Allergies in Dogs

Just as humans, dogs too suffer from various kinds of allergies. It's essential for dog owners to know about the various types of allergies that their beloved pooch can suffer and also the treatment for it. To find out more about allergies in dogs, read on...

Being a dog owner myself, I know exactly how it feels to see my pet suffer from any kind of illness or discomfort. Not only are you anxious to know what caused the illness, you also want your pet to get rid of it as soon as possible. A major cause of distress among dogs can be an allergy. Most dogs are prone to skin allergies, food allergies or food intolerance, allergy due to vaccination or drugs and inhalant allergies. Dog allergies related to the skin and environmental substances are typically of two types, viz. seasonal and all year round. These allergies, caused due to various allergens, are difficult to diagnose due to similar symptoms. Therefore, a precise and accurate diagnosis of the allergy is required for its treatment. The various types of allergies in dogs with their symptoms, causes and treatment are discussed below.

Skin Allergies

Allergic Contact Dermatitis: It occurs as a result of the overreaction of the dog's skin to certain environmental substances. Substances that could cause this type of allergy include medicines applied to the skin, rubber or wool, grass or carpets, certain metals and chemicals.

Symptoms and Diagnosis: This type of allergy is characterized by lesions or small bumps that appear on areas like the abdomen, back of paws, muzzle, etc. They appear to be red and are itchy. They can be diagnosed by physical examination. To identify the allergen, the dog is kept away from the possible allergen and observed or a 'patch test' is conducted.

Treatment: The most effective way of treatment for allergic contact dermatitis is to keep the pet away from the allergen. Antihistamines and topical shampoos could also be used to control the itching.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis: This is a common allergy among canines and it occurs as a sensitive reaction to flea bites. The antigens in the flea saliva causes this allergic reaction and this is a seasonal type of allergy.

Symptoms and Diagnosis: When dogs develop this allergy, they bite at the end of their tails and scratch frequently. Along with the presence of fleas, severe hair loss and redness at the spot of the flea bite can be seen. Itching might continue for hours or days together. A method called intradermal skin testing is used for diagnosis.

Treatment: Flea allergy dermatitis can be treated by using flea control products like shampoos, powders and sprays that not only kills fleas but also prevents them from entering into the dog's skin. The dog's environment should also be treated with products that kill and repel fleas.

Food Allergies or Food Intolerance

Allergies related to food are common among dogs accounting for around 5-10% of the allergies in dogs. A dog is not born with food allergy, but it is developed due to hypersensitivity to certain foods. The common allergens in this type of allergy are protein-enriched foods like beef, chicken, eggs, soy, etc.

Symptoms and Diagnosis: The symptoms of food allergy are common to that of skin allergies, i.e, itching, red or inflamed lesions, etc.; while the symptoms for food intolerance are gastrointestinal in nature, i.e, diarrhea and vomiting. At times, both these symptoms can occur together. Diagnosis of food allergies is difficult, since the symptoms are similar to those of other allergies. Usually, diagnosis involves administration of a diet called elimination diet. An elimination diet consists of proteins and carbohydrates, that has never been administered to the dog before, for 12-16 weeks. Then, your pet is put back to its original diet, if it shows reduction or elimination of symptoms. If, after returning to the diet, the symptoms also return, then it is confirmed as a diagnosis of food allergy.

Treatment: Food allergies in dogs are managed by avoiding the foods or food ingredients that cause the allergic reaction.

Inhalant Allergies or Atopy

This type of allergy is caused due to the inhaling of allergens such as dust mites, pollens and molds. It is a seasonal type of allergy, but might also develop into an all-year-round one. This allergy is also caused due to certain genetic factors.

Symptoms and Diagnosis: Atopy is characterized by severe itching, scratching and biting in areas of the body like the armpits, feet, groin, etc. It leads to hair loss, lesions and redness and can be easily diagnosed.

Treatment: The treatment for atopy or inhalant allergies includes avoidance of the allergen, administering steroids and antihistamines. Topical therapy which includes using anti-itch shampoos, sprays, etc., is also an effective method.

Allergy to Vaccinations/Medications

Sometimes, canines tend to develop allergic reactions to vaccinations and medications used as stimulatives. These can be, either mild or severe reactions. The mild reaction is known as urticaria, and the severe one is known as anaphylaxis.

Urticaria: The symptoms for this type pf allergy include skin reactions, like hives and eruptions on the dog's face, forehead and armpits which causes severe itching and swelling of skin tissues around the mouth and neck. This needs to be treated by the immediate administration of antihistamines and cortisones.

Anaphylaxis: The symptoms are characterized by sudden difficulty in breathing, seizures, diarrhea and vomiting and swelling of the bronchial and tracheal tissues. This allergic reaction can be fatal and immediate veterinary assistance should be sought.

As dog owners, it is our responsibility to make sure our pets receive the appropriate treatment, in case it's suffering from any of the above-mentioned allergies or any other illness. Being aware is just another step taken in providing them with the love and care that they truly deserve!