The FACs of Dog Allergies By Dr. Clayton Barton, DVM, Washington Family Veterinary Clinic
This winter has felt more like spring! Here is southern Utah, weeds and grass are popping up everywhere. I’m afraid it’s going to be a long allergy season this year, not just for us humans but also for our dogs. “You mean, dogs can get allergies, too?” you might ask. Unfortunately, allergies are very common in dogs of all breeds and backgrounds.
Atopy
About the Author Dr. Barton attended Southern Utah University, majoring in zoology with a minor in chemistry. In 1998, he was accepted into the Veterinary Training Program at Mississippi State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 2002.
How do I know if my dog has allergies?
Atopy in dogs is also known as inhalant allergy. The main inhalant allergens are tree pollens, grass pollens, weed pollens, molds, mildew, and house dust mites. Many of these occur seasonally, such as ragweed, cedar, and grass pollen. Others, such as molds, mildew, and house dust mites, occur year round. When humans inhale these allergens, the allergy manifests mainly with respiratory signs, but in most dogs, the allergy manifests mainly with itchy skin (pruritus). The dog may rub its face, lick its feet, and scratch the underarms. Most dogs start showing signs between one and three years of age, and affected dogs will often react to several allergens.
The three most common types of dog allergies in southern Utah are F–A–C: food allergy, atopy or inhaled allergy, and contact allergy.
Contact Allergy
With dogs, the most common symptom associated with allergies is itching of the skin, either localized or general. In some cases, the symptoms involve the respiratory system, with coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be runny discharge from eyes or nose. In other cases, the symptoms affect the digestive system, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.
Food Allergy
Food allergy or food hypersensitivity can develop to almost any protein or carbohydrate component of food. It most commonly develops in response to protein of the food of a particular food origin; dairy products, beef, wheat gluten, chicken, chicken eggs, lamb, and soy are commonly associated with food allergies in dogs. Food allergy can develop at almost any age and may produce clinical signs, including itching, digestive disorders, and respiratory distress.
For more information about pet allergies or to make an appointment for your pet, call Washington Family Veterinary Clinic at 435-627-1300.
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Contact allergy is the least common type of allergy in dogs. It results from direct contact to allergens found in flea collars, pesticides, grasses, or materials like wool or synthetics used in carpets or bedding. If the dog is allergic to these, there will be skin irritation and itching at the points of contact, usually the feet and stomach. Identification and removal of the allergen often solves the problem. It is also important to remember that a dog may have multiple types of allergies, such as both food allergy and atopy. If you believe that your dog (or other pet) may have allergies, make an appointment with your veterinarian today.
