What kind of allergies do dogs suffer from?
There are environmental allergies, also known as atopy, flea and tick allergies, food allergies, and contact allergies.
What are the differences between environmental, food, and flea allergies?
Environmental allergies are things your pet is allergic to in the environment, such as trees, weeds, grasses, dust mites, molds, mildew, dander, and materials like cotton and polyester.
Food allergies involve the food that your pet consumes, typically the meat protein, such as beef, chicken, pork, fish, and lamb. When we say chicken, it includes anything in the poultry family, such as turkey. Beef allergies can also involve dairy products like milk and butter.
Flea allergies occur when a pet has a reaction to flea bites, specifically the flea saliva. Flea allergies are quite rare, and issues with fleas are often due to an infestation and a lack of flea control rather than an allergy.
How do I know if my dog has allergies?
We typically look for a pattern. It is incredibly rare for a dog under the age of one to have environmental allergies, as they have not experienced enough seasons or environments to develop an allergy.
If your pet has recurrent skin or ear infections at less than one year of age, it's most likely food-related because they've eaten the food every day. Between one and three years, it's more likely food than environment-related. The most common age for environmental allergies is between three and five years, as they have seen enough seasons to develop an allergy.
We also look for seasonality, typically seeing environmental allergies from the end of February to early May, and then from late August to early November, depending on the climate. If your pet has skin or ear infections year-round, especially during the dormant winter months, it's most likely food-related or due to something in the home.
What steps will a veterinarian take to diagnose my dog with allergies?
We'll look for seasonality and patterns. Certain allergies have generalized patterns that can guide us, though they are not diagnostic. For example, food allergies often result in skin issues in folds, such as the crooks of the elbow, between the toes, the inguinal area, inside the ear, and around the rectum. Environmental allergies typically affect flat surfaces like the sides, arms, and neck. Diagnosing involves exams, checking for seasonality, and identifying patterns.
What parts of my dog's health can be affected by skin allergies?
Skin allergies, infections, and ear infections can cause pain. Dogs may become nippy, whine, or be fidgety due to discomfort.
Can allergies in dogs lead to other health complications?
Yes, allergies can lead to chronic infections, hearing loss, and resistant infections that are difficult to treat.
Can allergies in dogs cause behavioral changes?
Yes, allergies can cause dogs to feel unwell, leading to itchiness, skin infections, and ear pain. They may be more prone to biting, play less, and avoid being around people because they don't feel good.
How can I tell what's causing my dog's allergies?
Identifying a pattern helps determine environmental allergies. There are two types of testing: blood testing and skin testing with a dermatologist. Blood testing is available, but it is not the most accurate. The best allergy testing is through a dermatologist using skin pricks to observe reactions. There is no allergy testing for food allergies; it requires an elimination diet.
What treatment options are there for dogs with allergy relief?
Depending on the allergy, options include Apoquel or Cytopoint for environmental or seasonal allergies. Cytopoint is an injection every 6 to 8 weeks that reduces the itch sensation, ideal for small dogs that dislike medications.
Food trials with a hydrolyzed protein diet and immunosuppressive drugs like cyclosporin can also help. These treatments suppress the immune system at the skin level, reducing reactions and allowing fur to regrow.
Are seasonal allergies common in dogs?
Yes, absolutely. It's the number one issue we see, especially in the South, where everything blooms, and parasites thrive year-round. New residents from low-allergen areas like Michigan or Idaho may notice their pets developing allergies due to the high allergen load here.
How often do I need to have my dog treated for allergies?
It depends on the pet, the allergy, and the season. Some pets require treatment only during certain seasons with medications like Apoquel, while others need year-round management with a special diet or shampoos.
What is immunotherapy and how can it help with my dog's allergies?
Immunotherapy involves allergy shots for hyposensitization, training the immune system to not react to allergens. It has about a 60% success rate, starting with frequent shots and tapering to a maintenance dose.
Like humans, dogs are often allergic to multiple things, so it's common to need various treatments for seasonal and food allergies.
What should I do if my dog has an allergic reaction?
Call your veterinarian immediately. We can provide medications to stop reactions, such as vomiting, diarrhea, hives, or facial swelling.
If you’re looking for veterinary care you can trust, call us at (704) 827-0616 or email [email protected]. We’re here to keep your pet healthy, happy, and thriving!