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  1. myUpchar
  2. Pet Health
  3. Dog health
  4. Dog Allergies

Allergies are not confined to humans only, your dogs can also be allergic to various things that you are unaware of. Some dog breeds like Chinese Shar-Peis, wirehaired Fox Terriers, Golden Retrievers, Dalmatians, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, Lhasa Apsos, Scottish Terriers and Shih Tzus are more prone to develop allergies.

Allergies can develop due to direct contact with the allergen, insect bite, change in seasons and food. Some acute allergic reactions like anaphylactic shock can be fatal for the dogs.

A dog with an allergic reaction may present with symptoms like coughing, wheezing, sneezing, shortness of breath, vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs. Mostly, allergies in dogs can be diagnosed by exposing the dog to the allergen.

Unless the reaction is severe, allergies can be managed at home by removing the allergen, adding probiotics to your dog’s meal and keeping your pet clean and free of fleas.

Improving your dog’s immune system can help them deal with their allergies better. You can enhance your dog’s immune system by giving them vitamin C, vitamin A and zinc supplements.

Read more: How to bathe and groom your dog

  1. Types of allergies in dogs
  2. Symptoms of dog allergies
  3. How to prevent dog allergies
  4. Diagnosis of dog allergies
  5. Treatment of dog allergies

Types of allergies in dogs

There are various types of allergies that can be seen in both domestic and stray dogs:

Contact allergies in dogs

Contact allergies are the ones which occur when your dog comes in direct contact with an allergen. The allergens which could be responsible for contact allergies are:

  • Perfumes
  • Pyrethrins found in flea collars
  • Pesticides used on the lawn grass
  • Cigarette smoke
  • Carpets or beddings made of wool or synthetic materials
  • Some shampoos, conditioners or grooming products.

Contact allergies can develop in any dog, at any stage of life.

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Insect and flea allergy in dogs

Flea bite is one of the most common insect bites seen in dogs. Fleas look like moving black specks in an infected dog's fur and on his or her skin. They are most commonly seen on an infected dog’s head, neck and in the groin area.

Unfortunately, some dogs are allergic to the flea’s saliva, which creates an allergic reaction in their skin, medically known as flea allergy dermatitis. A dog with flea allergy dermatitis can present with:

  • Severe itching
  • Scratching along with hair loss at the site of the flea bite.

Read more: What to do if your dog has fleas

Atopic dog allergies

These are also called airborne or inhalant allergies and are most commonly seen at certain times of the year.

These allergies occur due to the allergens that are seen in the environment during the transition of any season. For instance, if a dog shows signs of allergies during winters, then they are mostly allergic to dust mites. Similarly, dogs with allergies during summers and spring are likely to be allergic to pollens from the trees, grasses or weeds and the ones who get allergies during autumn are mostly allergic to ragweed.

This allergy is inherited by the dogs from their family.

Acute dog allergies

Acute allergic reactions are the most harmful allergies that can be seen in dogs. Reactions like anaphylactic shock can be seen in dogs if they have a severe reaction to an allergen. The dog can suddenly show signs like:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Lips turning blue
  • Excessively coughing
  • Watery red eyes
  • Loss of consciousness in some cases

If not treated immediately, acute allergic reactions can be fatal.

Dog food allergies

Food allergies are also known as food hypersensitivity. Usually, dogs develop an allergy to a protein or carbohydrate-rich food like beef, wheat, chicken, milk, eggs, lamb or soy. Food allergies are not so common and can develop at almost any age. Dogs with food allergies may present with vomiting and diarrhoea.

Symptoms of dog allergies

Any of these symptoms could be seen in a dog with any kind of allergy:

  • Either stuffy or runny nose
  • Coughing
  • Chest tightness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Watery red or itchy eyes
  • Skin rashes or hives (red bumps on the skin)
  • Loss of hair (either from a single spot or generalized)
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea in dogs
  • Swelling of face, ear, lips or eyelids
  • Constantly licking the body

Read more: Hot spots in dogs

How to prevent dog allergies

There are a few ways to prevent allergic reactions in your dogs: 

  • Many sprays and repellants are available over-the-counter which can keep insects at bay. These can help if your dog is allergic to some insects. Always consult your vet before using any such product as your dog can be allergic to any of the ingredients present in the repellant, too.
  • Allergy vaccine (allergy shot) could be given to the dog for the individual allergen that causes an allergic reaction in your dog.
  • You can prevent food allergies in your dog by providing variety in their diet as this natural rotation would help in maintaining the gut health of your dog. 
  • Avoid the allergen. Keep your dog mostly indoors during the seasonal transition.
  • You cannot keep your dog off the grass, but you can refrain them from sniffing flower beds which are full of pollen which can cause allergies in dogs.

Diagnosis of dog allergies

Some allergies like food allergy and atopic allergy cannot be tested through any medical test. They can only be diagnosed by exposing your dog to the allergen. Other tests which can be helpful in diagnosing dog allergies are: 

  • Skin test: The vet injects a small amount of allergic antigen into the skin of your dog and looks for a reaction around the injection site. Any allergic reaction like swelling or redness in that area can indicate an allergy. 
  • Serum test: Blood tests can be done by the vet to check for antigen-antibody reaction in the dog’s blood. The tests would include the RAST (radioallergosorbent) test and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test.

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Treatment of dog allergies

If your dog has a severe allergic reaction, rush him or her to the vet. Dog allergies can be treated in the following ways:

  • First and foremost, remove the allergen. Removing the allergen like allergic food or fabric will help reduce the symptoms.
  • Regular bathing and improving coat hygiene can help in reducing the itching.
  • Fleas in dogs can be treated with the help of chewable tablets, topical solutions and even flea collars.
  • Probiotics like yoghurt can be given to your dog to maintain their gut health, thus helping in recovery.
  • You can ask your vet for anti-allergic medications like diphenhydramine or antibiotic medications for dogs which would reduce the itching and prevent further inflammation.

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