SKIN ALLERGIES IN DOGS: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS
Is your dog experiencing intense scratching and licking? Is their skin red or inflamed?
If so, you’re certainly not alone.
Nothing drives your dog nuttier than incessant itching. This can be due to many factors, but the main culprit is usually some form of skin allergy. It is THE most common reason why pet parents seek veterinary care.
Depending on the severity – and without pet insurance – treatments for skin allergies can add up quickly.
The focus of this post is the effect of environmental allergens that cause an allergic reaction leading to Atopic Dermatitis.
- How do you know if your dog has skin allergies or some other medical condition?
- If it is allergies, what’s the cause?
- Is my dog breed susceptible to skin allergies?
- If my dog has skin allergies, how is it treated?
- What should you do if you think your dog has skin allergies?
We’ll attempt to address all of these issues, but freely admit that we can’t offer any definitive diagnoses in this post. Since so many symptoms overlap between each type of canine allergy, we always recommend to book an appointment with our veterinarians. Incorrect assumptions can otherwise can lead to adverse medical outcomes.
WHAT IS AN ALLERGY IN DOGS?
An allergy is a reaction caused by an element known as an allergen. It may be internal or externally triggered and could be unique to a specific dog or more commonly familiar across their breed, age or population.
The immune system responds to the allergen by overcompensating and reacting uncharacteristically to what should be an ordinary environmental or internal issue.
In short, allergies are a misdirected response to foreign substances by the body’s immune system.
CAUSES OF SKIN ALLERGIES IN DOGS
There are 3 key causes of skin allergies in dogs:
1. Flea Allergy Dermatitis
This is an allergic reaction specific to saliva in flea bites. This makes affected dogs very itchy, especially at the base of the tail. Skin may become irritated and swollen – rashes or open wounds are possible outcomes.
2. Food allergies
Just as in humans, sensitivity to some foods can cause allergic reactions and itchy skin. Dogs with food allergies typically scratch are around their ears and paws. Gastrointestinal symptoms – such as vomiting and diarrhea – may also be indicate an allergic response to some types of food.
3. Environmental Allergens
Skin allergies from environmental factors are the most common type of allergic reactions in dogs. These allergies are usually seasonal, and are caused by allergens such as dust, pollen, weeds, grasses and mold. As a result, you may only notice your dog itching at certain times of the year.
The focus of this post is the effect of environmental allergens that cause an allergic reaction leading to Atopic Dermatitis.
- How do you know if your dog has skin allergies or some other medical condition?
- If it is allergies, what’s the cause?
- Is my dog breed susceptible to skin allergies?
- If my dog has skin allergies, how is it treated?
- What should you do if you think your dog has skin allergies?
We’ll attempt to address all of these issues, but freely admit that we won’t’t reach any definitive diagnoses in this post. Since so many symptoms overlap between each type of canine allergy, we always recommend to book an appointment with our veterinarians. Incorrect assumptions can otherwise can lead to adverse medical outcomes.
Meet the Enemy: FLEAS
These tiny, blood-sucking parasites irritate your pet and can infest your home, often before you realize that they’ve have moved in. If you and your dog are scratching your heads and you’re wondering how to address dog fleas, we’ve got your covered.
WHAT IS ATOPIC DERMATITIS IN DOGS?
This skin allergy – often called allergic dermatitis or atopic dermatitis – is a chronic condition associated with environmental factors and is typically acquired through inhalation of certain types of allergens. In human terms, it’s a form of hay fever.
Atopic Dermatitis is hereditary and generally afflicts purebred dogs, more so than mixed breeds.
WHAT BREEDS HAVE A HIGHER RISK OF SKIN ALLERGIES?
- Dalmatian
- Golden Retriever
- Terrier
- French Bulldog
- Irish Setter
- Boxer
- Shih-Tzu
- Labrador Retriever
- Lhasa Apso
- Pug
- German Shepherd
SYMPTOMS OF ATOPIC DERMATITIS IN DOGS
A dog with atopic dermatitis will typically show symptoms between 3 months to 6 years of age. Older dogs (7+) don’t tend to develop atopic dermatitis, although a new environment may trigger new allergens. Atopic dermatitis often starts as a mild condition – symptoms may not appear before three years of age.
Although occasionally seasonal, symptoms often worsen over time. They can also differ depending on the type of allergen and the severity of the reaction.
However, dogs will exhibit some of these common signs:
- Frequent itching and scratching
- Excessive licking, especially at their paws
- Biting and gnawing of the skin
- Red, inflamed skin or rashes
- Dry or oily skin
- Hives and other bumps
- Loss of fur
- Frequent shaking of the head due to itchy ears
- Swollen face and paws
- Regular rubbing against surfaces
- Open wounds
- Watery eyes
These are the physical signs that can alert you to possible skin allergies. These symptoms are often accompanied by behavioural issues. Researchers have found that the severity of atopic dermatitis in dogs was directly connected to persistent problematic behaviours.
Behavioural indicators of skin allergies in dogs include:
- excessive mounting
- chewing
- hyperactivity, excitability and/or attention seeking
- eating feces
- begging / stealing food
- excessive grooming
The study concludes that some – or all – of these factors suggest an association between the severity of the itching and psychological stress in dogs suffering from this condition. If your dog shows any of these irregular behaviours, they’re likely to have some type of skin issue and an appointment with our animal hospital should be booked immediately.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON AREAS WHERE SKIN ALLERGIES OCCUR IN DOGS?
- Ears
- Underbelly
- Armpits
- Groin
- Base of the tail
- Around the eyes
- Paws
- Muzzle
So, pretty much everywhere. Early-stage Atopic Dermatitis may be quite mild and not obvious. However, as the disease develops, the signs will become more visible.
HOW IS ATOPIC DERMATITIS DIAGNOSED IN MY DOG?
Diagnosing environmental allergies in dogs can be performed using two techniques: serologic (blood) testing or intradermal skin testing.
- Serologic testing: requires drawing a single blood sample to test a dog’s response to environmental allergens. The blood sample is then submitted to a laboratory for analysis.
- Intradermal skin testing: A highly specialized and complex process, intradermal testing is this “gold standard” for diagnosing environmental allergies It involves injecting a small amount of a pure allergen under the skin and measuring the allergic response.
TREATMENT FOR ATOPIC DERMATITIS IN DOGS
One of the first steps is eliminating or reducing exposure to the environmental allergens causing the skin allergy. If you can’t identify the specific irritant, use a process of elimination by removing the environmental factors that have the potential to trigger an outbreak.
However, with environmental allergies it may not be possible to avoid the allergen entirely. If your dog suffers from indoor or outdoor allergies, our veterinarians can prescribe an allergy relief medication to help relieve symptoms.
1. Allergen Control
One of the most common causes of Atopic Dermatitis are environmental allergens from dust mites and pollens. Dust mites in the home are the most common allergens in dogs. Fleas, grasses and mold are also sources, but tend to play lesser roles.
5 pet-friendly tactics you can use to reduce exposure to allergens in your home:
- Keep windows closed and use air conditioning: this keeps pollen or outdoor molds from entering your home.
- Get an air purifier (with HEPA filter): by eliminating allergens, you – and your pet – can enjoy cleaner air.
- Dehumidifiers: for basements or other damp areas of your home where mold may accumulate.
- Frequent pet mattress washing and vacuuming.
- Regular baths with medicated or prescription-strength shampoo: improve your pet’s comfort level and help skin infections heal quicker.
2. Medications
Our veterinarians may also recommend medications to help reduce symptoms. A variety of anti-allergy drugs are available, but some dogs develop side-effects from taking certain anti-itch medications. This may come in the form of a daily pill or a periodic injection depending on what our vets determine will have the best chance of success.
The downside?
Different anti-allergy medications may need to be tried because not every medication works in all dogs. Some dogs don’t respond to medications, or respond at the beginning of treatment, but may see its effectiveness decrease over time.
3. Allergen Immunotherapy
The primary treatment for environment-induced Atopic Dermatitis is allergen immunotherapy, also known as desensitization or hypersensitization. It consists of a series of shots that slowly increase the quantities of relevant allergens. This is done until tolerance to the allergen is established and relapses of clinical signs are stopped. Once treatment begins, frequent visits to the vet are needed to determine how well your dog is responding.
This time-tested treatment can lessen the symptoms, especially when treatment is administered when dogs are younger. Results take time – it may be months before results are noticeable.
Because of the chronic nature of Atopic Dermatitis, our goal is to have the fewest number of side effects from treatment and still allow your dog to live its best life.
IS THERE A CURE FOR ATOPIC DERMATITIS?
Atopic dermatitis seldom goes into remission or resolves on its own. It requires ongoing treatment.
Once the treatment options have started – and your dog’s itching is under control – a regular checkup at our clinic every is recommended every 4 to 12 months, depending on the severity.
This will help determine the effectiveness of the treatment and to check for any adverse drug interactions.
Pet parents should always stay attentive to their dog’s behaviour and ensure that they seek treatment at the first sign of skin allergy symptoms. If unaddressed, skin allergies can affect your dog’s temperament – constant itching can lead to frustration and ultimately, negative behavioural issues.
CONCLUSION
Successful management of Atopic Dermatitis is often complicated and sometimes frustrating. Because multiple treatments may be required in severe cases to control an allergic outbreak, a multi-modal, measured approach is necessary. Correct diagnosis’s by our veterinarians and a pet parents’ commitment to follow-up care is critical to boost the chances of controlling a chronically, skin-allergic canine.