It is about the time of year when the trees turn yellow and everyone around you is either coughing or sneezing. Believe it or not, our dogs (and cats) can have seasonal allergies too! There are many different types of allergens that our dogs and cats can be affected by including environmental, flea, food, and many others.
So what are the symptoms of allergies in dogs?
Typically, allergies in dogs will present themselves as itching of the skin. This can be all over their body, but can also be localized to one spot. The main areas of localization are the ears, paws, and belly. Hives and sores can be present in more severe cases. Constant licking, scratching, or chewing in any of these areas can be an indication that it is irritating the pet. Ear infections are also indicators of sensitivities to allergens. These can be precursors to scratching at the ears, or they can be the result. If these symptoms are not managed, licking and scratching can lead to open sores on your dog, or cat as well, that can lead to serious skin infections and wounds that will require more intensive care and antibiotic therapy. When these signs are noticed, early intervention with your veterinary team is the best option.
Another symptom of allergies is upper respiratory issues – coughing or sneezing. This is the typical presentation in humans when the pollen comes out! Our pets can have itchy, water eyes as well as discharge from the eyes and nose. A persistent sneeze or coughing may also be present. Wheezing can also be a sign of allergies in both dogs and cats and should be carefully monitored by yourself and your veterinarian.
Gastrointestinal issues are another symptom of allergies in both cats and dogs. Vomiting and diarrhea, or even just softer stools than normal for your pet can be a huge indicator that something is not right. These symptoms typically are present in dogs and cats with food sensitivities and less likely with allergies to pollen or dust in the environment, but we will touch on that a little later.
How common are allergies in pets?
Honestly, they are more common than you think! Typically allergies present themselves in young pets – around 6 months of age to 2 years old. If your pet has been exposed to the allergen causing them distress, then they will start to show some of these clinical signs within this age range. There are always late bloomers and pets that have never interacted with their specific allergen until a more mature age, however we typically see this with more severe allergic reactions – things like bee stings. These are characterized by the same hallmark signs in people – swelling! Swelling of the face, throat, eyes, nose, and ears will happen rapidly after contact with this allergen. If an acute allergic reaction like this happens, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
One type of allergy that most people do not think about is fleas – we call it Flea Bite Dermatitis or Flea Allergy Dermatitis. Our cats and dogs absolutely can have allergies to fleas just as humans can. They are severely affected by the saliva distributed when a flea bites their skin. In this condition, it is common to see scratching and chewing right on the top of their back, around their tail. You would think of it as their butt – you know the place cats loved to be scratched and dogs adore a nice patting gesture. It is an easy to reach spot and becomes extremely sensitive when this condition arises. Many of us never run into this issue because our pets are consistently on flea and tick preventatives that keep these nasty insects at bay. However, if you and your pet have missed a dose or two and the scratching begins, take this into consideration and administer the preventatives.
I do want to mention food allergies, but we definitely do not have enough space to cover everything about them like I would want to – maybe next issue *wink*. What I want you all to know about them is that they can happen. Like I mentioned above, they typically present with intolerance to their foods – diarrhea, vomiting, and sometimes lack of appetite. Again, if your dog or cat has been exposed to the thing they are allergic to, these reactions happen. It is safe to say that you will not be able to figure out what specific food your pets are allergic to without the help and guidance of your veterinarian. Foods you buy at the grocery store or the local pet supply store are not guaranteed to be as limited with their ingredients as they may claim. Prescription grade diets absolutely can make these claims because they are clinically tested and hold up to the standards of vets everywhere.
So how do we diagnose these conditions and how do we differentiate? This is a loaded question, mainly because each dog and cat has their own special problems with allergies. They are exposed to different environments, different foods, new bugs, new plants, and everything else under the sun. A long talk with your vet can do a lot of good, but it takes a lot of questions. We talk about where Max goes on his walks, do you take him anywhere other than your neighborhood? What food does he eat? What snacks does he get? Where does Mittens like to hide? Does she go outside? Any new cleansers, detergents, perfumes, soaps? There is a plethora of everyday items that could be causing your pets’ sensitivities and it takes time and patience to figure out the culprit. The amazing part of it all is that there are great medications and treatments available to us. There are new foods, medications, and injection therapies that can aid in our fight against allergies. We have allergy testing now that looks at over 90 different allergens that could be affecting your dog and there is much more work being done.
The bottom line is, allergies are affecting dogs now more than ever, mainly because there are more of them in the world; but there are also compassionate veterinarians that are willing to walk with you down this hard road. If you feel that your pet is being affected by allergies, talk to your veterinary staff, we are always here to help.
Melissa Reel is a surgery technician at Lake Pine Animal Hospital. Melissa graduated with an animal science degree in 2018 B.S., B.A., M.S. She is currently making arrangements to attend vet school.
