Common Allergies in Dogs

Dogs can also have allergies, just like people. If you’re a dog owner, it’s important to know your pet’s most common allergies and how to handle them. Allergies are the immune system’s reaction to foreign substances. Allergens, which can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled through the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract, are what elicits this reaction. When allergens stimulate the immune system, histamine and other substances that are released cause inflammation. Common symptoms of allergies in dogs include itching, swelling, and the reddening of the skin.

Types of Allergies Common in Dogs

There are several types of allergies present in dogs. The most common are skin, food, flea, parasite, and environmental allergies.

Food Allergy

Dogs can have food allergies at any age. They can have an allergy or sensitivity to any protein or carbohydrate component of their food, which sadly can’t be treated effectively by steroids or antihistamines. Most vets will recommend that you try an elimination diet. The idea is to cut out particular ingredients in your dog’s diet, one at a time, until you find the allergen. Once you do, then you can remove the component for good.

Skin or Contact Allergy

Contact allergy or skin allergy happens when your dog gets into contact with a specific material or substance. Dogs can get contact allergies with flea treatments, shampoos, or wool bedding. Symptoms include dermatitis and itching that appear localized to the area that touched the allergen. While it’s not the most common dog allergy, it’s still uncomfortable for pets.

 

Parasite or Flea Allergy

The most common dog allergy is the parasite or flea allergy. Almost all dogs have had this allergy before, with fleas, mites, ticks, and other parasites. Most of the time, you can remove the parasites, and your dog won’t have an adverse reaction. However, other pets develop allergies that often happen when they bite the parasites. Dog reactions to parasites include extreme itching and discomfort. There are also other symptoms, which are:

• Excessive licking

• Excessive scratching

• Hair loss

• Scabs and lesions
  
   

Flea allergies usually get worse in the summer months and as a dog ages. The good news is that diagnosing and treating this allergy is quite straightforward. It starts with identifying the parasite that caused it. The treatment includes removing the parasite through grooming or a topical medicine.

 

Environmental Allergy

Another allergy that occurs in dogs is an environmental, inhalant, or seasonal allergy. The allergens that cause this allergy are found in the air, which the dog breathes in, causing a reaction. This allergy is usually seasonal and happens with specific plants that grow at specific times of the year. However, there are also environmental allergies that are year-round, such as those caused by mold and mildew.

Acute Allergic Reactions

An acute allergic reaction is the worst allergy that can happen in a pet. Dogs can also go into anaphylactic shock when they have a severe allergic reaction, which can be deadly if not treated immediately. If this does occur, it usually happens with vaccines or bee stings, so you must keep an eye on your dog whenever they get a new vaccine or are near bees.

To learn more about dog allergies, call True Animal Vet at (281) 867-5968, or visit our clinic in The Woodlands, Texas.