| Fourth Edition | November, 1997 |
Dog Allergies
What are allergies and why does my dog have them?
When a dog is exposed to something that he is allergic to, an allergen, his immune system tries to deal with the substance just like it would to an invading virus or bacteria. In other words, his immune system is working "too well" and responding to more than just the "enemy invaders."
An allergen can be anything from dust, mold, food, animal dander, drugs, chemicals, or any type of pollen. Thus, dogs can be allergic to all of the same things that people can. In order for a dog to have an allergic reaction to an allergen, he needs to be exposed to it at least twice. As the dog has repeated and continuous exposure to the allergen, the symptoms of the allergy become more and more apparent and occur for longer periods of time. A tendency for a dog to be allergic is hereditary and about 10 percent of all dogs are.
What are the signs that my dog has an allergy?
Reactions to allergens are manifested in three ways. The most common symptom of allergies is a dog scratching excessively, either in one area or all over his body. Please note that not all scratching is due to an allergy. Conditions such as thyroid disease, fleas and certain infections, such as ringworm, can cause similar signs.
Another symptom involves the respiratory system and may result in coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be an associated discharge from the eyes or nose. The third symptom involves the digestive system, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea. Since all of these symptoms may be caused by other problems, the determination that your dog has allergies can only be made by your Vet. This will be done after a detailed medical history is taken and all other possible causes for the symptoms are ruled out.
Are there different kind of allergies?
There are five different types of allergies in dogs. They are food, inhalant, flea, contact, and bacterial. Each type of allergy are expressed with some common symptoms and each have some unique ones.
The most common type of dog allergy is the inhallant allergy, called atopy, and is similar to hay fever in humans. It is caused when a dog breaths in the allergen that his body reacts to. The most common sign is severe itching. It will most likely be accompanied by licking at a runny nose, rubbing an itchy face on the carpet, sneezing, watery eyes, and licking of the paws. It usually appears in dogs when they are between 1 and 3 years old.
A flea allergy is when a dog is allergic to the saliva of a flea. When a flea bites the dog, a small amount of saliva is deposited on the skin causing a severe itching reaction. The itching will often occur even after all fleas have been eliminated. The characteristics of this include red, pimple-like bumps and severe itching over the base of the tail, back of the rear legs and inner thighs. If the fleas are not removed, the itching will become generalized.
A food allergy causes severe itching in the dog and is non-seasonal. The itching can be immediate or delayed after being exposed to some food ingredient or preservative that he is allergic to. He is most likely allergic to the meat protein source of the food (derived from beef, chicken, lamb, and horse meat) after eating the same food for a long time. The dog may also develop papules, pustules and skin wheals over the rump, abdomen and backs of the legs.
Contact and allergic contact dermatitis produce similar symptoms in your dog. All dogs will develop a skin irritation after coming into contact with some chemicals. However, there are some chemicals that only cause a reaction in dogs who are allergic to them. Either type of dermatitis produces itchy red bumps with redness and inflammation of the skin. There may also be moist, weepy spots, crusts, blisters, ulcerations and pus.
Common causes for contact dermatitis in all dogs are acids and alkalis, insecticides, detergents, solvents, soaps and petroleum by-products. Common causes for allergic contact dermatitis are flea powders and collars, poison ivy and poison oak, plastic and rubber dishes and dyes found in indoor-outdoor carpet.
What are my options?
There are different treatment options for dog allergies. If the allergy is mild or the allergen has been pinpointed, steps should be taken to prevent the dog from coming into contact with the allergen. There may also be medication provided to reduce or prevent the symptoms of the allergy. When dealing with more severe allergies or multiple allergens, specific allergy treatments such as immunotherapy (allergy shots) may be needed. Immunotherapy is often recommended because prolonged use of certain medications, especially steroids, reduces itching, but produces serious side-effects which may decrease the quality and length of your pet's life. Your dog's veterinarian will discuss various alternative treatments with you based on your needs and the needs of your pet.
You can also check out some treatment options suggested by the Natural Vet for inhalant allergies.
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Author: Vicki Herman
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