Introduction
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. Allergy symptoms may cause nothing more than a mild itch, or the allergy may cause severe discomfort, bacterial infections, and depression.
Common Symptoms of Allergies
Skin Irritation
Most of the allergic reactions that dogs experience cause allergy symptoms on the skin. Their skin generally becomes itchy, inflamed and red; sometimes pumps or white pustules appear on the body. Many of these symptoms appear more often in the groin area, under the arms, and under the neck. In an effort to relieve the constant itching, the dog may scratch continuously, roll on the floor, or chew on itself.
Ear Irritation
In some cases, allergy symptoms appear as repeated ear infections. These infections are often accompanied by allergic skin symptoms. The pet owner may notice constant scratching of the ears, the hair around the ears may thin, wax residue from the ears may increase, and there is often a yeasty smell coming from the ears.
Gastrointestinal Irritation
Dogs that experience food allergies display gastrointestinal symptoms. Some of the symptoms of food allergies include: burping, vomiting, and passing a lot of gas, weight loss, hives, swollen lymph nodes, and diarrhea. In many instances the food allergy remains undiagnosed for years, and owners mistakenly believe that their dog just has a sensitive stomach.
In severe cases the allergy symptoms can threaten the dog’s health and quality of life. Continual scratching can lead to sores, and if the scratching continues secondary bacterial infections on the skin can develop. Constant head shaking and scratching on the ears may lead to ear hematomas, and continual chewing can damage and break the skin as well. If these symptoms are severe enough, and unresolved, the dog may become depressed, lose interest in daily activities, and lose weight.