 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Udayana University, Denpasar 80234, Bali, Indonesia *Corresponding author's Email: dyahprashantip@gmail.com ABSTRACT 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. Keywords: Dermatitis, Dog, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Immunoglobulin M, Ivermectin, Therapy ORIGINAL ARTICLE Received: December 29, 2024 Revised: January 27, 2025 Accepted: February 18, 2025 Published: March 30, 2025 INTRODUCTION Dogs are among the animals that can live alongside humans. One of the health issues frequently encountered in dogs is skin disorders, such as dermatitis (Marsella and De Benedetto, 2017). The occurrence of dermatitis in dogs is often closely related to poor management practices. Several triggering factors for the emergence of dermatitis include cleanliness and skin care, improper nutrition, parasite control, and an uncomfortable environment. Stress and the mental health of dogs, such as a lack of playtime, exercise, and sufficient social interaction, can reduce their resistance to infections (Valenzuela et al., 2013). Dermatitis is an inflammation or irritation of the skin characterized by symptoms such as itching, hair loss, sores, and redness (Ali et al., 2024). The causes of dermatitis can vary, including parasitic infections (ticks and mites), bacterial infections, fungal infections, nutritional deficiencies, physiological stress, and genetic factors (Trinh et al., 2024). Additionally, other factors, such as the environment, the cleanliness of dog handlers, and the immunity of each individual, influence the incidence of dermatitis (Kristianty et al., 2017). Dermatitis can cause inflammation or lesions on the skin, with varying degrees of severity. These lesions can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe, and can be differentiated into primary and secondary lesions (Suwiti et al., 2022). Dogs experiencing mild dermatitis show mild itching, hair loss, and the formation of non-extensive primary lesions (Suwiti et al., 2022). Conversely, dogs with severe dermatitis experience intense itching, scratching, and continuous biting of their bodies, which can lead to skin damage and inflammation. This condition is often accompanied by open wounds due to excessive scratching, as well as primary and secondary lesions that extend throughout the body (Almutawa et al., 2024). The treatment of dermatitis in dogs generally involves administering antihistamines to reduce itching or pruritus, using ivermectin for antiparasitic purposes, administering anti-inflammatory medications to alleviate skin inflammation, and prescribing antibiotics to prevent secondary infections (Cahyaniarta et al., 2019; Papich, 2023). The occurrence of dermatitis often occurs in the same dog. Dermatitis can lead to changes in the animal's internal body, particularly in the immune system (Ferreira et al., 2021). Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is one type of antibody produced by the animal's DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.54203/scil.2025.wvj3 PII: S232245682500003-15