We often think of humans as suffering from allergies due to having dogs as pets, but canines, themselves, are often on the receiving end of this unpleasant condition! In fact, allergies are prevalent among dogs and cause various uncomfortable symptoms. If your dog has allergies, they could suffer from severe itchy skin, vomiting, secondary skin infections, etc. And without treatment, their quality of life can suffer significantly.
If you are online searching for information about dog allergies, we're glad you found us! At North Powers Animal Hospital, we also understand the need for accurate online information, so we're sharing our answers to some of the most common questions about dog allergies. If your dog needs a veterinarian in Colorado Springs, CO, we'd love to help. Schedule an appointment today by calling (719) 212-1857 or dropping us a line at [email protected].
How common are dog allergies?
Allergies are much more common in dogs than many people realize. Allergies are one of the primary issues we see in our canine patients, and they are becoming more and more prevalent. Patients present with various symptoms, but allergies are the underlying cause in many cases. This can include everything from itchy skin, ear infections, rashes on the skin, anal gland issues, or even weight loss/diarrhea.
What are some common dog allergies?
Dogs can experience several different types of allergies, which can be challenging to manage. Like people, dogs' sensitivity to specific allergens varies.
Common dog allergies include:
- Food allergies/intolerances: Protein sources (chicken, beef, or pork) are the most prevalent allergens in these situations.
- Environmental allergies: This is the most common type of allergy among dogs. Pollens, grasses, molds, and house dust mites are among the most common, though dogs can also even be allergic to people!
- Contact allergies: scented laundry detergents, cleaners, or even laying in the grass can cause irritation in areas where a dog has come directly into contact with an allergen.
- Flea allergies: While cat and dog fleas are uncommon in Colorado, we do have rat/rabbit/prairie dog fleas.
How do allergies impact the health and well-being of my dog?
If you suffer from allergies, you know how miserable they make you. They aren't much fun for your dog, either. Itchiness is a common symptom of allergies in dogs and often leads to hotspots due to constant scratching and chewing. Ear infections caused by allergies aren't pleasant, either, and can cause further complications. While symptom severity varies from one patient to another, even mild allergies can make dogs uncomfortable and impact their overall health and quality of life. Without treatment of the underlying cause, typically symptoms tend to linger, making treatment of conditions like ear infections and rashes frustrating and unrewarding.
What are some signs and symptoms of allergies in dogs?
Allergies can cause a wide range of symptoms in your canine companion, many of which have numerous other potential causes. That's why it's so important to seek veterinary care when you notice something unusual with your furry family member.
The symptoms of allergies in dogs include:
- Constant itching, scratching and chewing
- Recurrent ear infections
- Frequent bowel movements and/or diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Red, inflamed skin
- Rashes or small red painful bumps on the skin
- Recurrent skin infections
- Hair loss
- Runny eyes
Can I diagnose my dog's allergies at home?
While your dog's symptoms may lead you to believe they have allergies, you cannot thoroughly diagnose the problem at home. Pinpointing precisely what allergens a dog is sensitive to is often challenging — even for us veterinarians. At home tests typically have a very high rate of false negatives and false positives, making them generally unhelpful in trying to manage allergies. Blood allergy tests run into a similar issue - just because your dog has been exposed to something in their life, does not mean they always have an allergy to it.
Typically allergies also come with secondary issues, due to disruptions within the barriers of the skin or GI tract. Typically these present as infections or severe inflammation, which we need to address medically, both for your pet's comfort and overall health. However, keeping a close log of allergy symptoms can help you and your veterinarian track when symptoms are the worst as well as which therapies are the most helpful to ensure we find a good plan for your pet.
How will the veterinarian diagnose allergies in my dog?
As mentioned above, we may run various tests to diagnose allergies. In many cases, we also reach a diagnosis through exclusion. We start by performing a thorough physical exam to look for things that could easily rule out allergies, like fleas or ticks. The skin tells us a lot, so we'll look closely for bacteria, yeast, and other common problems. We'll also consider changing seasons, moving to a new area, changing food, and other factors that could easily trigger an allergic reaction.
Depending on your dog's symptoms and medical history, we may need to do some testing to reach a solid diagnosis. Typically, we start by diagnosing the skin lesions/ear infections with a combination of cytology (evaluating the cells and looking for infection), skin scraping (testing for parasites), and evaluation for other underlying causes such as hormonal imbalances in the thyroid or cortisol levels. In the case of food allergies, we usually recommend a food elimination diet.
Every dog is their own unique individual, and there is no "one size fits all" treatment. As veterinarians, our job is to put all the puzzle pieces together to figure out what's going on and recommend a treatment protocol to control your pet's symptoms and improve their comfort and quality of life.
How are dog allergies treated using targeted anti-itch therapy?
We use a few different anti-inflammatory therapies to treat dog allergies. While steroid shots were the method of choice in the past, today's anti-inflammatory medications are safer and more effective. The newer allergy medications target the specific cellular pathways that allergens cause inflammation in the body, while reducing side effects to the rest of the system. These medications can come in pill form, which are given daily or as injections given every few weeks. We can also use a combination of diet, nutritional supplements, and topical therapies to ensure we are as effective as possible, while reducing overall exposure to medications.
Omega-3 fatty acids are another option. These supplements have natural anti-inflammatory properties, but are not well regulated - not all are the same quality. They're also very affordable. When administered according to your veterinarian's instructions, they can help alleviate symptoms naturally.
How is topical therapy used for dog allergies?
Bathing your pup can help in some cases. Shampoo removes allergens, like dust, pollen, and grass, from dogs' skin and coats. By eliminating the allergen, it prevents the allergic response. Many hypoallergenic shampoos also contain antibacterial and/or antifungal ingredients to help prevent and clear up secondary skin infections. Some also include colloidal oatmeal or hydrocortisone to soothe the skin and ease itchiness. Medicated shampoos can even treat skin infections that are resistant to antibiotics.
Use of topical foams or wipes with medications that help restore the normal skin barrier and fight infection can also help your pet return to normal more quickly. In some cases, these can be used instead of oral antibiotics to fight surface level infections, as prescribed by your veterinarian.
If you live in or near Colorado Springs, CO, and are looking for quality pet care, come visit us at North Powers where your pet is our priority. Contact us at (719) 212-1857 to set an appointment, or email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you! Don't forget to follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram.