🐶❤️🐶 Is this the sweetest pup ever? 🐶❤️🐶

Eric Rardin

03 Jan 2025 — 5 min read

Here’s your daily dose of doggy goodness!

Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!

Dog of the Day: Loki!

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Meme of the day: Dog priorities.

Common Canine Allergies: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Allergies are a common ailment in dogs, often leading to discomfort and a decrease in quality of life if left untreated. These allergies can manifest in various ways, including symptoms like itching, skin irritation, hair loss, ear infections, and gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhea. Understanding the causes, recognizing the symptoms, and seeking appropriate treatment are essential steps in managing canine allergies effectively.

Common Allergens in Dogs

Dogs can be allergic to a variety of substances, categorized into three main groups:

Flea Allergies:
Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is one of the most common causes of allergies in dogs. It occurs when a dog reacts to the saliva of fleas, leading to intense itching and skin irritation, often concentrated at the base of the tail. Even a single flea bite can trigger a severe reaction in allergic dogs.
Environmental Allergens:
Dogs can develop atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition caused by environmental allergens like pollen, mold spores, dust mites, and grass. These allergens are similar to those that cause hay fever in humans. Symptoms often include itching, licking, and redness, typically affecting the paws, face, and belly.
Food Allergies:
Food allergies are less common but can be more challenging to manage. Common trigger ingredients include beef, chicken, dairy, wheat, and soy. Symptoms may include gastrointestinal upset (vomiting and diarrhea), as well as skin issues like itching, redness, or ear infections.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Signs of allergies in dogs can vary depending on the allergen and the individual dog’s response. Common symptoms include:

Skin Symptoms: Persistent scratching, redness, hives, flaky skin, and hot spots.
Hair Loss: Often due to excessive licking or scratching.
Ear Infections: Recurring ear infections accompanied by head shaking, odor, and discharge.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive gas, typically associated with food allergies.

Diagnosis of Canine Allergies

Diagnosing allergies in dogs involves several steps to determine the cause:

Physical Examination:
A thorough exam helps rule out other causes of itching or gastrointestinal distress, such as infections or parasites.

Allergy Testing:

Blood Tests: These measure the immune system's response to allergens in the bloodstream.
Intradermal Skin Testing: This involves injecting small amounts of suspected allergens under the skin and monitoring for a reaction. Intradermal testing is considered the gold standard for diagnosing environmental allergies.

Dietary Trials:
To diagnose food allergies, a veterinarian may recommend a hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient diet for 8–12 weeks. During this time, your dog must avoid all other foods, treats, and table scraps. If symptoms improve, the dog is reintroduced to individual ingredients to identify the allergen.

Treatment Options

Treating canine allergies requires a tailored approach based on the specific allergen and the severity of symptoms.

Medications:

Antihistamines: Help reduce itching and provide relief for mild cases.
Steroids: Prescribed for more severe inflammation but are typically used short-term due to potential side effects.
Immunosuppressive Drugs: Such as cyclosporine or oclacitinib (Apoquel), can manage chronic symptoms.

Supplements:

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Allergen Avoidance:

For flea allergies, use effective flea control products, such as oral medications or topical treatments.
For environmental allergies, minimize exposure by cleaning your dog’s living area, using air purifiers, and bathing your dog with hypoallergenic shampoos to remove allergens from the skin.
For food allergies, adhere strictly to a veterinarian-recommended hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient diet.

Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots):
For dogs with environmental allergies, immunotherapy can desensitize them to specific allergens over time. This involves administering small, gradually increasing doses of the allergen to build tolerance.
Skin Care:
Topical treatments, such as medicated shampoos, sprays, and conditioners, can soothe irritated skin and reduce itching. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements may also improve skin health and reduce inflammation.

Managing Food Allergies

Food allergies require strict management and monitoring. Your veterinarian may recommend:

Hypoallergenic Diets: These diets use hydrolyzed proteins or novel proteins your dog has not been exposed to before.
Limited-Ingredient Diets: Simplified formulas with fewer ingredients to minimize potential allergens.
Avoidance: Ensure your dog does not consume treats, chews, or table scraps that could contain allergens. Carefully read ingredient labels and consult your veterinarian for safe options.

Preventive Measures and Ongoing Care

Regular grooming and flea prevention can significantly reduce the risk of flea allergy dermatitis.
Regular veterinary check-ups help monitor your dog’s health and catch early signs of allergies.
Keep a clean environment to minimize exposure to environmental allergens.
Adhere to prescribed treatments and dietary recommendations for long-term management.

References:

Griffin, C. E., & DeBoer, D. J. (2001). The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (I): Incidence and prevalence. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology.
Bizikova, P., Bensignor, E., & Olivry, T. (2015). The usefulness of allergens in serological testing of dogs with atopic dermatitis. Veterinary Dermatology.
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). (n.d.). Skin allergies in dogs: Causes and treatment options.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition. (2022). Managing food allergies in dogs.
Vital Science Pets. Learn more.

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