Symptoms of Allergies in Dogs
Dog Breeds
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.
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Introduction
Dogs, like people, can develop allergic reactions to any number of things. In companion animals, the noticeable signs of allergies most frequently appear as skin problems, ear irritation or gastrointestinal upset. Allergies are basically an overreaction by the immune system to some offending substance – called the allergen - which can be an ingredient in food, a grass, weed or other plant in the environment, a chemical cleaner or other household product, fleas or other parasites or almost any other substance or material. The signs of allergies can mimic those of many other conditions, making it important for owners to be conscious of what is going on with their pets at all times. Once a dog has been exposed to something that triggers an abnormal immune response, subsequent exposures to the same substance will cause hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions. These allergic reactions can be localized or system-wide (systemic), and can occur swiftly or be slow in onset.
Symptoms of Canine Allergies – In General
In dogs, the clinical signs of allergies most often show up as skin problems, ear infections or gastrointestinal upset. Owners might notice some of the following symptoms suggestive of an allergic reaction:
Skin Irritation
- Itchiness and scratching
- Inflammation
- Redness and inflammation (rashes)
- sneezing
- Bumps and white pustules
- Lethargy
- Restlessness
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- “hot spots”
- irritation in the groin or flank area
- irritation on the paws or between the toes
- irritation behind the front legs, in the armpit (axial) area
- irritation under the neck and on the chin
- Red, weeping eyes
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In an effort to relieve the skin irritation, affected dogs may exhibit:
- Frequent and relentless scratching at affected areas
- Licking at affected areas
- Rolling on the floor or ground
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- Chewing at affected areas
- Moist sores or “hot spots” that are prone to becoming infected
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Ear Irritation
It is not uncommon for dogs with allergies to develop infections or other sorts of irritation in their ears. Owners may notice one or more of the following signs in their allergic dog:
- frequent and often relentless scratching at the ears
- shaking of the head
- thinning of the hair around the ears
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- build-up of a waxy residue inside the ears
- development of an abnormal “yeasty” in the ears
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Gastrointestinal Irritation
Dogs with allergies – especially food allergies - often have gastrointestinal disturbances in addition to skin and/or ear irritation. Common signs associated with allergies to ingredients in food include:
- burping
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- flatulence (excessive production of intestinal gas)
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- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- hives
- enlarged lymph nodes
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In many cases, food allergies go undiagnosed for years, because owners mistakenly believe that their dog simply “has a sensitive stomach”. Allergies can be detrimental to a dog’s health and quality of life. Continual scratching at affected areas of skin frequently leads to physical sores, which can become infected. When the ears are affected, the constant head shaking and scratching can lead to hematomas and other lesions on the ears. If these allergic reactions are especially severe and prolonged, the dog may develop significant behavioral changes as well.
Dogs at Increased Risk
There are some recognized familial components to allergies, especially to contact and inhalant hypersensitivities. Predisposed breeds may include Shar-Peis, Cairn Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, Scottish Terriers, Lhasa Apsos, Shih-Tzus, Wire-Haired Fox Terriers, Dalmatians, Irish Setters, English Setters, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers and Miniature Schnauzers.
Skin Allergies in Dogs
Preventing Problems Caused by Allergies