Causes of allergies in dogs

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Allergy in dogs is manifested by rather unpleasant symptoms and there can be many reasons for the occurrence of this condition. The timely determination of the allergen and timely therapy will help the animal avoid the severe consequences of the disease.

Allergy Definition

Allergy is the reaction of the body to the ingestion of a certain substance, the presence of which causes irritation and rejection through a number of symptoms. It can also be immune reactions occurring in organisms with altered and high sensitivity. When exposed to substances called allergens, the oversensitive immune system tries to defend itself and fights by producing class E antibodies to do so.

The norm of the content of such antibodies in the body is negligible (it is only 0.03%). And as soon as this figure begins to grow, the altered reaction of the defense system turns into an allergic one. Such a pathology can be inherited or it is acquired. Allergies are more common in dogs with impaired immune systems. In addition, organisms with increased permeability of blood vessels, skin and tissues of the respiratory and digestive systems are distinguished by altered reactions.

Causes of occurrence

Allergy in dogs, like the same disease in humans, has not been fully investigated. The exact causes of its occurrence are also unknown. However, scientists have identified some factors that provoke the appearance of allergic reactions. Among them:

Hereditary predisposition to disease. It often happens that belonging to a certain breed can cause hypersensitivity to certain allergens

For example, Yorkshire Terriers are prone to allergies to dog food and often suffer from reactions to certain types of animal proteins. The most common chicken sensitivity in this breed.

Chinese crested dogs often suffer from allergic reactions to ultraviolet rays, so their owners are advised to cover the delicate skin of these animals with special clothing or apply sunscreen. Dog breeds such as dachshunds, sharpei, various boules (pit bull, bull terrier, Staffordshire terrier, bulldog, etc.), Labradors and Dalmatians are also located for allergies.

• Prolonged stress in dogs can also result in allergic reactions.
• Various parasites and their waste products. For example, if worms in dogs are not treated, the animal's body may react to the introduction with allergic manifestations.
• Infectiousdiseases, whether acute or chronic.

When an allergen enters the body, its immune system produces special antibodies that react only to certain types of antigens. If the penetration of antigens into systems and organs occurs regularly, then the antibodies that are activated in the body are combined into immune complexes. They are fixed in cells that contain substances responsible for inflammatory processes at the moments of allergic reactions (for example, histamine).

Biologically active substances of the immune system, called mediators, are activated, and these components are released into the blood, which are carried throughout the body. In the places of their penetration, inflammation develops, which manifest themselves as swelling, redness, rashes, intestinal and bronchopulmonary spasms. Some of the allergens can change their own structure. Then they are perceived by the immune system as abnormal components, after which the production of white blood cells and lymphocytes occurs.

Reaction to external factors

Environmental allergies in dogs, like humans, are very common. The causative agents here can be:

• pollen;
• mold and other fungi;
• dust mites;
• some natural fabrics.

The list goes on and on. In the event that in the room where the dog is kept, the presence of an allergen is constant (for example, dust or mold), then you will not envy the poor animal. However, exposure to pollen, for example, is seasonal.

There are two types of environmental allergies, atopy and contact allergies. The first is a genetic predisposition to reactions to external stimuli. Seasonal atopic dermatitis is its main variety and manifests itself in the form of dandruff and excessive dryness of the skin.

Second - contact allergy occurs when the animal comes into direct contact with an object that contains the allergen. In this case, the stomach, paws and muzzle, which most often touch such objects, suffer more often.

Therapy for this type of allergy begins with the identification of the allergenic agent and its further elimination. In addition, you must follow some rules for keeping an allergic dog in the house:

• provide frequent ventilation of the room, protect your pet from exposure to tobacco smoke and household chemicals;
• if allergic to pollen is detected, then do not walk the dog in places where plants bloom;
• Vaccinations and antibiotics should be used only when absolutely necessary, as these drugs inhibit the intestinal flora, which aggravates exposure to allergens;
• be sure to wash your dog's paws after each walk, because it is on the paws and shoes that allergens enter the house where the animal is kept.

Scientists from the University of Helsinki, in particular researcher Jenny Lehtimäki, have found that dogs that live in an urban environment are more prone to allergies than their counterparts from the countrysideterrain. Among urban dogs, 31% of allergic people were identified, versus 8% among their rural relatives.

Scientists believe that dogs should be in constant interaction with natural microbes. Keeping outdoors, frequent walks and being surrounded by farm animals have a beneficial effect on the he alth of village dogs. From all of the above, we can conclude that it is necessary to protect a pet suffering from allergies as much as possible from the effects of substances that cause it.

Reaction to parasites

Allergy in dogs to parasites is also quite common. Basically, the allergen here is the substances contained in the saliva of insects. The main symptoms are irritation and itching, which are accompanied by dog anxiety, biting the hair in the affected areas, and scratching. With this type of allergy, a couple of parasitic insects are enough to provoke the onset of symptoms that can persist for a long time even after the death of the allergen carrier (fleas, ticks, etc.).

Therapy is as follows:

• parasite elimination;
• frequent combing of wool, which will help to cleanse it of dust, dirt and waste products of parasitic organisms;
• frequent bathing during flea treatment with special shampoos;
• removal of parasites from places of detention: beds, aviaries, booths;
• application of preventive measures: anti-flea collars, worming, drops on the withers from ticks and fleas.

Allergic reactions to medications

It happens that a dog needs medical treatment. In this case, the underlying disease can be cured, but against the background of taking medications, side effects occur, among which allergic reactions to the components of the medicines also occur. Most often, drug allergies occur when taking antibiotics, sulfonamides, serum and vaccines, B vitamins, chloral hydrate, digitalis, quinine, morphine, barbiturates.

Often, signs of this type of allergy are observed with repeated intake of allergen drugs. As with other forms, with drug allergies, skin itching and rashes, and digestive disorders are observed. In severe cases, there is swelling of the mucous membranes, larynx and tongue, as well as signs of suffocation.

Allergy to household chemicals

Reactions to household chemicals are less common. A dog may show allergy symptoms after washing its bed or clothes with some kind of powder, after washing the floor with a new product, etc. The smell of some household chemicals can cause the animal to sneeze and cough, swelling of the eyes and mucous membranes. And external contact with the components of these products causes itching, irritation, rashes, dermatitis and eczema.

Food allergy

A food allergy in dogs is an immune system reaction to a certain type of protein that the animal receives from food. This type of disease can be triggered by any food component. Chicken allergies are the most common in dogs. Along with this, the most allergenic foods are: pork,beef, dairy, eggs, yeast products, red fruits and vegetables, seafood, soy, corn, wheat.

Often, allergic reactions also appear on dog treats that contain artificial flavors and dyes. Food allergy in dogs is most often manifested by indigestion, whether it is diarrhea or vomiting. Along with this, the following symptoms are observed:

• Skin hyperemia and itching - the dog combs his ears, licks himself, gnaws his fur, rubs his sides against the walls.
• There is patchy hair loss before the formation of bald spots.
• The skin is covered with rashes, sores, seals.
• Eyes become inflamed, redden, tearing increases and muddy mucus in the corners.
• The dog may often sneeze and cough, his nose runs.
• Wheezing and difficult breathing - observed with asthmatic manifestations.
• Wet armpits, this causes wet spots on the couch, despite the fact that the dog cannot sweat naturally, which means that he has got weeping eczema.
• Ears become inflamed, the animal often shakes them.

In case of food allergies in dogs (photos of a sick animal show the severity of the disease), the veterinarian prescribes a change in diet, a special diet, the introduction of drugs that accelerate the elimination of the allergen from the body and strengthen the immune system.

Before visiting the clinic, the owner can give the dog a cleansing enema and give it activated charcoal as an absorbent, either Smecta or"Enterogel". If the symptoms threaten the life of the animal, then they are removed with the help of droppers and injections. Almost all dog food manufacturers produce special hypoallergenic products, as more and more animals suffer from this pathology.

Common symptoms for all types of allergies

Allergy in dogs (photos of the manifestations of the disease in a sick animal can be found in specialized publications) can manifest itself in different ways, but basically its symptoms are as follows:

• skin redness;
• flaking;
• rash that usually appears around the anus, on the face, armpits and abdomen;
• teary;
• itch;
• wool loss;
• digestive disorders;
• swelling of paws and muzzle;
• bronchial spasm.

The positive outcome of the disease will undoubtedly be affected by the correct diagnosis of dog allergy symptoms and the treatment applied after diagnosis, based on detailed studies.

Treatment

The treatment of allergies in dogs is based on the same principles as in humans:

• Eliminating contact with the allergen.
• Prescribing antihistamines for dog allergies.
• Increase immunity.

Before you wonder how to treat allergies in dogs, you need to conduct a high-quality diagnosis that will accurately determine the type of allergen. A hypoallergenic diet with a certain food group is required.

If the pathology is accompanied by scratching and dermatitis, then ointments and emulsions with anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects are used. And in case of secondary infection, antibiotics are prescribed. If one of the symptoms is conjunctivitis, then it is necessary to wash the eyes and apply allergy eye drops.

At home, when symptoms appear, you can give "Tavegil" or "Suprastin" to the dog for allergies in tablets, while observing the dosage by weight. However, in more severe cases, when angioedema, convulsions, shortness of breath and suffocation are observed, it is better to immediately take the animal to the clinic. If this is not possible, then antihistamines and antishock drugs must be administered in liquid form intramuscularly or intravenously.

Allergic pet owners are generally aware of the characteristics of their pets, so the question of what to give a dog for allergies is not so acute for them. First aid kits for such pets should always contain antihistamines, both in ampoules and in tablets.

Prevention

In order not to endanger the he alth of your beloved dog, it is better to follow some preventive measures to prevent allergic manifestations. Moreover, it is impossible to completely cure an animal of an allergy, but any owner is quite capable of limiting contact with allergens.

So, prevention measures:

• Do not feed the animal with known allergenic foods and feeds.
• Periodicallygive antihelminthic drugs.
• Increase immunity with omega acids.
• Timely cleanse the intestines of toxins with probiotics that restore microflora.
• Use only hypoallergenic cosmetics for hygiene procedures for animals.
• Keep household chemicals out of reach and avoid using overly scented products.
• Do not neglect walks, active games, natural food and high-class feed.
• Give your dog fresh and clean water to drink.

Don't neglect your pet's he alth. Timely contacting a veterinary clinic at the first symptoms of a disease in a dog will help to avoid more serious problems in the future.