Dogs have many different skin problems (allergies are just one), but the most common and debilitating is an allergic reaction that causes extreme itching and discomfort for the dog.
The first step in treating your dog’s skin allergies is to determine if they are caused by their diet (food) or environment (pollen, etc.), which is best done by your veterinarian based on observations you make about your dog’s behavior, eating habits, and where they spend most of their time.
Accurately identifying whether your dog has a food allergy or an environmental allergy will help guide treatment to restore your dog’s comfort as quickly as possible.
Common Signs of Skin Allergies in Dogs:
Skin irritation is present in all forms of skin allergies; however, the presence of specific patterns may be apparent with some observation. Most commonly, chronic itching leads to the development of “hot spots”, hair loss and infections in the ears or paws.
- Both food and environmental allergies exhibit: persistent scratching; paw licking; red skin; ear infections; and watery eyes.
- Food allergy symptoms include: constant symptoms throughout the year, along with vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and primarily found on the face, ears, and feet.
- Environmental allergy symptoms include: symptoms worsen during the spring and fall months; redness of the eyes; sneezing; and chewing at paws after spending time outdoors.
A good way to document these trends early is by keeping a journal to log when your dog eats, goes for walks/outings, and what the weather was like.
Key Differences Between Food and Environmental Allergies
Dogs develop an allergy to foods (like beef, chicken, dairy, etc.) when they are continually exposed to their protein content. Approximately 1-2 percent of the dog population has a food allergy, most by the time they reach age one.
Environmental allergies (pollen, dust mites, etc.) are much more prevalent than food allergies. They usually begin in puppies over six months of age, and are, absorbed through the skin. Environmental allergies will flare during certain times of the year and will be accompanied by more respiratory symptoms than gastrointestinal or skin symptoms.
Food allergic reactions create constant gastrointestinal and skin problems, whereas environmental allergic reactions can cause seasonal symptoms that can be, associated with respiratory symptoms.
Dogs such as Labradors, bulldogs and terriers are more susceptible to developing allergies and in both cases there may be specific areas on the body where the allergies may be causing more irritation – ears for food, paws for environmental allergies.
How Veterinarians Differentiate the Two
Veterinarians start off with a complete history of the animal’s diet, timeline, and exposures; this will help lead to identifying patterns during examination (e.g., ear dominance is, often seen when feeding is involved).
The foundation for diagnosing food allergies is conducting an 8-12 week elimination diet trial using novel protein sources such as rabbit or venison combined with simple carbohydrates while eliminating all treats and flavored medications.
If symptoms are, relieved after the trial and suspect foods are, reintroduced one at a time, it indicates that the food is causing the symptoms. If there are, concerns about the environment, veterinarians use intradermal skin testing or blood panels after the food has been excluded from the animal’s diet, then map out specific allergens to create a customized plan.
When to see a veterinarian?
Do not wait until itching persists over two weeks, skin begins to weep, odors appear, and infections continue to occur – early intervention can prevent further damage to the skin (thickening of the skin, lichenification) and prevent systemic involvement. Oatmeal baths provide temporary soothing effects for itchiness but do not identify underlying causes of the itching.
To obtain professional care, contact a “vet in Dubai” such as Modern Vet. According to Dr Sarah, Veterinarian at Modern Vet, “Allergy diagnosis, through elimination diets, changes lives – our structured trials quickly determine what the trigger(s) are.” Contact them today to develop your customized plan.
Testing and Treatment Options
After an allergic reaction has occurred, the allergy can be, removed by the use of a lifetime prescription diet of either hydrolyzed or limited ingredient foods. This limits the amount of proteins which cause a dog’s immune system to react to the proteins.
Environmental control measures are, also employed as treatments including the use of antihistamines (oral or topical) and injections of medications such as Apoquel or Cytopoint to decrease itching. Additionally, medicated shampoos and subcutaneous allergen specific immunotherapies are, administered to gradually build up the dog’s tolerance to the allergen(s).
Additionally, there are many ways to aid a dog’s day-to-day life while managing allergies:
- Damp cloth wipe down of a dog’s paws and belly after walks or time outdoors to eliminate any potential allergens.
- A bath once per week using hypoallergenic or chlorhexidine shampoos.
- HEPA air purifiers are, installed throughout the home; washing of bed linens in hot water at least once per week; and frequent vacuuming.
- Administering Omega-3 fatty acids and probiotic supplements to enhance skin integrity and reduce flare ups.
Prevention and Long-term Management
Use of omega-3 fatty acid supplements and probiotics will help promote healthy skin and provide a reduced risk of flare ups. In addition, identifying common food allergens in high-risk breeds can help prevent future reactions.
Conclusion
Regular veterinary check-ups will enable identification of other allergies your dog may have and allow you to adjust your treatment plan accordingly to ensure long term relief.
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