Allergies in dogs are manifested by rather unpleasant symptoms and there can be many reasons for this condition to occur. Timely determination of the allergen and timely initiation of therapy will help the animal avoid the serious consequences of the disease.
Allergy Definition
Allergy is a 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 that occur in organisms with altered and high sensitivity. In the process of exposure to substances called allergens, the immune system, which has excessive sensitivity, tries to defend itself and fights, producing class E antibodies for this.
The norm of such antibodies in the body is negligible (it is only 0.03%). And as soon as this indicator begins to grow, the altered reaction of the protective system turns into an allergic one. Such a pathology can be inherited or is acquired in nature. In dogs with impaired immune systems, allergies are most common. In addition, organisms with increased permeability of blood vessels, skin and tissues of the respiratory system and digestive system are distinguished by altered reactions.
Causes of occurrence
Allergies in dogs, like the same disease in humans, are not fully understood. The exact reasons for its occurrence are also unknown. However, scientists identify some factors that provoke the appearance of allergic reactions. Among them:
- An inherited predisposition to the disease. It often happens that belonging to a particular breed can cause hypersensitivity to certain allergens.
For example, Yorkshire Terriers are prone to allergies to dog food, which often suffer from reactions to certain types of animal proteins. The most common sensitivity to chicken in representatives of 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 allergic.
- Long-term stress in dogs can also result in allergic reactions.
- Various parasites and their waste products. For example, if you do not treat worms in dogs, then the animal's body can respond to the introduction of allergic manifestations.
- Infectious diseases, whether acute or chronic.
When an allergen enters the body, its immune system produces special antibodies that respond only to certain types of antigens. If the penetration of antigens into systems and organs occurs regularly, then 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 time of allergic reactions (for example, histamine).
Biologically active substances of the immune system, called mediators, are activated, and these components are released into the bloodstream, which are carried throughout the body. In places of their penetration, inflammations develop, 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 takes place.
Response to external factors
Environmental allergies in dogs, as in humans, are very common. The causative agents here may be:
- pollen;
- mold and other fungi;
- dust mites;
- some natural fabrics.
This list goes on and on. In the event that the presence of the allergen is constant in the room where the dog is kept (for example, dust or mold), then you will not envy the poor animal. However, exposure to, for example, pollen is seasonal.
There are two types of environmental allergies - atopy and contact allergies. The first is a genetic disposition 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.
The second - contact allergy occurs when an animal comes in direct contact with an object that contains an allergen. In this case, the stomach, paws and muzzle, which most often relate to such objects, suffer more often.
This type of allergy therapy begins with the identification of an allergenic agent and its further elimination. In addition, it is necessary to observe some rules for keeping an allergic dog in the house:
- ensure frequent ventilation of the room, protect the pet from exposure to tobacco smoke and household chemicals;
- if an allergy to pollen is detected, then do not walk the dog in the places of flowering plants;
- vaccinations and antibiotics should be used only when absolutely necessary, as these drugs inhibit the intestinal flora, which exacerbates the effects of allergens;
- be sure to wash the paws of the dog after each walk, because it is on the paws and shoes that allergens get into the house where the animal is kept.
Scientists at the University of Helsinki, in particular researcher Jenny Lehtimäki, found that dogs that live in an urban environment are more prone to allergies than their counterparts from the countryside. Among city dogs, 31% of allergy sufferers were revealed, against 8% among their village relatives.
Scientists believe that dogs should be in constant interaction with natural microbes. Keeping on the street, frequent walks and surroundings of farm animals have a beneficial effect on the health of village dogs. From all of the above, we can conclude that it is necessary to protect the pet suffering from allergies as much as possible from the effects of the substances that cause it.
Parasite response
Allergies in dogs to parasites are also quite common. Basically, the allergen is substances contained in the saliva of insects. The main symptoms are irritation and itching, which are accompanied by anxiety of the dog, biting the hair in affected areas, combing. With this type of allergy, a pair of parasitic insects is 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:
- elimination of parasites;
- frequent combing of wool, which will contribute to its cleaning from dust, dirt and waste products of parasitic organisms;
- frequent bathing with flea therapy using special shampoos;
- removal of parasites from places of detention: stove benches, aviaries, booths;
- application of preventive measures: anti-flea collars, helminthization, drops on the withers of ticks and fleas.
Allergic reactions to medicines
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 there are also allergic reactions to the components of medicines. Most often, a drug allergy occurs 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 doses of allergen preparations. As with other forms, with drug allergies, skin itching and rashes, 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. The 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 chemical products can cause sneezing and coughing, swelling of the eyes and mucous membranes. And external contacts with the components of these products cause itching, irritation, rash, dermatitis and eczema.
Food allergy
A food allergy in dogs is a reaction of the immune system to a specific type of protein that an animal receives with food. This type of disease can be triggered by any food component. Allergies in dogs to chicken are most common. Along with this, the most allergenic foods are: pork, beef, dairy products, eggs, yeast products, red fruits and vegetables, seafood, soy, corn, wheat.
Often, allergic reactions also appear on dog treats that contain artificial flavors and colorings. Food allergies in dogs are most often manifested by digestive upset, whether it is diarrhea or vomiting. Along with this, the following symptoms are observed:
- Hyperemia of the skin and itching - the dog combes his ears, licks himself, gnaws his hair, rubs his sides against the walls.
- Focal hair loss occurs before the formation of bald spots.
- The skin is covered with a rash, wounds, seals.
- Eyes become inflamed, redden, lacrimation and muddy mucus in the corners increase.
- The dog can often sneeze and cough; it runs from the nose.
- Breathing with wheezing and difficulty is observed with asthmatic manifestation.
- Armpits get wet, this causes wet spots on the bed, despite the fact that the dog can not sweat from nature, which means she has got weeping eczema.
- The ears are inflamed, the animal often shakes them.
With 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, and the introduction of drugs that accelerate the removal of the allergen from the body and strengthen the immune system.
The owner, before visiting the clinic, can give the dog a cleansing enema and give it activated charcoal as an absorbent to 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 manufacturers of dog food produce special hypoallergenic products, as there are more and more animals suffering from this pathology.
Common symptoms for all types of allergies
Allergies in dogs (a photo of the manifestations of an ailment in a sick animal can be found in specialized publications) can manifest itself in different ways, but basically its symptoms are as follows:
- redness of the skin;
- peeling;
- a rash that usually appears around the anus, on the muzzle, in the armpits, and in the stomach;
- tearing;
- itching
- hair loss;
- digestive disorders;
- swelling of the legs and face;
- spasm of the bronchi.
A positive outcome of the course of the disease will undoubtedly be affected by the correct determination of the symptoms of dog allergies and the treatment used after diagnosis, based on detailed studies.
Treatment
The treatment of allergies in dogs is based on the same principles as in humans:
- Elimination of contact with an allergen.
- Prescribing antihistamines to a dog against allergies.
- Increased immunity.
Before you ask yourself how to treat allergies in dogs, you need to conduct a quality diagnosis that will accurately determine the type of allergen. A hypoallergenic diet with a certain group of products is necessarily prescribed.
If the pathology is accompanied by combs and dermatitis, then ointments and emulsions with anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects are used. And with secondary infection, antibiotics are prescribed. If conjunctivitis is one of the symptoms, it is necessary to rinse the eyes and apply eye drops for allergies.
At home, with the onset of symptoms, you can give Tavegil or Suprastin to the dog from allergies in tablets, while observing the dosage by weight. However, in more severe cases, when Quincke's edema, 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 anti-shock drugs must be administered in liquid form intramuscularly or intravenously.
Owners of animals that are prone to allergies, mainly know about the characteristics of their pets, so the question of what to give the dog from allergies, they do not need it so acutely. First-aid kits for such pets should always store antihistamines in ampoules and tablets.
Prevention
In order not to endanger the health of the beloved dog, it is better to follow some preventive measures to prevent allergic manifestations. Moreover, it is impossible to completely cure an animal from allergies, but it is quite possible for any owner to limit contact with allergens.
So, preventive measures:
- Do not feed the animal obviously allergenic foods and feed.
- Give anthelmintic drugs periodically.
- Enhance immunity with omega acids.
- Timely cleanse the intestines of toxins with the help of probiotics that restore microflora.
- Use only hypoallergenic cosmetics for animal hygiene.
- Keep household chemicals out of reach and do not use too odorous products.
- Do not neglect walks, active games, the use of natural food and high-grade feed.
- Water the dog with fresh and clean water.
Do not neglect the health of your pet. 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.