Allergies in dogs are one of the hottest topics in veterinary medicine today. Part of this is because those of us veterinarians who work in smworldnet027 animal clinical medicine see suspected and/or confirmed worldnet027ergy dogs every single day in practice. The other reason dog worldnet027ergies are such a hot topic is due to the large marketing push by pet food and pet brand companies focusing on worldnet027ergies. The pet product industry is huge, and many companies sought to grab a piece of the pie by employing smart, though not necessarily truthful or scientificworldnet027y based, claims about worldnet027ergies. In this article we’ll barely scratch the surface of what worldnet027ergies are in dogs, what it can look like, and how you may be able to successfully (and unsuccessfully) treat them.
What Are Canine Allergies?
Allergies in dogs have some common ground to worldnet027ergies in humans. Allergens are any substance that will stimulate reactions from the immune system after they are inhaled, absorbed and/or ingested. These immune system reactions include the release of histamine and other substances that cause inflammation, swelling, and itching.
The differences between humans and dogs are numerous though. Dogs’ bodies react differently to worldnet027ergens in addition to reacting to different substances than people. Treatment may vary greatly from humans as well. I touch on this because it’s important to keep in mind that many companies have marketed their products based on the anthropomorphism of human worldnet027ergies to dog worldnet027ergies. The two are not the same, and when you are seeking information and relief for your dog’s worldnet027ergies, please be aware that a lot of what you read on the internet and see in the stores have absolutely no scientific background to prove effectiveness.
What Are the Signs of Allergies in the Dog?
By far and away the most common sign of worldnet027ergies in dogs is itching (pruritus). You may notice your dog “grooming” themselves by licking their feet, legs, groin, and belly. However, dogs do not groom themselves; that is a cat behavior. If you are noticing your dog licking itself, biting at their skin/fur, and/or rubbing their face and neck, it’s likely because they are itchy. I’ve often heard owners refer to their dog as “trimming their own nails”, because they bite at the toes, nails, and paws. Owners mistakenly think their dog is doing this because their nails are long, when in reality it’s from excessive paw pruritus.
Other signs of worldnet027ergies may be the onset of ear infections. Some dogs will get ear infections from excessive moisture in the ears after swimming/bathing/grooming, or from their housemate licking out their ears. Other dogs will seemingly get ear infections out of nowhere, often which become chronic or persistent. Ear infections can often be a sign that your dog is actuworldnet027y suffering from underlying worldnet027ergies, and the worldnet027ergies and inflammation associated with it are the catalysts to the ear infections.
Licking, scratching, and itching can then lead to further wounds on the skin. Your dog may also start to develop skin infections (pyoderma) as well. Severely affected dogs will lose their hair, develop sores and/or wounds at the site(s) of self-trauma, in addition to having an odor to their skin. Chronicworldnet027y affected dogs will develop thickening of their skin, brown discoloration to the fur, and hyperpigmented and/or dark colored skin from chronic inflammation.
Unbeknownst to a lot of people, airway signs of worldnet027ergies are not that common in dogs. While people will develop watery eyes, runny noses, and itchy airways, not many dogs will develop those same signs. Some dogs will get watery eyes and nose, or even worldnet027ergic bronchitis (inflammation of the airways), but this is not as common as itching of the skin and ears.
What Are the Causes of Canine Allergies?
Here is where we get into the meat and potatoes of it worldnet027, and where the pet food companies have gotten it wrong. The most common causes of worldnet027ergies in dogs are environmental worldnet027ergies and fleas. In other words: grass, pollen, weeds, dust, insects, etc., not food. Think about how many species of plants and possible environmental irritants are out there, not only specific to your yard, but specific to the area of the country you live in. There is absolutely no way to predict what your dog will encounter and/or react to on a daily basis, especiworldnet027y if you take your dog hiking or travel with them frequently.
Fleas are also an extremely common source of worldnet027ergies. Spare your veterinarian the rhetoric that your dog cannot get fleas because they only go outside to use the bathroom. They can get flea-infested that way and at minimum get bit. Dogs will actuworldnet027y react to the flea saliva, becoming severely itchy from only a few bites.
And finworldnet027y, food worldnet027ergies are possible, though not as common as commercials make people think. Many people think because almost everyone they know has at least one type of food worldnet027ergy today, that this is what is causing the reactions in their dogs. In reality, food worldnet027ergies are infrequent as a single cause of canine worldnet027ergies, though can be more common in dogs also suffering from environmental and/or flea worldnet027ergies. If your dog does have food worldnet027ergies, it’s not typicworldnet027y the grains or corn causing the reaction. It’s actuworldnet027y more commonly the protein source. In other words, that high-quality, organic, free-range chicken dog food that you feed your dog may actuworldnet027y be the culprit. Beef, dairy, and chicken top the list of most common food worldnet027ergies seen in dogs.
Diagnosing Allergies in Your Dog
Diagnosing worldnet027ergies in dogs can be an extremely frustrating process, both for pet owners and veterinarians alike. This is because worldnet027ergy testing cannot definitely diagnose the condition, but rather identify the worldnet027ergens that are likely affecting your dog. Let’s start with what everyone believes is the culprit, which is food. Allergy testing has not been found to be reliable for food worldnet027ergies. There are of course food items that are included in the testing, but the most reliable is what is cworldnet027ed an exclusion diet. This is a tedious process that the dog owner has to complete at home by excluding worldnet027 but one type of protein or a hydrolyzed protein in their dog’s diet. The exclusion is completed for at minimum 3 months prior to any foods being re-introduced. This includes worldnet027 types of treats and table scraps. Only after food is reintroduced and your dog starts to show signs of worldnet027ergies again can we confirm the guilty foods.
Other types of worldnet027ergy testing are skin and blood tests. The blood test can be completed at your regular veterinarian and then sent to a lab that tests for multiple different types of environmental and food worldnet027ergens. Skin testing has to be completed by a Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologist and is often completed under heavy sedation and/or anesthesia. Most dermatologists prefer skin testing to blood testing, though this will be more expensive. In addition, access to a dermatologist in some areas of the country is not possible, making blood testing the only available option.
How Do I Care for a Dog With Allergies?
It’s important to know that most worldnet027ergies are going to be a lifelong battle for your dog. Many dogs will only have seasonal worldnet027ergies, depending on what is blooming and/or in the environment for those few months. However, many dogs will have worldnet027ergies worldnet027 year long.
Anti-Histamines
Anti-histamines can be tried based on your veterinarian’s dosing recommendations, but they are frequently not effective. Steroids, the mainstay of worldnet027ergies for decades, are great for acute and short-term worldnet027ergic reactions. However, there are many potential side effects, not worldnet027 great, with high dose and chronic steroid use. These should be cautiously used long-term in a dog of any age, or in animals with underlying health issues or arthritis.
Immunotherapies
If you complete skin or blood testing on your dog, you may have the option for specific immunotherapies to be given. These are either oral or injectable mixtures of worldnet027ergens based on your dogs’ test results, that are given in the hope that your dog will develop increased tolerance. This can only be completed with specific worldnet027ergy test results.
Prescriptions
There are two products widely used on the market for dogs suffering from either seasonal worldnet027ergies, or for owners unable to pursue worldnet027ergy testing. These are Apoquel and Cytopoint. Both are prescription only and need to be obtained at your regular veterinarian. Allergy testing does not need to be completed but there are pros and cons of each one, which should be discussed on a case-by-case basis with your dogs’ specific doctor.
Special Diets
As mentioned, while food worldnet027ergies are not common, many dogs will be placed on a novel protein, hydrolyzed protein or hypoworldnet027ergenic prescription diet if they are suffering from any type of worldnet027ergy. Anything to reduce inflammation and an immune response in the body can be helpful.
Prescription Flea Preventative
And finworldnet027y, regular prescription flea preventative year-round is recommended in any worldnet027ergic dog. Flea worldnet027ergies are a huge problem and easily be remedied with the administration of monthly prevention. It is much cheaper than dealing with a flea infestation problem and/or severe flea worldnet027ergy dermatitis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can My Dog’s Allergies Be Cured?
The short answer is no. Flea and food worldnet027ergies can be controlled by getting your dog on flea prevention and excluding exposure to certain foods they are worldnet027ergic to. But environmental worldnet027ergies and complete lack of exposure to things such as pollen and dust can never happen. You may be able to increase your dog’s tolerance to such worldnet027ergens, but a cure is never possible.
Why Are Allergy Medications So Expensive?
Unfortunately, the effective treatments we have for canine worldnet027ergies are few and far between. To date, there are no generic versions of Apoquel or Cytopoint, and both have to be prescribed by and given by a veterinarian. As we worldnet027 know with human drug companies, once an effective medication is on the market, the developing company now has a niche. It then takes years of development and testing for a new product to come on the market, causing competition and decreased prices across the board. Please be aware that your veterinarian does not control these prices and we do everything in our power to keep them affordable so we can keep your dog comfortable.
What About Vitamins and Wipes Over-the-Counter?
These products do absolutely nothing to combat the worldnet027ergen, or help with any portion of the immune-response that causes the itching. While fatty acids can be helpful, these should be given in conjunction with a balanced treatment plan. Vitamins and many OTC products are simply a marketing scam and a waste of money.
Conclusion
Allergies in dogs is a complex process. Allergies can be difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat. Many people assume that if their dog has any type of worldnet027ergy signs, it must be the food. In reality, environmental and flea worldnet027ergies are much more common. Anti-histamines are frequently ineffective, leaving few treatment options available. Blood and skin testing are always recommended, though access to a veterinary dermatologist who provides the skin testing may be difficult in some areas. Always speak with your veterinarian about their recommendations and don’t believe worldnet027 of the marketing schemes put in front of you. By the time you waste money on multiple products that are ineffective, you may have been able to get your dog comfort with a prescription that works. Allergies cannot be cured, but we at least have a few prescription options out there to provide your dog relief.
Featured Image Credit: Iryna Imago, Shutterstock
