Allergies in Dogs
Introduction
Allergies in Dogs Guide: Find veterinary reviewed articles that provide an in depth overview of Allergies in dogs, including what the disease is and how it affects your dog. Get started and see what you and your vet can do for a dog that has Allergies.
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Definition of Allergies in Dogs
The term “allergy” is a general reference to an overreaction by the immune system to an allergen, which is any substance that is capable of inducing that specific hypersensitivity reaction in that particular animal. For example, if a person is allergic to chocolate, chocolate is the allergen. The allergen can be almost anything, but it commonly is an ingredient in the dog’s food, a grass, weed or other plant in the environment, flea saliva or dust mites, a chemical cleaner or other household product, or any number of other things. A more specific definition of “allergy” is an altered reaction to something (the allergen), following a second or subsequent exposure to it. The allergic reaction can be triggered by physical contact, inhalation, injection or ingestion of the inciting allergen.
Most allergies in domestic dogs are exaggerated immune (hypersensitivity) reactions to flea or tick bites, contact or airborne substances or some particular ingredient in food. Allergies to fleas, which are extremely common in dogs, are caused by an immune reaction to flea saliva which causes irritation and itchiness at the site of the bite, increasing the risk of bacterial infection and localized hair loss. Common contact and inhalant allergens include seasonal pollen, trees, bushes, grasses,
“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
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
Allergies are the result of the immune system over-reacting to particular allergens in a dog’s environment. Another term for allergies is “hypersensitivity” or hypersensitivity reactions.” Actually, the phrase “skin allergies” is somewhat of a misnomer, because the dog is not necessarily “allergic to” something in or on its skin. A better description of what we commonly cause “skin allergies” is an overreaction by the dog’s immune system to something in its environment, which is called
Food allergies in domestic dogs involve an abnormal response by the dog’s immune system to something that the dog has eaten. The most common signs of this type of hypersensitivity reaction are intensely itchy skin and gastrointestinal disturbances such as vomiting and diarrhea. More correctly called “dermatologic adverse reaction to food,” this atypical immune system response is among the most frustrating of all common medical conditions for dog owners to deal with. Food allergies can
Anyone who has seen a dog constantly scratching or chewing on itself probably has seen a dog with allergies. Whether caused by inhalants in the air, flea or other insect bites or components of food, allergies can range from causing simple irritation to predisposing dogs to severe secondary infections. The precise cause of allergies in a given dog is difficult, but not impossible, to diagnose.The most common cause of allergic reactions in dogs is also
When an owner suspects that her dog may be suffering from some sort of allergy, she should take her dog to the veterinarian for a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis. Once a dog’s allergies are diagnosed and the underlying cause is determined, treatment can begin. It is very important for owners to work closely with their veterinarians to identify exactly what the dog is allergic to before attempting treatment. If left untreated, allergies can become