Allergies in Dogs | Aztec Animal Clinic

One of the most common conditions affecting dogs is allergy. In the allergic state, the dog’s immune system “overreacts” to foreign substances (allergens or antigens) to which it is exposed. These overreactions are manifested in three ways. The most common is itching of the skin, either localized (one area) or generalized (all over the dog). Another manifestation involves the respiratory system and may result in coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be an associated nasal or ocular (eye) discharge. The third manifestation involves the digestive system, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea.

There are five known types of allergies in the dog: contact, flea, food, bacterial, and inhalant. Each of these has some common expressions in dogs, and each has some unique features.

Contact Allergy

Contact allergy is the least common of the five types of allergy. They result in a local reaction of the skin. Examples of contact allergy include reactions to flea collars or to types of bedding, such as wool. If the dog is allergic to such substances, there will be skin irritation and itching at the points of contact. Removal of the contact irritant solves the problem. However, identifying the allergen can require some detective work.

Flea Allergy

Flea allergy is common in dogs. A normal dog experiences only minor irritation in response to flea bites, often without any itching. On the other hand, the flea allergic dog has a severe, itch-producing reaction when the flea’s saliva is deposited in the skin. Just one bite causes such intense itching that the dog may severely scratch or chew itself, leading to the removal of large amounts of hair. There will often be open sores or scabs on the skin, allowing a secondary bacterial infection to begin. The area most commonly involved is over the rump (just in front of the tail).

The most important treatment for flea allergy is to get the dog away from all fleas. Therefore, strict flea control is the backbone of successful treatment. Unfortunately, this is not always possible in warm and humid climates, where a new population of fleas can hatch out every 14-21 days. When strict flea control is not possible, corticosteroids (or “cortisone” or “steroids”) can be used to block the allergic reaction and give relief. This is often a necessary part of dealing with flea allergies. Fortunately, dogs are more resistant to the side-effects of steroids than humans, so much of what you know about the side-effects in people do not apply to dogs. If a secondary bacterial infection occurs, appropriate antibiotics must be used.

Bacterial Allergy

Staphylococcus (Staph) is a bacterium found on normal dog skin. If the skin is normal and the dog’s immune system is normal, Staph causes no problems to its host. However, some dogs develop an allergy to this bacterium. When this happens, the dog develops areas of hair loss that look much like ringworm. They are often round and ½ to 2 inches in diameter. These same lesions develop in true Staph infection; they are easily treated with certain antibiotics, but the Staph-allergic dog has recurrent “Staph infections.” The lesions will usually clear with appropriate antibiotics but return as soon as antibiotics are discontinued. After a while, some dogs become resistant to antibiotic treatment.

Treatment of Staph allergy involves antibiotics to control the immediate problem and desensitization with Staph antigen for long-term relief.

Inhalant Allergy

The most common type of allergy is the inhalant type, or atopy. Dogs may be allergic to all of the same inhaled allergens that affect humans. These include tree pollens (cedar, ash, oak, etc.), grass pollens (especially Bermuda), weed pollens (ragweed, etc.), molds, mildew, and the house dust mite. Many of these allergies occur seasonally, such as ragweed, cedar, and grass pollens. However, others are with us all the time, such as molds, mildew, and house dust mites. When humans inhale these allergens, we express the allergy as a respiratory problem; it is sometimes called “hay fever.” The dog’s reaction, however, usually produces severe, generalized itching. In fact, the most common cause of itching in the dog is inhalant allergy.

Most dogs that have inhalant allergy react to several allergens. If the number is small and they are the seasonal type, itching may last for just a few weeks at a time during one or two periods of the year. If the number of allergens is large or they are they are present year-round, the dog may itch constantly.

Treatment depends largely on the length of the dog’s allergy season. It involves three approaches:

1. 
   Anti-inflammatory. Anti-inflammatory therapy will dramatically block the allergic reaction in most cases. Steroids may be given orally or by injection, depending on the circumstances. If steroids are appropriate for your dog, you will be instructed in their proper use. Antihistamines can be of value in treating the allergic dog when they are combined with steroids. In some dogs, antihistamines can significantly decrease the amount of steroid needed to provide relief. Fatty acid supplementation can also be implemented with steroids and antihistamine. When the three of them are combined, most allergic dogs are significantly improved. This is a non-specific approach which does not treat the allergy, only the complications of the allergic state (itching).


2. 
   Shampoo therapy. Many dogs are helped considerably by frequent bathing with a hypoallergenic shampoo. It has been demonstrated that some allergens may be absorbed through the skin. Frequent bathing is thought to reduce the amount of antigen exposure through this route. In addition to removing surface antigen, bathing alone will provide some temporary relief from itching and may allow the use of a lower dose of steroids. Antihistamines are usually of little value in the dog but can be tried.


3. 
   Hyposensitization. The third major form of allergy treatment is hyposensitization with specific antigen injections (or “allergy shots”). Once the specific sources of allergy are identified, very small amounts of the antigen are injected weekly. The purpose of this therapy is to reprogram the body’s immune system. It is hoped that as time passes, the immune system will become less reactive to the problem-causing allergens. If hyposensitization appears to help the dog, injections will continue for several years. For most dogs, a realistic goal is for the itching to be significantly reduced in severity; in some dogs, itching may completely resolve. Generally, steroids are only used on a brief and intermittent basis. This therapeutic approach is recommended for the middle-aged or older dog that has year round itching caused by inhalant allergy. This approach is not successful with food allergy. Although hyposensitization is the ideal way to treat inhalant allergy, it does have some drawbacks and may not be the best choice in certain circumstances and for these reasons:

• Cost: This is the most expensive form of treatment.


• Age of Patient: Because many dogs develop additional allergies as they get older, young dogs may need to be retested 1-3 years later.


• Success Rate: About 50% of dogs will have an excellent response. About 25% get partial to good response. About 25% get little or no response. The same statistics are true for people undergoing desensitization.


• Food Allergies: Although tests for food allergy are available, the reliability of the test is so low that it is not recommended at this time. A food trial remains the best diagnostic test for food allergy.


• Time of Response: The time until apparent response may be 2-5 months, or longer.


• Interference of steroids: Dogs must not receive oral steroids for 2 weeks or injectable steroids for 6 weeks prior to testing; these drugs will interfere with the test results.

Food Allergy

Dogs are not likely to be born with food allergies. More commonly, they develop allergies to food products they have eaten for a long time. The allergy most frequently develops in response to the protein component of the food; for example, beef, pork, chicken, or turkey. Food allergy may produce any of the clinical signs previously discussed, including itching, digestive disorders, and respiratory distress. We recommend testing for food allergy when the clinical signs have been present for several months, when the dog has a poor response to steroids, or when a very young dog itches without other apparent causes of allergy. Testing is done with a special hypoallergenic diet. Because it takes at least 8 weeks for all other food products to get out of the system, the dog must eat the special diet exclusively for 8-12 weeks (or more). If positive response occurs, you will be instructed on how to proceed. If the diet is not fed exclusively, it will not be a meaningful test. We cannot overemphasize this. If any types of table food, treats or vitamins are given, these must be discontinued during the testing period. There may be problems with certain types of chewable heartworm preventative, as well. Your veterinarian will discuss this with you.

Because dogs that are being tested for inhalant allergy generally itch year round, a food allergy dietary test can be performed while the inhalant test and antigen preparation is occurring.

Ash Haven Farm ~ Animal Rescue and Sanctuary

Star and Sundancer, 2 of our 4 llamas

Quinton holds miniature horse baby Rosie, born on the farm in 2009.

Miniature horses and nubian goats sharing the barnyard (Mandy, Rosie, Tillie and Delilah)

Barn Kittens! (Dusty, Price, Zoe, Jazzy and Olivia)

Jasmine, one of the many snake visitors on the farm (we love snakes!)

Best Friends…May-Ling and Cody

Juniper (alpaca) and Price (barn kitty) take a walk

It’s “salon day” for Daisy (french angora rabbit) and look who’s getting in on the action — Price really gets around!

Sunrise with Grace and Roscoe

Don Diego, head of the llama herd

About us | Barnsley Animal Rescue Charity

We’re one of Yorkshire’s largest rescue charities.

BARC was formed in 1995, at a time when many rescue centres were still putting healthy animals to sleep. We were the first in our local area to stop this. Every year, since then we have changed the lives of thousands of abandoned animals.

We think it’s important to provide the best possible care for our animals. Our kennels, cattery and rabbit sanctuary are all run by animal welfare experts. We provide physical and mental rehabilitation until they are ready for their new home.

We take care to help new owners make the right decision when choosing a companion, one best suited to their lifestyle. Our team are always available to provide support and advice every step of the way. And will continue to do so throughout an animal’s life. This is our commitment to them and to you, we call it Infinity Care.

That’s what we think makes BARC special.

Animal Shelters In Need of Help

Animal Shelters In Need of Help

April 5, 2008

tags: adopt, animal shelter, donate, neuter, pets, spay

Throughout our country there are numerous animal shelters overflowing with rescued cats and dogs. I’m a huge animal lover, and have a dog of my own, so it saddens me to see so many animals in need.

The Oprah show aired yesterday a program about puppy-mills and the efforts of rescue organizations to stop animal cruelty. I made a point to watch, even though I knew it would be tough to see these dogs being mistreated by the owners of puppy-mills. These dogs are kept in cages their entire lives, and their only task is to breed puppies. Their health is poor since they receive no medical treatment, so many of these animals are blind, have heartworm disease, and eventually can’t even walk from being unable to walk outside and run around. Their nails are overgrown, and their teeth falls off due to the overgrowth of tartar eventually leading to gum disease. Their coats are matted to the point one can’t even tell the breed of the dog, and this also hinders the dog’s ability to move their limbs. They are beaten by rods on their throats, the vocal cords are severed in order to keep them silenced and unable to bark. Collars end up embedded in the animal’s neck from lack of space as it grows, also hindering breathing. The animals also develop Mange, an unsightly skin disease that is contagious where mites burrow themselves into the flesh, causing painful skin irritations, and the hair to fall off. I was in tears.

Puppy-mill kennels are kept in horrifying conditions. It smells of urine and feces, and have improper air circulation or heat/air conditioning for a comfortable temperature. Water and food are scarcely given so these animals are skin and bones. Once the puppies are born, they are removed from their mothers, and sold to PET STORES.

I admit I used to be ignorant about puppy-mills and purchased my first and only dog to date from a pet store in New York City. It wasn’t until I began falling in love with my dog, and realized how much she gives back to me, that I became a proponent in the well being of animals. Sure I never wanted to see an animal being beaten or mistreated but I had no idea the extent of the cruelty they endure. I joined the ASPCA, a rescue organization in the city, and began donating money to them whenever I could. Then I joined the Humane Society of the United States, and later Stray From The Heart. But there are so many more wonderful organizations, like the Lange Foundation out in Los Angeles, featured yesterday on the show.

There is however so much people can do to help. First, NEVER purchase an animal from a pet store, as you would only be aiding to the demand for more cruel breeding from puppy-mills. Instead, adopt a dog or cat from a local shelter. If you want a full bred animal, there are hundreds upon hundreds of breed-specific shelters across the country. You can find them at petfinder.com. There are animals from all ages, even puppies, however consider adopting an older animal who is house broken, and just wants a happy home. Believe me the love you will get back is tremendous. In addition, you can search for true and legitimate animal breeders in your area, and visit the facility so you can see first hand that the animals are well treated. Not only you will feel good that you’re not adding to the problem, but dogs that come from true breeders have great prospective health, and are a fraction of the price you would pay at the pet shop. Please note that legitimate breeders will question you and, because they truly love their animals, will want to make sure their pet is going to a great home. Stricter guidelines are followed for shelter adoption. Shelters want to ensure the animal will suffer no further abuse, and they have every right to do so.

Second, please spay and neuter your animal. If for no other reason than population control, if you love your pet and want it to have an amazing and healthy life, spaying and neutering hinders future disease such as breast and testicular cancer. I know some people, specially the men, feel that is unfair to neuter your male dog or cat, but truth is, they don’t care. The only thing they want is to be loved by you and given a good life. Another thing with spaying and neutering is that if your pet can no longer be in heat, he/she won’t try to escape in order to breed, thus less chance of you losing your dog or having it get killed by a car crossing streets.

Third, if you are able, donate. Even if it’s $ 10 a year to a favorite rescue organization. Perhaps even donate your time and volunteer. I have been meaning to do this and will once I can physically get to the local shelter.

As if yesterday wasn’t enough, to my horror, today I opened The Miami Herald only to find a story about the Miami-Dade Animal Shelter, who is in desperate need of funding to be able to continue to run properly and efficiently. Like many in this country, this shelter is also overcrowded and needs to expand its facility site in order to be able to accommodate all the animals in need. The article states,

“Some department revenue comes from dog-licensing fees, but that only 180,000 of the county’s 500,000 dogs are licensed” and that, “adoptions have dropped over the past two quarters”.

If you have a pet, just registering your animal with the county and paying the small fee will increase funding to the county’s shelters. The cost for a dog tag is $ 35 for unspayed/unneutered, and $ 25 for spayed/neutered animals. And fees are much lower $ 2/$ 1 respectively if you can prove you are of low income status. So I ask you.. Would you PLEASE consider tagging you dog or cat today?

In the interest of growing as human beings, please consider adopting a dog or cat if you really want a pet. Inform yourself of what it takes to own and care for a pet, read a book on the temperament of the breed and how it will mesh with your lifestyle. If everyone could be educated when making the lifelong decision of pet ownership, we wouldn’t end up with so many owner-surrender animals and strays at our shelters, thus exacerbating the current tragic situation occurring all over the country.

Lastly, this is a very sore but important subject for me. I couldn’t imagine my life without my pug as this little furry animal brings so much joy and laughter to my life. Caring for her and ensuring her needs are met are more important to me than almost anything else. I may have ignorantly purchased her from a pet store, but I vowed to give her the best life possible and to never let happen to her what happened to her mom and dad.

Thank you so much for reading.