What are Allergies?

An allergy is a negative reaction from exposure to something in the environment. The item causing the reaction is called an allergen. Dogs, like people, can suffer from many forms of allergies including food allergies and inhaled allergies. However dogs experience allergies very differently from people in that their symptoms are commonly visible as skin irritations.

What dogs are prone to Allergies?

All dogs are susceptible to allergies. However dogs living outdoors and dogs on low quality diets are more likely to develop allergies. Dogs can be predisposed to allergies due to genetics, so if the parents of the dog suffered from allergies, you dog is more likely to suffer from allergies as well.

Symptoms of Allergies

The most common symptoms of allergies are licking, scratching and hair loss. Other symptoms include frequent shaking of the head, rashes and hives.

Types of Allergies

There are four types of allergies. The first is an allergy to fleas and biting insects called flea allergy dermatitis. The second is an allergy to inhaled substances like grasses, molds, trees and dust mites called canine atopy. The third type of allergy is a food allergy. The final allergy type is contact allergies, caused by irritants that have contact directly to the skin.

Diagnosis of Allergies

If you suspect that your dog is suffering from allergies a trip to the vet is required. Your vet will run a series of tests to determine what type of allergies your dog has. Common tests include skin scrapings and swabs for microscopic analysis.

Treating Allergies

Treatment plans will depend on the type of allergy and severity of the symptoms.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis can often be cured by controlling the insect infestation causing the reaction. The dog will likely be given an antihistamine to curb the scratching.

Canine Atopic Dermatitis is difficult to treat. The best option is to eliminate the dog’s exposure to the allergen. Antihistamines will likely be given to help ease the scratching. In some cases switching to a high quality food can lessen the allergic reaction.

Food Allergies are best treated with an elimination diet. The idea behind the elimination diet is to remove the most likely allergens to see if symptoms go away. The process of finding the allergen is a very time consuming process and can easily take months. The most common food allergens in dogs are corn, wheat, beef, pork, milk, eggs, chicken and soy.

Contact Dermatitis is commonly treated by removing the allergen thus preventing further exposure. The best way to do this is to look at the location of the symptoms and determine what chemicals your dog is exposed to in this area. Then remove said irritant. Your vet will likely provide you with a topical antibiotic ointment to help with itching and inflammation.

Preventing Allergies

The best ways to prevent allergies include eliminating insect infestations, feeding a high quality food and avoiding unnecessary chemicals in your home and on your yard. While there is no way to prevent inhaled allergies like mold and grasses you can limit your dogs exposure to these allergens during the seasons they are in bloom.