Reviewed and updated for accuracy on February 13, 2020 by Dr. Hanie Elfenbein, DVM, PhD Show
Dog allergies are often caused by the allergens found in pollen, animal dander, plants, and insects, but dogs can also be allergic to food and medication as well. These allergies can cause symptoms such as excessive itching, scratching, and grooming; rashes; sneezing; watery eyes; paw chewing; and skin inflammation. When allergies cause skin disease, the condition is called atopic dermatitis (meaning itchy skin and inflammation). Here’s everything you need to know about atopic dermatitis in dogs. What Is Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs?Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory, chronic skin disease associated with allergies. In fact, this is the second most common allergic skin disease in dogs, after flea allergy dermatitis. Causes of Dog DermatitisThese allergic reactions can be brought on by normally harmless substances like grass, mold spores, house dust mites, and other environmental allergens. At What Age Can Dogs Get Dermatitis?Dogs normally show signs of the disease between 1-6 years of age, though atopic dermatitis can be so mild the first year that it doesn’t become noticeable or consistent for several years. Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis in DogsSymptoms associated with atopic dermatitis often get worse with time, though they may also be seasonal. These are the most commonly affected areas in dogs:
The symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis include:
What Causes Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs?Some breeds are more likely to develop allergies, including Golden Retrievers, Poodles (and hybrids), Shih Tzus, Cocker Spaniels, and Bulldogs. However, any dog can develop allergies. While there’s no way to prevent your dog from developing allergies, there are several excellent treatment options available. Can Dogs Get Tested for Allergies?Prior to any treatment, your veterinarian will need a complete medical history to determine the pattern of your dog's allergies. Some allergies are seasonal, such as mold, while others are year-round. A complete physical examination is important in determining the best types of treatment. Your veterinarian will want to perform tests on skin samples from the affected areas. Serologic allergy testing may be performed, which looks for antibodies in the blood, but the results are not always reliable. The quality of this kind of testing often depends on the laboratory that analyzes the results. Intradermal testing may also be used to identify the cause of your pet's allergic reaction. This is where small amounts of test allergens are injected into the skin and wheal (a red bump) response is measured. Since these types of tests are very expensive, your veterinarian may recommend treatment instead of advanced allergy testing. Treatment for Atopic Dermatitis in DogsThe treatment will depend on what is causing your pet’s allergic reaction. If the reaction is due to atopy, a genetic disposition to an allergic reaction, for example, hyposensitization therapy can be performed. Your veterinarian will give your pet injections of the allergens to which they are sensitive. This decreases itchiness in 60-80% of dogs, but may approximately take 6 months to a year to see an improvement. Your veterinarian might recommend immunomodulatory medications. These are available either as a daily pill (Apoquel) or an injection given every 4-10 weeks (Cytopoint). Along with these, antibiotics or antifungal medicines are often required to treat the skin infections that result from allergies. Additionally, regular bathing with medicated or prescription-strength shampoo can greatly improve your pet's comfort and help skin infections resolve faster. Shampoo and other topical treatments can also be used as maintenance therapy to reduce the risk or severity of future skin infections. Does Atopic Dermatitis Go Away?Unfortunately, atopic dermatitis only rarely goes into remission or spontaneously resolves. Once treatment has begun, your veterinarian must see your dog every 2-8 weeks to ascertain the effectiveness of the treatment and to check for drug interactions. Then, as your pet's itching becomes more controlled, they will need to be brought into the veterinarian's office every 3-12 months for checkups. It’s very important to stay vigilant and make sure your dog gets treatment at the first sign of an itch. If left untreated, allergies can change a dog’s personality—the constant itch and frustration can lead dogs to shy away from people or be aggressive when touched. This is especially true for dogs with ear infections as part of their allergy symptoms. Chronic ear infections can also lead to deafness. If your veterinarian should find the trigger for your pet's allergies, he or she will advise you as to how to best avoid those type of allergens. Featured Image: iStock.com/MRBIG_PHOTOGRAPHY
Allergies are the worst! The sniffling, the sneezing, the stuffy nose...But unlike your allergies, your dog doesn't usually have the same symptoms you do. Often, when a dog suffers from allergies, his skin reacts to surrounding allergens by becoming itchy and inflamed. And this reaction can cause a host of other issues for your pup. What Are Canine Skin Allergies?The most common canine skin allergy is allergic dermatitis or atopic dermatitis—atopy for short. Allergic dermatitis is an inflammatory, persistent skin condition that occurs when a dog's immune system overreacts to a particular allergen. Allergens can be anything from plant pollen to mold spores to food to pests. While allergies in humans often present as nasal symptoms and hives, dogs tend to react with skin irritation and even gastrointestinal problems. Interestingly, many dogs that suffer from skin allergies have an inherited predisposition for developing them. Often, dogs begin showing signs of skin allergies before age 7, but that's not a hard and fast rule. Just like humans, dogs can develop skin allergies at any age. In fact, many allergies actually worsen as a dog ages.1 What Dog Breeds are Prone to Canine Skin Allergies?Not all dog breeds are prone to developing skin allergies. A few breeds more susceptible to skin allergies include Beagles, Bulldogs, Dalmatians, English and Irish Setters, Golden Retrievers, Labradoodles and Goldendoodles, Labrador Retrievers, Lhasa Apsos, Miniature Schnauzers, most terriers, Old English Sheepdogs and Pugs. This list is by no means exhaustive, and it doesn't guarantee that any breed listed will or will not develop skin allergies. It's simply a list of dogs that are pre-disposed to atopic dermatitis. What Are the Most Common Canine Allergies?There are three leading causes for skin allergies in dogs:
What are Common Symptoms of Canine Skin Allergies?How do you know what to look for if you think your pup has allergies? Common symptoms include:
How Do You Treat Canine Skin Allergies?To help your dog feel better, you'll want to uncover the initial cause of the allergic reaction. For example, while topical anti-itching creams may offer some relief from red and irritated areas, it's not a long-term fix. Maintaining a dog's healthy skin requires avoiding irritating allergens altogether. Food AllergiesFood allergies can be a little difficult to unravel. The best course of action is to eliminate foods or change dog food to see what triggers an allergic response. Keep in mind that even high-quality dog food can contain ingredients that trigger an allergic reaction in your dog.3 Before you start your pup on an elimination diet, chat with your vet. You want to make sure your pup maintains its nutritional needs while you're on the path to discovery. Environmental AllergiesWhile easier to discover, environmental allergies can be more challenging to avoid. For example, if your dog is allergic to pollen and you live in the country, there may be too many triggers to avoid altogether. Discuss a treatment plan with your family vet to bring your pup relief. Your veterinarian may suggest antihistamines or other proven methods of dealing with environmental allergens. Flea AllergiesDealing with flea allergies concentrates more on preventative measures than relief. Flea and tick prevention is paramount because the most effective way to treat an allergy is to avoid the allergen. For example, Adams Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs & Puppies kills adult fleas and ticks and even repels mosquitoes*. These tiny pests cause a lot of damage to a dog's skin, so it's imperative to be proactive. In addition, Adams Plus Flea & Tick Prevention Spot On for Dogs is another option to keep tiny pests at bay. Flea prevention isn't just about guarding your dog. It's also vitally important to protect your home and yard against insects that prey on your beloved pup. Adams Flea & Tick Home Spray is essential in killing adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, bed bugs, mosquitoes and other annoying pests. This spray is convenient because it's effective on pretty much anything your pup touches: bedding, upholstery, carpets and more. In addition, Adams Yard & Garden Spray can help eradicate over 60 kinds of insects. That's prevention on steroids! The upside to pest prevention is that it protects the entire family—not just your precious pup. Can you test for canine allergies?You don't have to guess what your pup may be allergic to. Allergy testing is available for pets. However, it's just as complicated and expensive for pets as it is for humans. If you've ever subjected yourself to allergy testing, you know it's not a walk in the park, and thus it may not be the best option for your favorite furry friend. While seasonal and environmental allergy tests are easily accessible, they're not always accurate. In fact, some studies have shown that blood and skin testing for food allergies isn't consistently accurate in dogs. Therefore, it's essential to discuss your options with your vet. They're up-to-date on what's available and effective in helping discover the allergen that's affecting your dog. How can I help my dog right now?If you want to give your little tail-wagger some much-needed relief, consider giving him a good grooming session and a bath designed to soothe the skin.4 A thorough brushing will help remove unwanted dander and dandruff—which helps remove any allergens attached to your pup's fur. For bathtime, be sure to select a shampoo that will keep unwanted pests away as well as soothe your pup's irritated skin. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor is a noteworthy option because it's enriched with soothing aloe, oatmeal, coconut extract and lanolin. As a pet parent, it's up to you to prevent harm when possible, so preventative measures are paramount.5 Control and prevent what you can, and remember that canine skin allergies are extremely common. Obviously, you can't bubble-wrap your furry friend, but you can take steps to keep him happy and healthy by removing potential allergens where possible. Managing a dog with skin allergies can be involved and even frustrating for both you and your pup. But remember in most cases, allergic dermatitis can be controlled with a proper diagnosis. So, consult your vet and find a treatment plan that works best. *excludes California.
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