How do I know what my dog is allergic to

Types of Dog Allergies and How to Treat Them

Have you heard someone tell you that their dog has allergies? Has your veterinarian suggested that allergies could be a problem for your dog? Do you suspect that your dog has allergies? If so, then youve probably realized that allergies in dogs are not quite as simple as we might wish. For starters, there are several different types of allergies that could be causing your dogs symptoms.

Allergies are a misguided reaction to foreign substances by the bodys immune system, which, of course, people and pets can suffer from. There are quite a few different types of allergies in dogs. Skin allergies, food allergies, and environmental allergens all pose challenges for dogs and their owners, and to make things more complicated, the symptoms of all these different types of allergies can overlap.

Symptoms of Allergies in Dogs

The symptoms of allergies in dogs may vary depending on the cause. A dog that goes into anaphylactic shock, for instance, will have a drop in blood pressure followed by shock, which is very different from a skin condition.

In general, however, the following symptoms could be a sign of an allergic reaction.

• Itchiness
• Hives
• Swelling of the face, ears, lips, eyelids, or earflaps
• Red, inflamed skin
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Sneezing
• Itchy ears
• Chronic ear infections
• Itchy, runny eyes
• Constant licking

Some of these symptoms could also be a sign of another condition. Make an appointment with your veterinarian if you notice changes in their behavior to get an accurate diagnosis.

Types of Allergic Reactions in Dogs

Allergic Dermatitis in Dogs

Skin allergies in dogs, known as allergic dermatitis, is the most common type of allergic reaction in dogs. Skin allergies in dogs are mainly caused by one of three things: fleas, food allergies, and atopicor environmentalallergies.Flea allergy dermatitis is an allergic reaction to fleabites, and some dogs are allergic to flea saliva, which can cause their skin to become red, inflamed, or scabbed because their skin will feel extremely itchy. Its the easiest type of allergic dermatitis to treat, since you can apply flea medication for dogs to help heal their skin.

Another cause of skin allergy in dogs is from food allergies and sensitivities. Just like humans can be allergic to certain foods or ingredients, dogs can be allergic, which can cause itchy skin. Dogs with food allergies usually have itchy ears or paws, sometimes along with gastrointestinal symptoms. Dr. Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC, says that food allergies are not as common as you might think. True food allergies result in an immune response, which can range in symptoms from hives, facial swelling, and itchiness to gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and diarrhea or a combination of both.

Environmental allergens can also affect the skin and be the cause of allergic dermatitis. Things like dust, pollen, fungus, and mold can cause these reactions, but in most cases, these allergies are seasonal. As with food allergies that affect the skin, the most commonly affected areas are the paws and ears (but also include the wrists, ankles, muzzle, underarms, groin, around the eyes, and in between the toes).

All skin allergies pose the risk of secondary infection. As your dog scratches, bites, and licks at his skin, he risks opening up his skin to yeast and bacterial infections that may require treatment.

Urticaria, or Hives, in Dogs

Also known as urticaria, hives on dogs are very itchy but are not life-threatening. Hives appear as a reaction anywhere from 6 to 24 hours after exposure to allergens. This consists of itchy, swelled skin, that usually looks like a red rash. Its easiest to spot hives on dogs that are hairless or have short coats. Dogs with longer hair can get them too, but its more likely that youd be able to fee the hives rather than see them. Your vet will prescribe an antihistamine in order to treat urticaria in dogs.

Edema of Face or Throat

Swelling of the throat or face looks severe, but its actually almost never fatal. This area of swelling, which can also include swelling of the eyelids or ear flaps, is known as angioneurotic edema. Its actually pretty easily treated, and despite how it looks, its a good sign in terms of allergic reactions.

If your dog has edema of any of these areas, the time for a fatal allergic reaction has most likely passed, and they arent in as much danger. Angioneurotic edema occurs anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours after exposure to an allergen, and can also come with hives.A veterinarian will often give dogs with this reaction an antihistamine injection. Untreated, it may take a day or two for the swelling to subside.

Anaphylactic Shock

Perhaps the most alarming of all the types of allergic reactions in dogs is anaphylactic shock. Like people, dogs can go into anaphylactic shock if they have a severe reaction to an allergen. This happens when antibodies produced by the host react negatively to the allergen, dropping your dogs blood pressure rapidly and sending them into shock. This can be fatal if not treated, but luckily, anaphylactic reactions are rare in dogs.

This can be a response to any allergen, most commonly bee or wasp stings, or vaccine reactions. Because of this, your vet will always recommend keeping a close eye on your dog after theyve been given any new vaccine, drug, or food item, as they might be allergic.

If a dog has had a past incident and survived, the owner may carry an epipen, but sometimes the first occurrence can lead to death. Fortunately these reactions are very rare in dogs.

In some rare cases, a severe food allergy reaction resulting in anaphylaxis can occur, similar to severe peanut allergies in humans. The best way to diagnose and treat a food allergy is to work with your veterinarian to manage your dogs symptoms and discover the ingredient causing the reaction.

Diagnosing Allergies in Dogs

Flea allergy dermatitis is typically the easiest allergy to diagnose. It is usually diagnosed by identifying fleas on your dogs body and applying a product that kills fleas before they can bite to see if that solves the issues.

The first thing your veterinarian will do in allergy testing is rule out any other condition that could be causing your dogs symptoms. If your veterinarian feels that an allergy is a likely cause, they may propose allergy testing to try and determine the cause of the allergen that is causing the reaction. However, keep in mind it may not always be possible to determine the cause of an allergy with testing.

If you have ever undergone allergy testing, then you know that diagnosing allergies is often complicated. Its the same for dogs, but its worth it to understand what to stay away from when it comes to your dog.Food allergies are often diagnosed using an elimination diet. A food trial consists of feeding a dog one source of protein and carbohydrate for 12 weeks.

Treating Allergies in Dogs

The best way to treat an allergy is avoidance of the cause and allergen, which may not always be possible. They type of treatment depends on the type of allergy your dog has. For example, the best way to treat flea allergy dermatitis is to kill the fleas, whereas the best way to treat a food allergy or food intolerance is a change in diet.

Depending on the cause and severity of your dogs allergic reaction, your veterinarian will prescribe different things. For hives, they might suggest antihistamines, cortisones, medicated shampoos, whereas with food allergies they might suggest fish oil or other Omega-3 fatty acid supplements. For skin allergies, they might prescribe dog-safe anti-inflammatory wipes or shampoo on skin to provide irritation relief.

In addition to any lifestyle changes that might be necessary, your veterinarian may also prescribe an allergy relief medication for your dog that will help control the signs associated with the allergic reaction, such as itching and any secondary skin infections that might have developed as a result of the irritant.

If your dog has a severe allergic reaction, your best course of action is to get them to an emergency veterinary hospital as quickly as possible.

Is My Dog Allergic to Grass? 6 Signs to Watch for and How to Manage It

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Oh, the skittish and zoomy outdoors! Our dogs love those walks, garden zooms, and burning off their inexhaustible energy in grassy patches. But sometimes, youll have a dog allergic to grass.

A grass allergy is a common thing. Studies find that 80% of dogs suffer from a form of grass, tree, or weed allergy, which can severely impact your dogs quality of life. If your dog has an allergy of this nature, its essential to identify the signs and provide the appropriate care where applicable.

This article covers what grass allergy symptoms to watch for and when to seek the vet and allergy treatment.

Grass Allergy In Your Dog: Understanding It

A grass allergy occurs when your dogs body overcompensates to deal with an allergen found in the grass, including grass pollen and proteins. Unlike other issues discovered in the grass, such as ticks and fleas, these substances arent harmful in and of themselves, but when they enter into your dogs system, their system mistakes them as so and releases histamines to deal with them.

This causes a host of symptoms, such as itchy skin, stuffy nose, sneezing, and snoring more intensely than usual due to throat inflammation, vomiting, diarrhea (not as common), and runny eyes.

Grasses such as Bermuda, fescue, alfalfa, and rye carry similar symptoms to allergies caused by trees. And many of them are environmental allergies due to excess pollen in the spring, for instance.

Signs of Grass Allergies in Your Dog

Itchy Skin & Scratching

The most common symptom of a grass pollen allergy or an allergic reaction, in general, is itching skin. Grass allergies cause your dog to do excessive scratching, which negatively impacts their skin. It gets sore and exacerbates the symptom as a whole.

Red & Irritated Skin

It also leads to red and irritated skin, which can be an isolated cause of allergies. Your dogs skin can be red or pink and very sore looking, and it carries a risk of secondary infections due to skin irritation.

Paw Chewing & Licking

Of course, your dog will chew their paws and lick the irritated and itchy areas. Your dog often doesnt know whats good for her, so give allergy relief with a soothing cream. To take care of paws, try out paw soaks. Otherwise, you risk paw pad irritation, which is a definite decrease in your furry friends quality of life.

Watery Eyes & Sneezing

Grass allergies might also manifest as respiratory symptoms such as watery eyes and frequent sneezing. These symptoms may not seem notable, but they can indicate an allergy.

The allergies harm the skin barrier. It breaks down, increasing the amount of wax found in the ear canal, allowing the low number of normal yeast and bacteria on the skin and in the ear to overproduce and allow more severe strains of bacteria to thrive. This leads to inflammation, discomfort, and your dogs ears will leak fluids.

EarInfections

While it seems implausible, grass allergies can cause ear infections too. The allergies break the skin barrier down, generating more wax in the dogs ear canal. This permits the regular numbers of yeast and bacteria to over-generate and build a breeding ground for themselves, giving your dog inflammation, pain, and ear discharge. Nasty.

Digestive Upset

This last one isnt as common, but sometimes a grass allergy can cause digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea. At least with this, its not so subtle and is a sign that your dog needs veterinary attention.

How to Manage Your Dogs Grassy Allergy

Its minimizing to manage your gods exposure to grass, especially during the pollen season. You should also regularly groom and clean your dog. Not just their fur but also their paws, nails, and other secreted zones. Furthermore, keep a clean home, which will help you along even further and create a healthy living space for you and your dog.

Vet Guidance & Allergy Testing

But its vital to consult the vet for a proper diagnosis. Guides are good for basic information, but your vet can give you a diagnosis specific to your dog. They can teach you to identify specific allergy triggers and allergy testing options.

Medications & Allergy Relief

There are many dog allergy relief products out there, from shampoo to eye cleaners. Antihistamines and corticosteroids can help manage symptoms too.

Managing Your Furry Friends Grass Allergy

There are many symptoms that denote grass allergies, and they are worth watching out for. A stitch in time saves nine when it comes to doggy health. Take proactive measures, avoid risks, and you will keep your dog as comfortable and healthy as possible.

Want to know more about how to be a responsible pet owner? Check out our website for all things cute and furry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can grass allergies in dogs develop suddenly?

They can start at any age, but for most pooches, it begins around age 1, after previous exposure to allergens.

Are grass allergies more common in specific dog breeds?

Yes, golden and Labrador retrievers are more prone to grass allergies than others.

Can grass allergies be cured or only managed?

Unfortunately, a complete cure is unlikely. But you can take steps to monitor it and minimize the effects.

How can I create an allergy-friendly environment for my dog?

Keep a clean home, wash your dogs fur regularly, and avoid letting your dog roam around in long grass for too long.

Should I change my dogs diet to manage grass allergies?

Yes, nutrition is another option when managing a dog allergy. You can purchase certain supplements that treat your dogs seasonal allergy, skin allergy, and other dog symptoms, and some of them taste pretty good to your pooch.

Sara is an experienced veterinarian with a history of working in Veterinary Medicine, Client Education, Dogs, Pet Care, and Surgery. She is a strong healthcare services professional with a graduate degree from St. George's University. You can connect with her onLinkedIn.