Dog owners and their pets may find allergies to be a frustrating problem. Dogs are susceptible to a variety of allergic reactions that can impact their skin, digestive system, and general health, just like people. Early detection of the symptoms can significantly impact how comfortably your pet lives on a daily basis.
Itching, redness, and upset stomach are common symptoms. It may be necessary to look into possible allergies if your pet exhibits unusual skin reactions or is scratching more than usual. Effective treatment requires an understanding of what causes these reactions.
Dog allergies can be brought on by a wide range of environmental factors, including dust mites and pollen, as well as food ingredients. Finding the best way to manage the allergy with your veterinarian can be aided by understanding its cause. Thankfully, there are a number of treatment choices available to help reduce symptoms and enhance your dog’s quality of life.
This post will go over the signs and causes of allergies in dogs as well as the different drugs and therapies that can be used to make your pet feel better. You can contribute to your dog’s happier, more comfortable life by taking the appropriate measures.
- General symptoms and signs of allergies in dogs
- Types of allergies and their specificity
- Food allergy (food)
- "Flea" dermatitis
- Contact dermatitis
- Atopic dermatitis
- Infectious allergy
- Allergy to drugs
- Allergic otitis
- Autoimmune
- Diagnostics and laboratory tests
- Treatment of allergies in dogs
- What to feed a dog with allergies
- What can you give your pet – allergy pills for dogs
- Allergy injections for dogs
- Vitamins for dogs against allergies
- Ointments
- Allergy drops for dogs
- Video on the topic
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General symptoms and signs of allergies in dogs
- Itching that irritates the animal, the dog scratches, scratches the skin, sores appear;
- Baldness caused by hair loss due to constant friction;
- Weeping eczema in the armpits;
- Swelling of the face and limbs;
- Atypical profuse discharge from the ears;
- Increased lacrimation;
- Smell from the mouth;
- Sores on the lips;
- Dandruff;
- Peeling and cracking of the paw pads;
- Eating disorders.
It’s crucial to get in touch with a veterinarian and perform diagnostics in order to ascertain the nature of the reaction as precisely as possible. It can be simple to mistake an allergy for a serious illness in certain situations. It is therefore preferable to get in touch with a clinic if you notice at least one symptom.
Types of allergies and their specificity
The nature of the irritant and the specificity of the process distinguish different types of allergies. Two types can be distinguished in the first instance: cumulative (where the body reacts slowly, accumulating allergens while the immune system attempts to identify the threat without acting quickly), and instant (where there is an immediate, fast reaction following contact with an irritant). A variety of potential chemical and natural allergens are included in the second category.
Food allergy (food)
A food allergy is the body’s response to various plant- and animal-based proteins that are consumed by the dog. It should be differentiated from the idea of "product intolerance," in which severe vomiting, diarrhea, and loose stools occur in place of the usual allergic symptoms. One of the most common types of irritation is unrelated to physiological factors like age, breed, or gender. Pets frequently react to familiar products as well.
The primary components of natural, dry foods that cause allergies are:
- chicken;
- beef;
- pork (their processed proteins and offal);
- corn and wheat;
- soy;
- fish;
- dairy products.
An allergy is not a bad thing. You should choose a diet and food solely based on the unique characteristics of your dog, as not all pets have allergies or intolerances to the products on this list.
The signs and symptoms are typical of allergic reactions. The primary symptoms are frequently an itchy rash on the belly, front limbs, and muzzle; unusual ear discharge; and eating disorders.
Antihistamine prescriptions and the introduction of a diet devoid of previously consumed items for the pet are the mainstays of this kind of care.
"Flea" dermatitis
Alludes to seasonal allergic reactions, to which a pet cannot be immune. The use of long-acting anti-flea medications makes prevention simple, but selection is key.
The saliva of the flea, which enters the wound through biting and causes excruciating itching and slows down blood clotting, is the allergen in this instance rather than the bite or the flea itself. The primary risk of dermatitis is the development of infections, fungi, and helminth-related disorders that spread through open wounds without skin protection.
Hair loss, dandruff (mostly black from flea secretions), extreme itching, bruises and abrasions from constant scratching, irritability, restlessness, and appetite loss are all signs of this irritation.
The first goal of treatment is to eliminate any potential irritants from the animal’s surroundings and from its body (carpets, toys, beds). Next, it’s critical to reduce inflammation and calm the skin. After that, you must keep an eye on the pet’s health to identify any potential relapses or other illnesses the flea may have brought on.
Contact dermatitis
A kind of allergic reaction brought on by either brief or extended contact with an irritant. Both cumulative and instantaneous reactions are possible. Both the intensity of the irritant and the pet’s immune system play a role.
Contact can occur on a regular basis (using hygiene products), indirectly (chemical waste), or closely (collars, synthetics). Dogs living in urban areas frequently develop this type of dermatitis after coming into contact with pipes and drains from industrial production facilities.
Symptoms include blisters, pimples, hives, peeling and redness of the paw pads, hair loss, itching, and skin lesions and irritation at the sites of contact with the allergen.
The animal is first kept apart from the irritant. The vet recommends calming creams and antihistamines. In situations where eliminating the allergen is not feasible, such as in an urban setting, the dog may be prescribed medications that boost or fortify their immune system.
Atopic dermatitis
This type of long-term, inherited allergic reaction can be brought on by a variety of irritants, including fungi, insects, helminths, pollen, smells, and the chemicals in medications and personal hygiene items. This kind is hard to handle and incurable. To prevent relapses, the pet must take its meds consistently. The rarest allergens are the sun, chemicals and trace elements on the owner’s skin and hair, and perfumes.
A separate list of breeds that are genetically prone to these issues can be created as follows:
Heredity or inappropriate circumstances for a pregnant woman’s confinement are the primary causes of the incident. Furthermore, environmental factors, climate, and potential chronic illnesses (hypothyroidism, urolithiasis, etc.) can influence the development of dermatitis. D.).
Symptoms and indicators:
- Damage to individual areas of the skin on the paws, groin, muzzle, ears, armpits;
- Alopecia (baldness) in the affected areas;
- Impetigo – discoloration of the affected areas;
- Appearance of papules (vesicles with purulent fluid);
- Inflammation of the paw pads;
- Severe itching;
Antihistamines are used (continuously) and isolation from the irritant (which is not always possible) as treatments for dermatitis.
Infectious allergy
Infectious type: a result of contracting a virus or infection rather than an immediate allergic response. develops in the context of another illness (such as enteritis, salmonellosis, tuberculosis, plague, etc.) or when the fungus enters a wound.
The usual symptoms will be redness, itching, and anxiety. But all indications will be incidental. The disease’s symptoms will become more apparent.
Antibiotics are used in treatment because, naturally, the main goal is to eradicate the pathogenic microorganism.
Allergy to drugs
Usually, a prompt response to a medication ingested or administered. triggered by one of the drug’s irritants. a unique allergy brought on by genetics or breed to specific ingredients. Antibiotics, antispasmodics, live vaccines, and B vitamins are the most common causes of adverse reactions.
Bright symptoms include urticaria (in long-term cases), convulsions, increased salivation, rashes and redness on the muzzle, and anaphylactic shock.
Administered a neutralizing agent, an anti-shock medication, or a "antidote" only as instructed by a veterinarian.
Allergic otitis
An infection of the ears, or just one, is called otitis. Split up into:
- External (inflammation of the external canal);
- Middle (damage to the middle ear);
- Internal (not typical for allergic reactions, but can be a consequence). During the reaction to the irritant, there is often an increase in the production of sulfur. Most often, otitis becomes a sign of an allergy to ear parasites or injuries to the ear canals.
Typical symptoms include agitation, ear pain (the dog whimpers and won’t let you touch its ears), head shaking and head tilting in the direction of the sore ear, strong sulfur discharge, and an unpleasant smell.
Otitis is more common in dogs with narrow ear canals and hanging ears, such as spaniels, setters, shar pei, and hounds.
Otitis is prevented concurrently with treating the underlying cause. Antihistamines, antibiotics (to reduce inflammation), insecticides, and calming ointments could be prescribed for the pet.
Autoimmune
A variety of illnesses brought on by the immune system’s erratic and dysfunctional performance. It generates antibodies that are meant to kill the body’s own cells. The location of the lesion separates diseases; they show symptoms differently in each case.
Pemphigus and lupus develop if cells are generated that impact the layers of the epidermis or the tissues that connect them. Manifestations that are also taken into consideration are:
- Vitiligo (change in skin pigmentation);
- Polychondritis (affects cartilage, looks like ear diseases);
- Vasculitis (damage to blood vessels).
Treatment consists of giving medications that lower immune system activity.
Diagnostics and laboratory tests
The dog must be tested for allergies prior to beginning treatment!
The primary examinations required to identify the kind of allergic reaction are:
- Skin scraping – diagnostics of possible parasitic skin infections, a pre-treated scalpel is inserted into the layer of skin cleaned of wool and the resulting "smear" is transferred to glass; price – 500-550 rubles ;
- Cytological examination – is carried out on a swollen or festering surface of the skin, a sterile device is used to scrape off the secreted substance until bloody discharge appears; cost – 900 rubles ;
- Allergen detection test – the animal"s skin is excised, tests of possible allergens are applied to small cuts, and the resulting reaction reveals what exactly is causing the irritation; cost – 4000-5000 rubles ;
- Blood test for histamine – by the method of conducting it is similar to the general an
- blood analysis.
Treatment of allergies in dogs
A comprehensive approach should be taken when dealing with an allergic pet. First things first, we need to figure out why dogs get allergies. The symptoms and type of hypersensitivity reaction determine the course of treatment.
The use of medications should be discontinued if that is the cause. Shampoo needs to be used to wash the topical agents—ointments, drops on the withers, etc.—off the dog if that is the cause of the reaction. Enterosorbents, like Enterozoo, and antihistamines, like Cetrin and Tavegil, are used if the pet is allergic to systemic medications, like an antibiotic.
Allergens must be avoided in the diet of a dog suffering from food hypersensitivity. A rough schedule for drug treatment could look like this:
- Tablets Apoquel to eliminate acute itching;
- Local application of ointment Akriderm GK;
- Cortavance spray for local itching;
- Shampoo with 4% Chlorhexidine to eliminate superficial pyoderma;
- Feeding with protein hydrolysate, monoprotein diet, homemade or industrial diet.
Determining the allergen in cases of atopic dermatitis can be challenging. In this instance, therapy and symptom management for the dog might last a lifetime. Possible course of treatment:
- Allergen specific immunotherapy (ASIT). Intradermal tests are performed, the allergen is identified and, based on the data obtained, a vaccine is made and administered to the dog;
- In case of exacerbation, fast-acting antipruritic drugs can be used: Prednisolone, Apoquel. Then, in parallel, introduce Atopica and remain only on it for a long time. The course, frequency of use and dosage are selected by the doctor individually.
- Antibiotic therapy Sinulox or Cefalen. High dosage and long course for deep skin damage by bacteria;
- Antifungal drugs Terbinafine, Itraconazole in the presence of a severe fungal infection;
- Local application of ointments for immunosuppression or elimination of pathogenic microflora: Akriderm, Protopic, Bactroban.
Dogs with flea allergic dermatitis are treated with drops, sprays, tablets, and collars that repel parasites in addition to medications for symptoms:
- Frontline combo. From adult fleas and their larvae;
- Bravecto tablets protect for up to 12 weeks;
- Foresto collar. Repellent effect for 8 months;
- Fresn&Spray “Dog Soap” with a natural composition for regular use;
- Lugovoy shampoo. Provides a short-term effect for 3-7 days.
Furthermore, there exist products that are suitable for treating any type of allergy. They are essential for the skin’s ability to regenerate, enhancing the coat’s quality and the body’s overall health:
- Enterozoo. Enterosorbent, which binds and removes allergens from the intestines;
- Medicinal shampoos with ceramides and lipids to restore the protective function of the skin: Douxo, Allermil, Essential 6 Sebo;
- Drops on the withers Piospot, Essential with essential fatty acids;
- Diklorex foam for deep cleansing and filling the skin with nutrients;
- Wipes Pioclean and Chlorexiderm to eliminate dirt and odor.
What to feed a dog with allergies
Selecting a diet for an allergic dog can be challenging, and managing it independently can be challenging for the owner. Both commercial feed and homemade goods can be used for feeding.
There are various crucial points to remember:
- Bowls should be made of glass, ceramics or metal and washed regularly;
- You cannot give food from your hands;
- Errors in the diet are unacceptable: strawberries from the garden; granules from the cat"s bowl; milk instead of water;
- Treats should be selected by a veterinarian.
Only a few foods make up the industrial diets of allergy sufferers:
- Royal Canin hypoallergenic and analleogenic;
- Hills z/d, d/d, Derm Defens.
- Farmina Vet Life UltraHypo and Farmina Dog Hypoallergenic;
- Monge Dog Speciality Hypoallergenic;
- Happy Dog Vet Diet Hypersensitivity;
- Proplan H/A.
The severity of the dog’s ailment, the kind of allergy, and the previous diet all influence the decision.
For the first eight to twelve weeks, the dog’s natural diet consists of just two items: protein and carbohydrates, which it hasn’t had in the previous six months. Lean pork + rice, or nutria + potatoes, for instance. After that, you can progressively add one new product to the diet every three days and track the outcome.
It is necessary to include additional sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in a natural diet. These could be fish oil or industrial biological additives.
Like people, dogs can have allergies, which can cause a variety of symptoms like itching, redness, and digestive problems. It’s critical for pet owners to comprehend the common causes, which include certain foods, pollen, and flea bites. In addition to discussing the causes and symptoms of these conditions, this article will discuss efficient therapies and prescriptions that can help control your dog’s allergies and enhance their quality of life.
What can you give your pet – allergy pills for dogs
The following are most frequently used to treat symptoms; they work quickly and are called hormonal drugs or Apoquel. Antihistamines can be used before seeing a doctor in order to avoid harm, particularly if you have a small pet.
For small breed dogs, allergy medications like Zyrtec, Suprastin, and similar tablets and injections are the best options.
Please read the complete instructions provided in the veterinary pharmacy before using any of the following medications:
Name of the drug | Dosage |
Loratadine | 5-15 mg per dog once a day |
Tavegil | 0.05-0.15 mg/kg 2 times a day |
Cetrin | 1 mg/kg 2 times a day |
Zyrtec | 10-20 mg per dog once a day |
Metipred | 0.1 mg/kg 1 time per day |
Prednisolone | 0.5-2 mg/kg 1-2 times a day |
Claritin | 5-15 mg per dog once a day |
Apoquel | 0.4-0.6 mg/kg 2 times a day |
Atopica | 5 mg/kg 1-2 times a day |
Suprastin | 4-8 mg per dog 2-3 times a day |
Allergy injections for dogs
When the digestive system is compromised or a long-term solution is required without daily adjustments, allergy injections are utilized. Consultation with a veterinarian is required prior to administering injections!
Please read the complete instructions provided in the veterinary pharmacy before using any of the following medications:
Drug name | Dosage |
Cytopoint | 2 mg/kg |
Prednisolone | 0.5-2 mg/kg 1-2 times a day |
Dexamethasone | 0.1-0.5 mg / kg 1-2 times a day |
Dexafort | 0.5-1 ml per dog once every 7 days |
Vitamins for dogs against allergies
Vitamin complexes aid in enhancing the skin and coat quality of dogs.
Name of the drug | Dosage |
Super coat | 0.5-1 ml per kg for a month |
Excel brewers | 1 tablet per 4 kg 2-4 weeks |
Veda Fitominy | 1 tablet per 10 kg 2 times a day until the effect |
Bone with brewer"s yeast | 1 tablet per 10 kg |
Farmavit "Perfection of wool" | 2 tablets per 3 kg of weight 21 days |
Ointments
Dog skin allergies can be treated locally with ointments and creams:
- With an antibiotic: Fucidin, Bactroban;
- Immunosuppressive: Prototype, Advantan;
- Antifungal: Terbinafine, Ketoconazole;
- Complex: Akriderm GK.
Allergy drops for dogs
When a dog refuses to take vitamins, allergy drops are a convenient solution for helping the skin heal.
- Cytoderm. Complex of natural oils;
- Piospot with biologically active substances and vitamins;
- Essential with essential fatty acids.
Not all of them are applied to the withered area of skin once every seven days for a period of four to six weeks.
Symptoms | Causes |
Itching and scratching | Food allergies |
Red or inflamed skin | Pollen or dust mites |
Ear infections | Flea bites |
Watery eyes | Environmental allergens |
Vomiting or diarrhea | Certain medications |
Hair loss | Contact allergens |
While treating canine allergies can be difficult, the first step in providing your pet with relief is to educate yourself about the symptoms and underlying causes. It’s important to monitor your dog’s behavior because common symptoms such as itchiness, sneezing, and digestive problems can point to an allergy.
For treatment to be effective, the underlying cause—whether it be food, pollen, or fleas—must be determined. A veterinarian can help identify the precise allergy and create a customized treatment plan that may involve prescription drugs, specialized diets, or adjustments to the surrounding environment.
You can help your dog live a comfortable life even with allergies if you take the right approach. Ensuring their well-being will largely depend on proactive environmental management and routine check-ups. Their happiness and well-being can be greatly impacted by your concern and attention.