Dog Skin Allergies

When managing dog allergies, treatment options vary depending on exactly what it is your dog is allergic to. In the case of house dust and dust mites, there’s a few things you can do. Be sure to wash your dog’s bedding in hot water. This will kill any dust mites present. Also keep your dog out of the room when cleaning and vacuuming. Avoid stuffed dog toys and if possible keep your dog in uncarpeted rooms. Running the air conditioner during hot and humid weather can also be helpful when managing dog allergies. Treatment can also include running a dehumidifier during colder dry months.

If you think your dog is allergic to mold, be sure to keep him out of damp basements, crawl spaces, and keep him inside when the lawn is mowed. Be sure to keep your grass cut at a low level and rinse your dog off after spending excessive time outdoors. High pollen counts can also cause your dog’s allergies to flare up. Treatment recommendations in this case involve keeping your dog indoors at dusk and early morning, especially during the heavy pollen season in your geographic location.

Other dog allergy treatment options include the use of special shampoos and rinses which remove allergens from the skin and help to eliminate dry skin. However, you may want to avoid giving too many baths as this will cause more harm than good. Fatty acid supplements can also be helpful when treating dog allergies.

Dog food allergies are thought to account for only 1% to 6% of all cases involving nonseasonal itchiness in dogs. It’s important to distinguish the difference between dog food allergies and food intolerance. A food allergy or hypersensitivity is caused by a response triggered by the immune system,. A food intolerance is an adverse reaction caused by something not related to the immune system such as garbage ingestion or eating chocolate or onions.

The most common clinical sign of dog food allergies is itchiness accompanied by gastrointestinal problems. However, other signs that have been associated with dog food allergies include vomiting, diarrhea, neurologic symptoms and even seizures. Certain breeds may be more predisposed to the condition than others. These include Wheaton Terriers, Dalmatians, West Highland Terriers, Collies, Shar-Peis, Lhasa Apso, Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, Miniature Schauzers, Labrador Retrievers, Dachshunds, Poodles, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Boxers.

The best method for diagnosing a dog food allergy is to conduct an elimination food trial in which only one or two novel protein and carbohydrate sources are fed for a minimum of 8-12 weeks or longer. The most common allergens that cause dog food allergies include beef, dairy, and wheat. Common ingredients found in canine diets used for allergic food trials include venison, duck, fish, potatoes, and rice. Lamb is no longer considered to be a novel protein source for dogs because of its popularity in many over-the-counter foods.

When treating dog food allergies it’s important to feed your dog a prescription diet available only from veterinarians. Many pet food companies produce special diets labeled for dog food allergies but these products contain additional ingredients not allowed in prescription diets. There can also be many additives in these diets that are not included on the list of ingredients. Unfortunately, despite owner concern about the quality of certain brands of commercial dog food, there’s no holistic or natural dog food available in pet stores that compare to the hypoallergenic diets developed by companies that specialize in prescription pet food. Two of the best foods used for dog food allergies include Hills Z/D Ultra and Royal Canin IVD Venison and Potato. Owners also have the option of feeding their dog a homemade diet if they have hesitations about feeding commercial dog food.

Dogs with skin allergies are often genetically predisposed to the condition. Canine atopy or atopic dermatitis can be defined as a genetic predisposition to developing allergic skin disease caused by environmental allergens such as dust, mold, and pollen. About 80% of dogs with allergies will start with seasonal allergies during the summer months but many dogs will eventually develop clinical signs throughout the year. Some breeds seem to be more affected than others including the Chinese Shar-Pei, West Highland Terrier, Scottish Terrier, English Setter, Labrador, Boxer, and Golden Retriever.

Some dogs that have issues relating to environmental allergens usually develop eye and ear infections. In rare cases some dogs may also develop gastrointestinal diseases such as diarrhea or colitis. It’s also important to remember that many dogs with allergies react to more than one type of allergen. In all cases, a food trial should be done to rule out the possibility of a food allergy. Dogs with allergies are often treated with the same medications used to treat humans. Essential fatty acids can also be used and clinical trials have shown that they benefit about 30% of allergic dogs. Essential fatty acids are often given in combination with other medications such as antihistamines and glucocorticoids. However, it may take 8-12 weeks to see results.

Treating dogs with allergies can be frustrating for both veterinarians and dog parents because not all dogs will respond to the same treatment. Many dogs will require a combination of treatments for complete management of symptoms. What also makes treating dogs with allergies so difficult is that avoidance of the offending allergen provides the best results but in many cases the offending allergen isn’t known or is impossible to avoid.

Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine are common medications used by veterinarians for treating dogs with allergies. Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory medications are sometimes used to decrease the pain and inflammation associated with itching but cannot be used to treat or cure the disease itself. More often short-acting steroids such as prednisone and methylprednisolone are used to provide immediate relief. However, there is concern about the long-term effects of steroids so you should spend some time with your veterinarian to pinpoint the main cause of your dog’s allergic reaction so you can treat the cause and not the symptoms of his condition.

Topical therapy including the use of special shampoos is often used in combination with medications. When treating dogs with allergies it’s always in the best interest of the dog as well as the owner to track down the offending allergen(s) as soon as possible. You could easily end up spending hundreds of dollars on medications and treatments that do nothing but treat the symptoms of your dog’s condition. Instead, spend the money on a trip to see a veterinary dermatologist who can offer insight on what specifically is causing your dog.

Dog flea allergies are a common cause of skin irritation and hair loss in dogs. Even if you think your dog doesn’t have fleas all it takes is one flea bite for a reaction to occur. Luckily, dog flea allergies are very easy to treat once the cause has been determined. Your veterinarian may recommend giving your dog a steroid injection to help ease discomfort until the flea medication starts working. Further treatment is based on the severity of your dog’s flea infestation.

If your dog is severely infested the fastest way to kill the fleas is to give your dog a product called Capstar. Capstar (nitenpyram) is a tablet available from your veterinarian that contains a medication that will start killing fleas within minutes. In fact, almost all of the adult fleas on your dog will be dead (you’ll actually watch them fall off and die!) within four hours.

But keep in mind–the fleas that you currently see on your dog are only in the adult stage. There are thousands and thousands of baby fleas in your home just waiting to grow into adult fleas and infest your dog. You can manage this by giving your dog a dose of Frontline Plus once monthly for three consecutive months starting on the same day you give the Capstar. This will kill all the fleas as they develop through their complete life cycle from eggs to adult. Flea bombs or sprays are not recommended while treating dog flea allergies. Daily vacuuming in the areas where your dog spends most of his time is all that’s needed.