What Types Of Allergies Are Tested
These kits test for sensitivity or intolerance to food and environmental factors that develop over time, rather than IgE allergies, which are caused by the bodys immune system. IgE allergic reactions occur within minutes of ingestion or exposure and are diagnosed through a blood test or skin prick test by veterinarians.
These kits arent meant to replace a consultation with your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has allergies. Rather, you should discuss these kits results with your veterinarian. They can complement blood or skin allergy testing that your vet performs.
Important Note: Your dog cannot actively take allergy medication for two weeks before or when you are conducting this allergy test.
Immunotherapy For Dog Allergies
Immunotherapy allergy shots for dogs are another way to treat allergies. With this type of treatment, a vet injects small amounts of what the dog is allergic to, increasing the dose slowly, so the dog can learn to tolerate the allergen. The goal is to reduce medication and the need for symptom management until its no longer needed. However, immunotherapy only treats environmental allergies, like pollen, molds, and mites, and wont work for food allergies or flea bite allergies.
Best Foods For Dogs With Allergies
Following the diagnosis, your vet will work with you to determine the best diet for your dog. A number of food options are available to help alleviate your dog’s allergy symptoms.
Prescription Dog Food
If your dog’s food allergy symptoms are severe, your vet may recommend that you feed your dog a prescription dog food. While this option can be pricey, novel protein and hydrolyzed diets available by prescription only are typically superior to those that can be purchased over the counter.
Grain-Free Dog Food
If your pet has a sensitivity to corn, wheat and other grains, a grain-free dog food may be ideal. These foods have the added benefit of also being gluten-free.
Limited Ingredient Dog Foods
Limited ingredient dog foods address the presence of allergens by including just one protein source, , often combined with just a single carbohydrate source. When shopping for limited ingredient dog foods it’s important to check for a seal of approval from the Association of American Feed Control , as well as a “complete and balanced” claim from the manufacturer.
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Allergy Medicine To The Rescue
Your dog hates his allergies as much as you might hate your own. So youre probably wondering if theres allergy medicine you can give your dog to help soothe his symptoms.
The Dodo spoke with Dr. Sara Ochoa, a veterinary consultant with Dog Lab, and Dr. Linda Simon, a veterinary surgeon and veterinary consultant for Five Barks, to find out everything you need to know about allergy medicine for dogs.
Can Dogs Get Allergy Shots For Their Allergies
Dogs can get allergy shots for environmental allergies. In fact, allergy shots are among the best treatments to manage dog allergies. Up to 80% of dogs will get a lot of relief thanks to allergy shots.
The younger your dog starts allergy shots, the more successful treatment is. Generally, most environmental allergies begin in dogs between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. As a dog gets older, allergies can worsen or new allergies can develop.
With allergy shots, you and your veterinarian must be committed to the treatment plan. It can take a full year before you can tell whether or not allergy shots are working for your dog.
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Other Antihistamines Safe For Dogs
Other antihistamines can also be given to dogs, based on their weight. These include the below antihistamines:
- Cetirizine1 milligram per kilogram of body weight or 10 to 20 milligrams per dog, once or twice per day
- Clemastine0.1 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, two times per day
- Chlorpheniramine4 milligrams, three times per dayDogs over 20 kilograms8 milligrams, three times per day0.25 to 0.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, three times per day
- Cyproheptadine0.25 to 0.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, three times per day1.1 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, two times per day
- Fexofenadine2 to 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, once or twice per day
- Hydroxyzine0.5 to 2 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, three to four times per day
- Terfenadine5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, two times per day
Does Your Dog Need A New Diet
Is dog allergy testing worth it? For sure. Discovering whats causing your pups discomfort and getting the appropriate treatment can be life-changing for your dogs health, well-being, and overall happiness.
If youve discovered from one of these tests that your dog isnt tolerant of certain ingredients hes been eating, talk to your vet about changing your dogs diet. We encourage you to read our reviews of the best dog food delivery services and foods for dogs with allergies to find a possible alternative.
Some of the fresh food options contain all-natural ingredients, and you can tailor some for your dogs food sensitivities. And be sure to read our article on how to change your dog food gradually and safely.
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Are There Hypoallergenic Pets
All dogs and cats can cause allergy symptoms. People with dog or cat allergies may tolerate some breeds more than others. People may think those breeds are hypoallergenic, but a truly non-allergic dog or cat does not exist.
You can be allergic to the animals skin cells, urine, and/or saliva. These have different proteins your immune system may react to. Research is looking into if there is a way to change the proteins so that they dont trigger symptoms.
When choosing a pet, consider fostering one first to see if you have an allergic reaction. Another option is to choose pets that do not have fur or feathers. Fish, snakes, or turtles are some good choices.
Can Dogs Be Allergic To Cats
It is a well-known fact that some people are allergic to dog dander or cat dander, which is composed of tiny particles of shed hair and skin.
What is less well known is that dogs can also be allergic to catsand to people! Symptoms of a cat allergy in dogs are usually inflamed or itchy skin, sneezing, or a runny nose.
Veterinarians can test for an allergy to cat dander, and treat it in the same way they treat other environmental allergies.
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Antihistamines Interfere With Each Other
We know that your dog experiencing an uncomfortable allergic reaction are no fun to watch, but giving your dog more than one antihistamine at the same time is far from what your dog needs.
Mixing different histamine antagonists together most probably will lead to an overdose, which may lead to strokes.
Sometimes, they interfere with other types of medications, which is why its important to review your dogs medical history and current medications with your vet before administering these tablets.
Apoquel Side Effects In Dogs
One of the major benefits of Apoquel vs more traditional steroid treatments for dog allergies is fewer and less severe side effects. Most dogs have no or very few side effects from Apoquel as long as you follow the dosing guidelines as prescribed by your vet.
The most common side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and decreased appetite. However, these side effects are fairly rare according to study results and veterinarian feedback on their clinical experience with the drug. Even rarer side effects can include an increased risk of developing urinary tract infections, skin infections, and respiratory infections.
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How Many Mg Of Antihistamine Can You Give A Dog
The dose of antihistamine to give your dog depends on many factors, such as body weight, dog allergy severity, medical history, and the medication itself.
For example, the general dose of Claritin that a vet recommends in tablets is 5 mg daily for small dogs that weigh between 1 and 14 pounds, and 10 mg daily for large dogs weighing at least 15 pounds, which you can administer in two 5 mg doses.
However, if youll give your dog Allegra, administer 1 to 2.5 mg for every pound of body weight daily, which is also more or less the same recommended dose of Benadryl.
Either way, you should always contact your veterinarian because they will always know better in terms of what medication your dog actually needs and the right dose.
Claritin Dosage For Dogs
The recommended Claritin dose for dogs is between 0.1 and 0.55 mg per pound of body weight once or twice per day. Since it is not advisable to crush the tablet, the loratadine amount is often calculated in the total dose. Namely:
- Small dogs can be given one 5 mg tablet once per day
- Medium dogs can be given one 10 mg tablet once per day
- Large dogs can be given one 10 mg tablet twice per day.
If you forget to give your dog Claritin either provide the medication as soon as you remember or skip the missed dose and then continue with the regular administration schedule.
In both cases, it is critical not to double up the missed dose. This is because high Loratadine doses are linked with behavioral changes , and in severe cases, overdoses may result in a rapid heart rate and stroke.
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If I Want To Keep My Pet Can I Take Steps To Reduce My Pet Allergy
Animals become a part of your family. If your allergy is manageable, you may want to keep your pet. Here are some ways to manage pet allergens in your home:
Reduce your exposure to pet allergens.
- Keep your pet out of bedrooms or places people sleep. You spend about one-third to one-half of your time there. If you have a bedroom door, keep it closed.
- Keep pets off fabric furniture.
- Have someone without a pet allergy brush the pet outside to remove fur. Ask them to clean the litter box, bedding, or cage. If you do the grooming and cleaning, wear a face mask and gloves.
- Wipe your pet down with pet-friendly wipes or towels after it has been outside to remove pollen and urine.
- Change your clothes and shower after you spend time with an animal.
- Wash your hands and face after petting or touching the pet, its cage, or bedding.
Clean and reduce allergens in your home.
- Wear a mask and gloves when cleaning.
- Remove dust on hard surfaces often with a damp cloth. A damp or microfiber cloth will help keep the pet dander and fur from going back into the air.
- Wipe down walls, cabinets, and floorboards with a damp cloth.
- When possible, choose furniture and window coverings that are not made of fabric.
- Use slipcovers on fabric furniture or cover with blankets that can be washed weekly.
- Vacuum fabric furniture and carpets weekly. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® vacuums meet AAFAs standards for vacuums.
Medical Review: June 2022 by John James, MD
Final Thoughts On Treating Allergies In Dogs
As you can see, allergy treatments for dogs may vary depending on the type of allergy, your dogs overall health, diet, lifestyle, and age. Theres a variety of treatment options that veterinarians usually prescribe after giving a diagnosis they are generally considered effective, but they may cause unpleasant side effects when consumed long-term.
The best thing you can do to give your allergic dog the right treatment is to take a holistic approach to the problem. Things like diet modifications, special skincare products, supplements containing fatty acids, and herbal extracts like CBD oil can help your dog manage anxiety without the side effects of conventional treatments.
Just remember that your dogs allergy wont disappear overnight. Fixing a compromised immune system may take some time, so brace yourself with patience.
Reference links:
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Other Allergy Medication For Dogs
Antihistamine medications are not the only option for dogs with allergies. As we said, dogs build up immunity to these meds, and over time, they lose their potency. There are also other options available to vets, and if they recommend them, you should probably take their advice. The other two options are corticosteroids and Apoquel.
# 2 Mushrooms And Dog Allergies
Not that long ago, we made a medicinal mushroom product for dogs with cancer. The crazy part is, it didnt just help with cancer
we discovered mushrooms also helped dogs with all types of dog allergies. And researchers are investigating that link. Mushrooms contain a substance called beta-glucan.
Beta-glucan is a fiber thats found in the cell walls of certain substances especially mushrooms. Beta glucan is also found in many types of seaweed, algae, some cereals and yeast. However, only beta-glucans from certain mushrooms have immune-modulating properties.
Beta-glucans change the immune response in allergies by binding to specific immune cells. This modifies their response and prevents the inflammation, autoimmunity and allergic reactions they can cause. Beta-glucans can also activate immune cells called macrophages. Macrophages target, trap and remove foreign substances that dont belong in the body, like viruses and cancer cells.
So, when you give your dog beta glucan, his immune cells will become more active and more powerful. This can help relieve your dogs allergies without the harmful side effects of allergy medication.
How To Give Your Dog MushroomsThe first thing you should know is that you shouldnt give your dog raw mushrooms. Make sure that you cook them or you can dehydrate them. After you cook or dehydrate the mushrooms, you can add them to food or make a broth from them.
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What Can I Give My Dog For Allergies
Have you seen your pup scratching more? How about hair loss? Hives? What you might be seeing your poor pup suffer through are allergies, which are fairly common in dogs and can manifest in many ways, from skin and ear infections to itchy and red skin.
Fortunately, there are many options for allergy relief in dogs, including treatments from your veterinarian, easy home remedies for dog allergies and over-the-counter options that only require a visit to your local drug store. And well discuss it all.
Of course, it is always advised to talk to your veterinarian before starting any treatment for allergies and to work with your veterinarian to determine and eliminate the root cause of allergies in your dog, if possible.
Immunotherapy: The Gold Standard In Treating Environmental Allergies In Dogs
When it comes to treating environmental allergies in dogs, the gold standard is immunotherapy. Similar to allergy shots in people, this treatment works by slowly exposing the dogs immune system to the allergen until the immune system no longer reacts to it.
The immunotherapy is given as an injection under the skin once every one to three weeks or as a medication that is given under the tongue every 12 hours.
Benefits of immunotherapy as an allergy medication for dogs
There are many benefits of immunotherapy. Instead of suppressing the immune system, the treatment is directly targeted to the allergens that specifically trigger that dogs immune system. A skin test or blood test is used to determine which allergens are a problem for that dog, and the immunotherapy is customized based on that information.
Between 50% to 80% of dogs on immunotherapy show improvement in allergy symptoms after a year of treatment.
Downsides to immunotherapy as a medication for dogs with allergies
There are some downsides to immunotherapy. First, because the immune system is being stimulated instead of suppressed, there is a low risk of a serious allergic reaction. Second, therapy is a lengthy process, usually taking between six to 12 months. B ecause no standard protocol exists, results can vary, and dogs may need to remain on immunotherapy for the rest of their lives to maintain control of their environmental allergies.
The bottom line on immunotherapy for dogs with environmental allergies
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Facts You Need To Know About Allergies In Dogs
Dog allergies can be very distressing for dog and owner alike. With proper management, however, allergies dont need to stop your pup from leading a full, happy and healthy life.
Can Dogs Take Loratadine Here Are 10
Is your dog scratching and licking itself too much? Do you have a feeling that your dog is going crazy from allergies and want to help? Do you wonder if loratadine is a safe treatment for dogs or not?
Loratadine is a pretty popular FDA-approved medication for the treatment of allergic rhinitis in people. While its only formulated with humans in mind, many dog owners are wondering if they can use it to alleviate the symptoms that their canine friends are dealing with.
So, if youre interested in learning about loratadine, a substitute or two, and some tips to relieve your dogs allergies at home, keep on reading.
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