Is your pet constantly chewing on their feet, licking themselves, or itching their body? Your pet might have an allergy.
So, What’s an Allergy?
Glad you asked! An allergy is a disorder caused by an abnormal reaction to a harmless substance called an allergen. The body has a reaction to the allergen and releases irritating chemicals such as histamines. This causes allergy symptoms. In dogs, these particular reactions are only present in significant amounts in the skin, which is why that is where we see a reaction. Allergies can affect dogs in a wide variety of ways – and not every dog will exhibit the same symptoms. There are two types of allergies, food and environmental. If your pet has year-round symptoms it is more than likely a food allergy. Unless you live somewhere that doesn’t have a freezing winter. Allergens can build up and cause symptoms year round.
Allergies can develop at any time of a pets life but typically develop between 1 to 3 years of age. Similar to humans, dogs and cats have had to been exposed to the allergen for some time before the allergy develops. As the pet ages, the response to the allergy can worsen too. Allergies are more common in certain breeds such as Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, Lhasa Apsos, Bichon Frise, Maltese, Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Dalmatians, Pugs, Sharpeis, Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Schnauzers, and English Bulldogs.
Common Allergy Symptoms
Now that we know what an allergy is, what are some symptoms? Well, allergies manifest themselves in one of four basic forms. The first is dermal which includes itching of the skin. Second is respiratory which can cause a runny nose, discharge from the eyes, wheezing, coughing, and even constriction of the airway. The third is digestive which can result in food intolerance, vomiting, diarrhea, and chronic digestive upset. Fourth is the systemic effects. In a serious case of a reaction can cause anaphylaxis. The reaction can cause facial, and or airway swelling drops in blood pressure, seizure, and death.
Things to Watch For
- Chewing on feet
- Constant licking
- Constant scratching and itching all over their body
- Skin lesions or abrasions from constant scratching
- Dry, and or flaky skin
- Red, irritated skin
- Hair loss
- Chronic ear infections
- Hot spots
- Head shaking
- Puffy red eyes, red paws, and even a red anus
Common Allergies
Okay, so what are some common allergens your pet can come in contact with?
- Meat- Beef, Chicken, or Turkey
- Foods and/or Food Additives
- Eggs
- Wheat, Corn or Soy
- Dairy Products
- Trees, Grass, Weed, Pollen
- Mold Spores
- Dust Mites
- Dander
- Cigarette Smoke
- Perfumes
- Fabrics
- Cedar Chips
- Rubber or Plastic Materials
- Flea Bites
- Cleaning Products
Allergy Treatment
The best way to treat allergies is to remove the allergen. It can be difficult to figure out what the actual allergen is, but seeking Veterinary care is the best option. If you believe it be a food-related allergy then a Vet will recommend a food trial. A food trial is an exclusive prescription or hydrolyzed protein diet. The diet lasts for 12 weeks and once complete you would introduce foods slowly back in until you discover what the allergen is. There are two allergy tests that can be done to determine for pets that do not respond to treatment.
There are some at home treatments that can be helpful. One of the treatments is frequent baths. Baths can help provide immediate relief to an itchy pet and wash away allergens. A hypoallergenic or oatmeal shampoo is ideal because of the ingredients aid in soothing the itchy skin. There are sprays you can find at most pet supply stores that help relieve the itch from hotspots. A dietary supplement, such as Omega-3 fatty acids can decrease inflammation throughout the body. Be careful not to give them Omega-6 because it can actually create an inflammatory response. Using a fish body oil with coconut oil before inflammation flares up in your pet’s body can help moderate or even suppress the inflammatory response.