Once a dog has been exposed to an allergen, subsequent exposure to the same substance will cause hypersensitivity (“allergic”) reactions. These can be local or system-wide and can occur immediately or be slow in onset. In dogs, the clinical signs of allergies most often appear as skin problems, ear infections or gastrointestinal upset.
“Allergies” are essentially the response of the body’s immune system to environmental or other allergens. These allergens can be practically anything - from flea saliva to dust mites to grasses and pollen and components of food. As in people, dogs that are allergic to particular things have an immune reaction that normally involves the skin but also often involves the gastrointestinal system. The best way to “prevent” allergies in our dogs is to prevent their contact with whatever is causing the allergic reaction.
Dogs can experience allergies just like people can, but allergy symptoms in dogs do not involve watery eyes and constant sneezing. Instead, allergy symptoms in dogs appear most often as skin problems, ear infections, and gastrointestinal upset.
Skin allergies in dogs are the result of immune reactions to allergens in the dog’s environment or food. Skin allergies are classified as atopic, parasitic, food allergies, or contact. Allergies in dogs can occur in any breed, at any age, but some groups of dogs are at a higher risk for developing allergies.
Food allergies in dogs are responsible for only 5-10 percent of all allergies in dogs, but food allergies can be some of the most frustrating types of allergies. Food allergies are not easy to diagnose, and the diagnosis procedure for food allergies requires a lot of time and patience. Many different types of foods can cause a food allergy in dogs, and the symptoms for food allergies can occur at any age.
The most common form of dog allergy is also the easiest to diagnose. Allergy testing, either through skin testing or blood testing, is an option. A less invasive way to diagnose the cause of allergies would be to remove possible allergens from the animal’s environment until the problem subsides.
Once allergies are diagnosed in a dog and the cause is determined, then treatment can begin. Topical treatments are available to use on any irritated areas on the dog. Immunotherapy, which requires injections to try and acclimate the body to the allergens if avoidance is impossible, may be required in severe cases.