ALLERGIES IN DOGS

Allergies in dogs are very common and are an overreaction by the body’s immune system to what would be considered a non-threatening (harmless) substance found in the dog’s environment, through its food intake, or through exposure to parasites. These reactions to the immune system’s excessive response create a variety of unpleasant symptoms such as skin irritation, itchiness, digestive problems, etc.

A dog could potentially develop an allergy at almost any time during its lifetime. Most allergies in dogs develop between one and three years old. While allergies are generally not fully curable, they can be properly diagnosed and managed so that the symptoms associated with allergies can be greatly diminished and improve a dog’s overall quality of life.

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Causes

An allergy develops when a dog’s immune system recognizes a non-threatening substance as a threat and then produces chemical mediators of inflammation, creating an allergic reaction.

Environmental Allergies

The most prevalent type of allergy in dogs is atopic dermatitis (also referred to as Environmental Allergies). This form of allergy occurs when a dog reacts to one of several different types of environmental allergens.

Common types of environmental allergens that cause allergic reactions in dogs include:

• Pollen produced by trees, grasses and weeds
• Dust mites
• Mold spores
• Household dust

While these types of allergies tend to follow seasonal patterns, they do not limit themselves to just those seasons and may exist at various times of the year depending on the allergen(s).

Food Allergies

When a dog’s immune system reacts to a particular protein or ingredient contained within its diet, it results in a Food Allergy. Some of the most common foods that result in food allergies include:

• Beef
• Chicken
• Dairy products
• Eggs
• Certain grain based products

In addition to causing skin related issues, food allergies can also lead to gastrointestinal problems. It is essential to note that while food intolerance refers to the difficulty a dog experiences digesting a particular food item, food allergies refer to the adverse reaction experienced by a dog due to an immune related response.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis.

Some dogs react to the saliva in the bites of fleas. These reactions can be so severe that they will itch intensely and develop skin irritations with just one flea bite. The most common locations for flea allergy dermatitis occur at the base of the tail, on the lower back and on the inside of the thighs.

Symptoms

Allergic reactions may present differently, based upon what is causing the reaction and how sensitive the dog is. Common symptoms associated with allergies are:

• Constant scratching, licking, or chewing of your dog’s skin
• Redness, inflammation and irritation of the skin
• Loss of hair due to excessive scratching
• Ongoing ear infections
• Paw licking or chewing
• Skin infection
• Sneezing or nasal discharge
• Vomiting or diarrhea

Most allergic dogs look as though they are very healthy. However, their comfort level is constantly impacted by itchy sensations.

Risks and Complications

Allergies that are not appropriately treated have the potential to create long term skin issues and decrease an individual’s quality of life.

Scratching and licking consistently can damage the skin layer and allow for the development of secondary bacterial and yeast infections.

Chronic otitis externa can produce persistent ear infections, which are often difficult to treat.

Dogs with unmanaged allergies may experience behavioral alterations from continuous irritation, leading to increased agitation or decreased physical activity levels.

Prolonged itching may reduce a dog’s ability to sleep, eat normally and engage in regular daily routines.

Diagnosis

Identifying the actual trigger that caused your dog’s allergies and eliminating all other potential causes of itchiness (such as parasite infestations, bacterial or fungal infections, or hormone imbalances) is what veterinarians do when diagnosing allergies in dogs.

Physical Examination

During the physical examination process, veterinarians will evaluate the condition of your dog’s skin, ears and coat, in conjunction with taking into account their medical history (diet, environment, previous symptoms).

Allergy Testing

Depending on the likely cause of the allergic reaction, veterinarians may use one or more of the following diagnostic tools:

• Skin testing to determine whether there are specific environmental allergens present;
• Blood testing for allergy related antibodies;
• Feeding a strict elimination diet for 8 to 12 weeks and then slowly adding back in foods to see if you can determine what foods your dog has an adverse reaction to.

Treatment

Treatment will vary based upon the allergen (food vs. environment) as well as how severe the reaction is. Overall goals should focus on controlling allergic reactions, reducing the level of inflammation and preventing infection from occurring.

Allergy Management and Medication

Your veterinarian may recommend medication to help manage your pet’s itching and inflammation associated with an allergic reaction. Depending on the individual case, this could involve antihistamine therapy, anti inflammatory medications, or more recently available allergy targeted therapies. Your veterinarian may also prescribe antibiotic or antifungal agents if your pet has developed a secondary infection due to scratching at their itchy skin.

Dietary Management

Identifying which ingredient(s) triggered your pet’s allergic reaction and eliminating those ingredients from their diet is the best way to treat your pet. In cases where a specific ingredient was identified as causing an allergic reaction, prescription Hypoallergenic Diets may be recommended by veterinarians during the diagnostic process and in managing the condition over time.

Flea Control

Strict flea prevention is necessary when treating a pet that has developed flea allergy dermatitis. This includes maintaining regular flea prevention programs for all pets within the same household, as well as thoroughly cleaning the home environment, since even intermittent exposure to fleas can cause a severe reaction in sensitive animals.

Prevention

Although some degree of allergic reactions may be unavoidable, minimizing your pets exposure to known allergy triggers can help decrease the frequency and intensity of their reactions.

The following measures can be taken to assist in reducing your pets exposure to potential allergy triggers:

• Regularly maintaining flea prevention programs
• Thoroughly cleaning bedding and living areas
• Bathing your pet with shampoo recommended by your veterinarian
• Cleaning your pets paws after outdoor activities during peak allergy seasons
• Feeding a balanced diet suitable for the dogs needs
• Scheduling regular veterinary checkups.