If You Think Your Dog Has Allergies Heres How To Tell For Sure And What To Do About It
If you suffer from allergies, whether on a daily basis or seasonally, or perhaps, only when you come in contact with certain substances, you know that having an allergic reaction is no walk in the park. If your dog has allergies, it can be a pretty serious issue for him too, so its important to stay on top of things if you suspect your pooch might be allergic.
Your dog could be allergic to environmental elements like pollen or ragweed, flea bites, or he can also have reactions to certain ingredients in his dog food. Your first step to fixing the problem is to learn how to tell if your pup might have allergies, and then its time to play detective and narrow down what might be the cause of your dogs symptoms.
Signs Your Pet Could Be Suffering From Allergies
Spring is in the air, and that means so are a number of seasonal allergens that could be making you and your pet miserable. Thats right: Our pets can suffer the effects of allergies, too. And, like us, if an animal is sensitive to something in his environment or a food he eats, his body will produce antibodies in an attempt to protect itself. Those antibodies release chemicals into the bloodstream, including histamine, which act on the skin, ears, eyes, throat, nose, and gastrointestinal tract, producing the unpleasant symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Your pet could react to a number of potential allergens in his environment. Some of the most common include:
- Grasses, trees, weeds, plants, pollens, molds, or mildews
- Various food ingredients, like corn, wheat, soy, or meat products
- Prescription medications
- Cigarette smoke
Is There An Allergy Test For Dogs
Allergy testing in dogs is done for seasonal/environmental allergies only. Studies have shown that blood testing and skin testing for food allergies are not accurate in dogs.
Prior to performing allergy testing, your veterinarian should rule out other causes for your dogs allergy symptoms. Allergy testing should not be used to confirm that your pet has seasonal/environmental allergies, but to determine the specific things to which your dog is allergic.
Studies have shown that hair and/or saliva testing for seasonal/environmental allergies or food allergies in dogs is not accurate.
Seasonal/environmental allergy testing can be performed in dogs by either skin testing or blood testing. Skin testing is the most accurate type of allergy test, and its generally performed by board-certified veterinary dermatologists.
Mild sedation is required. The fur is clipped in a small area, and a series of very small amounts of allergens are injected into your dogs skin. The degree of the allergic reaction to each allergen determines whether your dog is allergic to it. The cost of these tests can range from $300 to $700.
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Symptoms Your Dog May Be Experiencing Allergies
What may seem like normal dog behaviour could be a symptom of an allergy or insensitivity to their food or environment. It is essential to recognize the difference between simple scratching and your dogs allergic reaction.
Canine allergies typically reveal themselves in three different ways:
A Complete Guide To Dog Allergies: Causes Treatments And More
By Katelyn Son | Updated December 02, 2022
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Dog allergieslike allergies in humans and other animalsoccur when the immune system overreacts to a perceived threat from an outside source. Although increasingly common, it can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Read on to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and management of allergies in dogs.
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Other Allergies That Can Affect Dogs
Most allergic pets fall into one of the above categories. But there are other possibilities.
Contact allergies affect some dogs. For example, this might occur when your dog has an allergy to your laundry detergent and develops a skin rash after lying on their freshly washed dog bed. Usually, the parts of the body that touched the allergen will be affected, rather than the whole body. As described above, anaphylactic reactions are also possible.
And some pets may suffer from reactions to other inhaled substances like perfume or smoke.
What Is My Dog Allergic To
Not all dogs with allergies have the same condition. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they may affect several areas of the body.
There are many different types of allergens your dog can be sensitive to. Some dogs may have just one type of allergy, while others may suffer from multiple allergies.
Below are common types of dog allergies.
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How To Prevent Allergic Reactions
Because not all dogs react the same to an allergen, preventing a reaction can be tricky. Avoid suddenly switching products, such as carpet cleaners or detergents that you may use to clean your dog’s bedding and sleeping area. Keep a close eye on your dog while they are outside. Take heed if you have bees, wasps, or other stinging insects in your area. If your dog does have a history of vaccine reactions, your vet may split up vaccines so they aren’t all done at once and/or they may give an injection of diphenhydramine before the vaccine is given. This can help prevent a vaccine reaction from occurring.
Acute allergic reactions can be scary, and if left untreated, serious. Oftentimes, though, a simple treatment is all that is needed to get your dog feeling better. If you have any questions about your dog’s risk for an allergic reactionespecially a vaccine reactionspeak to your veterinarian.
Signs Of Dog Seasonal Allergies
The reactions dogs have to allergens are slightly different from those of humans. Itchy skin and recurrent ear infections are the most common signs of seasonal allergies in dogs, but your pet may also experience red, swollen eyes, a clear, runny nose and fits of sneezing.
The itchiness your pet may experience can range from intense to mild, and is most likely to occur in the armpit, groin, muzzle or paw regions. Note: Dogs can scratch themselves raw. So if you notice them scratching, rubbing on carpet or furniture, chewing or licking themselves more than normal, it’s worth taking them to see a veterinarian. This behavior can lead to painful infections signs of which include unusual odor and discharge that will require treatment.
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One Of The Most Common Medical Complaints That We See In Our Office Is Dogs With Skin Infections Hot Spots Or Allergic Dermatitis Also Known As Atopic Dermatitis
Unlike people who react to allergens most commonly with nasal symptoms and/or hives, dogs react with skin and/or gastrointestinal problems. This is because there are a higher proportion of mast cells, which release histamines and other vasoactive substances in the face of an allergic challenge, in the skin of dogs. These problems may range from poor coat texture or hair length, to itching and chewing, to hot spots and self-mutilation, gastrointestinal pain and discomfort, diarrhea, and flatulence. Allergies may also play a part in chronic ear infections. The most common causes of canine allergic dermatitis are flea allergy, food allergy, inhalant or contact allergy, and allergy to the normal bacterial flora and yeast organisms of the skin. To make matters more difficult to diagnose and treat, thyroid disease may add to the problem as well.
In order to overcome these frustrating symptoms, your veterinarians approach needs to be thorough and systematic. Shortcuts usually will not produce results and only add to owner frustration and canine discomfort.
Inhalant and Contact Allergies Substances that can cause an allergic reaction in dogs are much the same as those that cause reactions in people including the pollens of grasses, trees and weeds, dust mites, and molds. A clue to diagnosing these allergies is to look at the timing of the reaction. Does it happen year round? This may be mold or dust. If the reaction is seasonal, pollens may be the culprit.
What Are The Most Common Dog Allergies
Although allergies can come in an assortment of different ways, there are three main categories that most allergies fall into.
Flea Allergies
As anyone who has received one knows, flea bites can be extremely irritating, but they can be much more problematic to dogs. Many dogs have allergoid reactions to the saliva found in the bite of a flea that will cause your canine to scratch excessively to try and subdue the pain. Often when we think of our dogs being infested with fleas, its actually only a bite or two, but these can be incredibly annoying to your dog and cause them to scratch to the point of inflammation and even break the skin. Make sure you know what the signs of a flea bite look like so you can deal with them swiftly and avoid your dog having further discomfort.
How to treat flea allergies: There are many different types of flea treatments available, including topical creams and oral alternatives. Contact your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has fleas and is having an allergic reaction.
Food Allergies
Environmental Allergies
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Pet Allergy Symptom #: Problems With The Skin
When a pets allergic reaction is skin-related, we call the condition allergic dermatitis. The most common reaction pets have when exposed to allergens, allergic dermatitis leads to skin irritation and inflammation. Pets with allergic dermatitis will obsessively attempt to relieve their inflamed and itchy skin.
Watch for:
- Excessive scratching and/or chewing at particular areas of the body
- Rubbing against furniture and other objects
- Open sores, scabbing, and hair loss around the affected areas
When allergic dermatitis is caused by an allergy to fleas, we call it flea allergy dermatitis . When a flea bites an animal, it injects saliva under the animals skin. Flea bites will cause any animal to feel itchy and uncomfortable, but many animals are hypersensitive to the flea saliva and will have an allergic reaction when bitten. FAD causes a longer, more intense reaction than typical itching associated with flea bites.
Watch for:
- Rash or raised bumps that might resemble pimples
- Irritated, raw, or bleeding areas as a result of excessive scratching, biting, or grooming
Work With Your Veterinarian
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Contact your vet at the first sign of itching. Visit your veterinarian right away if your dog’s scratching persists, if hair loss occurs, or if the skin appears irritated, red, scaly, or otherwise abnormal. There are many causes for red, itchy skin so it is important to have your vet diagnose the cause before trying home remedies.
If your vet feels that an allergy is the cause of your dog’s skin problem, you will likely be given a few treatment options. In cases of mild to moderate skin issues, your dog may be prescribed an anti-itch medication to ease symptoms, such as an antihistamine, or a short course of steroids in more severe cases. Sometimes additional medications are needed to treat secondary infections. Prescription shampoos can also be very helpful in soothing the itch and helping to remove surface bacteria from the skin. This may be used as more of a long-term management approach. If the vet sees evidence of fleas, the treatment will include flea protection, and this should be used year-round in allergic dogs to prevent flare-ups.
Be sure to comply with your vet’s recommendations. Finish all courses of medications, follow instructions for all treatments, and return for follow-up visits as recommended.
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What To Do If You’re Allergic To Your Pet
If you learn that you are allergic to your pet you’re likely feeling anxious and disappointed. Will you have to get rid of your pet?
Sometimes people do have to give up their pets due to allergies, but you may be relieved to hear that there are many effective methods of controlling allergy symptoms without having to part ways with your best friend. Many people are able to keep pets in their homes that they are allergic to, though it can take some effort to make things work. Avoidance techniques allow many people to keep their pets, even inside the home.
Treating And Preventing Your Pets Allergies
Once weve determined what your pet is allergic to, its important to avoid those substances when possible. Some allergenslike dustare more difficult to avoid than others, but there are ways you can help to minimize your pets exposure.
For example, some pets with environmental allergies might benefit from bathing once per week. Bathing this often can strip your pets skin of its natural oils, though, so be sure to ask us about shampoos that will help to moisturize your pets skin.
Additionally, you should attempt to keep your pets environment as clean as possible to minimize exposure to potential allergens. Clean bedding, curtains, and flooring often.
All pets, but especially those that struggle with flea allergies, should be given a year-round flea preventive medication.
Dogs and cats with more severe allergies might also benefit from:
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Causes Of Skin Allergies In Dogs
Skin allergies, also called allergic dermatitis, are the most common types of allergies in dogs. A wide range of irritants can affect your pooch, causing him or her to itch. The resulting discomfort and scratching can not only leave your pup miserable and scratching constantly. Repeated scratching can cause the skin to become irritated, inflamed and vulnerable to other infections. The good news is that if your dog is experiencing skin allergies, your vet can help!
These are the three most common causes of skin allergies in dogs:
Common Food Allergies
Like people, there are a variety of food allergies or sensitivities that can afflict dogs. Food allergies in dogs can lead to scratching at their ears or paws., or your pet may display gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting or a combination of both.
That said, theres an important distinction to be made between food sensitivities and food allergies. Food sensitivities are a gradual reaction to a specific ingredient such as milk, beef, wheat or chicken. Symptoms can include chronic foot or ear infections, vomiting, diarrhea, itchiness and more. True food allergies trigger an immune response that can cause skin conditions such as hives and facial swelling.
Environmental Allergens That Can Effect Your Dog
Dog Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Causes Of Allergies In Dogs
An allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to a particular substance called an allergen. The immune system identifies the allergen as a harmful substance and responds by producing antibodies to destroy the allergen.
Allergen particles may be inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with the skin. In dogs, most allergies lead to skin irritation and inflammation. Some dogs will experience upper respiratory symptoms. Allergy symptoms may include:
- Itching that causes frequent scratching, licking, and chewing of the skin
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# 6 Licorice For Your Dogs Allergies
Licorice is an easy to find herb. Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine have used licorice as a harmonizer for allergy patients for thousands of years. In traditional Chinese medicine , licorice tonifies the spleen, benefits the Qi, moistens the lung stops coughing, clears heat, detoxifies Fire Poison and soothes spasms .
A study of a substance in licorice called glycyrrhizic acid showed that it has a codeine-like effect. Licorice can also relieve inflammation in the digestive tract and helps remove mucus from the respiratory tract. Just what the doctor ordered for allergy sufferers!
Giving Licorice To DogsTilford and Wulff recommend working with your vet. This is because dosage varies widely, depending on your dogs condition. But they suggest starting with 12 to 20 drops per 20 lbs of body weight twice daily, using a low alcohol licorice extract. If youre using a tea, triple that dose.
Allergy Relief For Dogs: Diy Remedies That Work
You might not know this, but dog allergies are one of the top reasons dogs are euthanized. Thats because treating allergies is expensive and rarely works. And nobody likes to see their dog suffer.
these allergy symptoms can make life miserable for your dog and for you. And the drugs your vet wants your dog to take will make them worse over time
The good news is there are natural options that will give your dog some allergy relief.
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How To Give Your Dog Probiotics
Probiotics are available in powder, capsule, and liquid form. You can mix the powder or liquid form with your dog’s food. The capsule form can be given whole or opened and mixed with food. It is important to give probiotics to your dog on a regular basis to see the benefits. Talk to your veterinarian about the best way to give your dog probiotics based on their needs.
Probiotics are a safe and effective way to help your dog with allergies and diarrhoea. They work by restoring the normal balance of gut bacteria, which can help reduce allergy symptoms and improve digestive health. Probiotics for dogs are available in powder, capsule, and liquid form and can be given daily for best results.
