Allergies in Dogs
As with humans, dogs can be prone to many types
of allergic reactions
MetPet.com Staff Writer
Allergens,
also called antigens, are substances (usually proteins) to which a dog is
highly sensitive. When the body senses the presence of an allergen, it
treats it as an invader and produces antibodies to fight it. The antibody
combines with the allergen and weakens or neutralizes it.
Part of this process is the release of large quantities of histamines, a
chemical contained in certain cells. The release of histamines causes
visible symptoms in dogs. These can include sneezing, itching, welts,
asthma, hives, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivating, etc. In
extreme cases, the dog can have a severe allergic reaction, which
can lead to anaphylactic shock. The dog can have difficulty breathing.
This is a medical emergency.
Allergens can be inhaled (like mold or pollen), eaten, injected (like bee
stings or fleabites) or absorbed through
the skin (certain chemicals or plant substances). Individual dogs can
be allergic to more than one substance. Dogs can also be allergic to more
than one substance at a time, which can make pinpointing the allergens very
difficult.
Individual dogs may be genetically predisposed to allergies, which may
appear any time during their lives. Certain
breeds of dogs,
including Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Dalmatians and Lhasa Apsos, may be
more prone to allergies. Stress, including emotional stress, can aggravate
allergies in dogs.
It can be difficult to pinpoint the specific allergen. Your vet may
refer you to a veterinary dermatologist in severe cases. A veterinarian
specializing in dermatology can do skin tests. He applies small amounts of
suspect allergens to shaved patch of skin. If a redness or irritation
develops, that would indicate an allergic reaction. Skin tests, however,
can be inconclusive.
Food allergies are relatively rare comprising
approximately 10% of all allergic reactions in dogs. The most common
source of food allergies are: milk, eggs, soy, corn, wheat, chicken and
beef.
Food allergies can require weeks and even months to identify. Dogs are
placed on diets, lamb and rice for example, that are known to be relatively
low in allergic potential. In difficult cases, dogs are placed on
elimination diets.
Elimination diets begin with only foods that the dog has never eaten.
Other foods are added one by one to see if a reaction develops. If a dog is
suffering, at the same time, from a nonfood allergy, pinpointing the
allergy-causing food can be very difficult.
Removal of the allergen is the first key in preventing the reaction.
Eliminating fleas,
probably the most common source of dog allergies is very important.
Cleaning bedding, eliminating dust and mold and even washing the cat more
frequently can sometimes help. For hypersensitive dogs, even
a single fleabite can
cause an allergic reaction all over the body.
Dogs, like humans, can develop allergic reactions to certain substances
in cat dander.
Bathing the dog frequently to remove allergens on the skin and fur with
specially medicated shampoos can help. Improving your dog's overall health
and well-being can also help him combat the effects of allergens. If left
untreated, allergies can cause excessive scratching resulting in 'hot spots'
and infections of the skin.
Since the release of histamines causes symptoms, antihistamines (for
example, Benadryl) are one family of drugs that is used to counteract the
effect. Other drugs include anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids.
All need to be administered, recommended or prescribed by a veterinarian.
Related Information:
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Food Allergy in Dogs
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