Key Takeaways
A dog's allergies can come from the environment, food, and fleas.
While it's a lifelong condition, it can be effectively managed to prevent flare-ups.
Regular bathing, home cleaning, skin supplements, and flea treatments are effective preventive measures.
Summary
Allergies in dogs occur when their immune system overreacts to a specific substance, releasing histamines that cause a reaction. Many of these substances can be harmless in nature, and you'll never know they are allergic to them until exposed.
Normally, the immune system helps fight off harmful pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
But in an allergic reaction, the immune system perceives other harmless substances as equally dangerous, even though they are not. As a result, the body produces antibodies that bind to mast cells, which are cells involved in allergic reactions.
These reactions can also appear out of nowhere, even in allergens your dog wasn't initially allergic to. In many cases, skin reactions are the most common symptoms dogs experience when they encounter a trigger.
In Dubai, pet allergies are common among dogs. The combination of the hot desert climate, high humidity levels, and airborne dust can frequently trigger allergies.
Allergy Symptoms in Dogs
Itchy Skin and Intense Itching. Affected dogs may rub their bodies against furniture or scratch with their paws. This is commonly seen on the face, sides, and ears.
Licking or Chewing. Aside from scratching, a dog with allergies tends to lick or chew at the affected areas. These are common on paws, lower belly, inner thighs, and groin.
Redness and Swelling. These can come from allergic reactions to food or flea saliva.
Hair Loss and Bald Patches. These can occur as a result of the persistent scratching, licking, or chewing.
Recurrent Infections. Allergies can cause both ear infections and yeast infections long-term.
Hot Spots. These are red, oozing, and painful sores that are caused by too much chewing or scratching. Hot spots feel moist and may have an unpleasant odor.
Gastrointestinal Discomfort. Vomiting, chronic diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain are common symptoms of food allergens.
Respiratory Symptoms. In some cases, dogs may experience sneezing, nasal congestion, a runny nose, and coughing.
Skin Odor and Discharge. Skin affected by secondary infections can smell foul due to bacterial or fungal growth. These may also present with discharge.
Common Causes
Allergic reactions can be caused by environmental allergens, fleas, and food.
Environmental Allergies
Environmental allergies, also known as atopic dermatitis, happen when dogs inhale irritants or absorb the allergens through their skin. Common triggers include dirt, dust mites, and pollen. These allergens are a year-round problem for many dogs in Dubai, especially due to its sandy environment.
Another common cause of atopic dermatitis is mold spores, which can accumulate in air conditioning systems. Considering that homes in the city utilize AC to combat the extreme heat, allergies from mold spores and accumulated dust in filters are a widespread concern.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Another common cause of allergies in dogs is flea allergy dermatitis. Flea allergies can occur year-round in Dubai because they thrive in the region's warm climate. These pests can easily enter homes and live in dog parks, gardens, and yards.
Even a single flea bite can trigger a hypersensitive reaction to the proteins found in the flea's saliva.
Food Allergies
Dog food allergies can occur when the immune system mistakenly overreacts to a specific ingredient, usually a protein. Dogs can have specific reactions to certain foods, and these reactions can vary widely. Some examples include chicken, beef, milk, cheese, eggs, and soy.
Affected dogs may experience gastrointestinal issues as well as skin symptoms.
Contact Allergies
Contact allergies occur when a dog's skin comes into direct contact with a specific substance. Because of the nature of the reaction, the symptoms are highly localized to the parts of the body that touch the offending object.
Common examples include grass, wool, synthetic fibers, detergent, bleach, plastics, and topical products.
Dogs Prone to Allergies
Some dogs have genetic traits that make them more susceptible to allergies. These include:
Golden Retrievers. Golden Retrievers have thick coats and skin folds that can easily trap debris and moisture, making them prone to skin allergies and infections.
Pugs. Due to their characteristic facial wrinkles, Pugs also have an increased risk of allergies. Their skin folds also make them prone to skin fold dermatitis.
Shih Tzus. Along with a genetic predisposition, the Shih Tzu's beautiful coat easily traps common allergens.
German Shepherds. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to skin allergies such as canine atopic dermatitis.
Labrador Retrievers. Labradors tend to produce more antibodies that trigger the release of histamines, resulting in a susceptibility to skin allergies.
Bichon Frisé. These dogs have a delicate skin barrier, making them prone to this skin condition.
Cocker Spaniels. Cocker Spaniels are another breed prone to skin allergies due to their double coat and floppy ears.
Bulldogs. Both English and French Bulldogs carry an increased risk due to their prominent skin folds.
Diagnosing Allergies
We focus on elimination. Our team will first examine your dog's body and rule out parasites and infections.
Flea Comb Test. Our vets use a fine-toothed comb around the areas fleas are common. This checks for fleas and flea dirt.
Skin Scraping. A dull scalpel blade will gently scrape the skin to obtain a sample. This will be examined under a microscope to detect mites.
Cytology. A test that involves the microscopic examination of the animal's skin cells, debris, or fluid to detect infections.
Intradermal Skin Testing. This method of allergy testing involves injecting a small amount of the allergen into the dog's skin to check for any reactions.
Serum Testing. A blood sample is analyzed for allergen-specific antibodies, specifically IgE. However, blood tests are unreliable for diagnosing dog allergies.
Elimination Diet Trial. A strict trial for 8-12 weeks with a hydrolyzed or novel protein diet. Old food is introduced after symptoms disappear to confirm the allergy.
Treatment
Most dogs with allergies improve with a treatment plan of medication, trigger avoidance, and lifestyle changes.
Medications can help relieve your dog's symptoms. Antihistamines essentially block histamine, reducing symptoms and the allergic response. Corticosteroids also suppress the immune system, reducing inflammation and other associated symptoms.
Anti-itch medications may also be used for short-term relief.
If secondary skin infections are present, we may recommend antibiotics or antifungal medications. These can be in the form of topical therapies, oral medications, and medicated shampoos. Flea allergy dermatitis requires strict flea control for treatment.
For atopic dermatitis, immunotherapy can also be recommended as a treatment option. These allergy shots gradually desensitizes the immune system and helps build tolerance to the specific allergen.
An elimination diet trial, the same method for diagnosing food allergies, will be used for treatment as well.
Preventive Tips
Reducing your dog's exposure is already an effective management technique. Wipe their paws and fur, especially after outdoor play. Bathe your dog every 1-3 months, or as needed. This can remove dirt, debris, and other allergens that get stuck on paws and fur.
Keeping a clean home also helps your dog recover by reducing direct contact with allergens and limiting airborne allergens. Wash bedding and blankets regularly. Air purifiers and humidifiers are helpful as well. We recommend cleaning your AC unit's air filters every 2-4 weeks.
Some natural treatments, such as omega-3 fatty acid supplements like fish oil, coconut oil, and oatmeal products, can soothe irritated skin and support skin health.
We also recommend scheduling regular flea treatments to prevent parasites from causing skin infections and allergies in your dog. Along with this, we can perform wellness exams to address issues before they worsen.
“Healthy skin is your dog's first line of defense. When it thrives, your dog does too.”
- Dr. Paulina Czerska
Frequently Asked Questions
What to feed a dog with allergies?
Generally, when food-related dog skin allergies are suspected, a vet-guided diet change is a better first step than defaulting to boiled chicken and rice. We can recommend a prescription diet, hydrolyzed protein diet, and novel protein diet.
When should I see a vet?
If you notice severe or persistent signs. Common examples include facial swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, open sores, and severe gastrointestinal distress.
How long do allergies last?
When dogs are allergic to a substance, this is a lifelong condition. Symptoms may improve after the allergen is removed, usually in a few hours to a few days. However, the symptoms will return upon re-exposure.
Can stress contribute?
Yes, stress hormones can disrupt the immune system and weaken the skin barrier, making dogs vulnerable to allergic reactions.
What happens if allergies are left untreated?
This can lead to severe skin damage, recurring bacterial or yeast infections, and long-term health problems. Dogs may also experience constant suffering and discomfort.
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