Does dog allergy go away on its own

Can You Outgrow Your Allergies?

Most people with allergies first develop them as children or infants. But as they age, some individuals seem to leave their hay fever, pet allergies or even food allergies behind.

Doctors don't know exactly why, but people's allergies actually can disappear over time. And even when they don't disappear, allergies vary significantly.

The severity of allergic reactions differs widely among people, and even within the same individual, allergic reactions can change in severity from season to season and from allergen to allergen. For example, a neighbor's cat might send you into a sneezing fit, while a different feline could provoke nary a reaction at all.

In general, doctors do know what causes allergies: Your immune system overreacts to a harmless substance. When functioning correctly, your body's defenses attack foreign invaders, like viruses. With allergies, the immune system mistakenly targets pollen, pet dander or certain foods, for example, sending molecules called immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to orchestrate a "defense."

In cases of disappearing allergies, some experts theorize that the person may simply grow accustomed to the allergen, thus reducing the level of immune-system sensitivity.

"Growing accustomed" seems important in allergies to food, particularly nuts. Some doctors have recently emphasized promoting tolerance to the food through low-level exposure that's gradually increased.

Physicians used to think that nut allergies, particularly the severe variety associated with peanuts, always lasted a lifetime. Over the last decade, however, studies have shown that about 20 percent of children with peanut allergies can overcome the sensitivity.

By looking at allergy blood tests, which show IgE levels, doctors can even characterize a child's chances of outgrowing food allergies.

But even when food reactions seem like they've gone away, the trouble's not necessarily banished; symptoms of food allergies can return just as mysteriously as they disappeared. Allergies to pollen, pet dander and other substances can recur, too.

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10 ways to treat a dogs runny nose

So why is your dogs nose on the run? Here are root causes in order of least to most severe..

1. Sweat

Perhaps the most common (and least serious) reason for a canines runny nose is that they are sweating. Dogs cant regulate their body temperature through their skin the way that humans do, hence the heavy panting when they exercise or overheat. Instead of secreting sweat through their pores, they do it through their paw pads and noses. In the case of the latter, this sweating will present itself in the form of clear, odorless water in the nasal passage.

2. Seasonal allergies

Another likely culprit for your dogs runny nose is allergies. The same way that seasonal weather changes and flowers in full bloom spell trouble for a lot of humans sinuses, dogs can be susceptible to pollens, dander, and spores. Other irritants that may trigger canine allergies include certain foods, prescription drugs, and dust mites. If your dog is experiencing allergies, their runny nose may sometimes be paired with other symptoms such as sneezing, itchiness, coughing, and eye discharge.

3. Environmental irritants

Your dogs runny nose may be a product of their environment. Cigarette smoke, cleaning products, dust build up, lit candles, and incense are all possible irritants once inhaled indoors or outdoors. While these reactions can be seasonal, they can also be long-term if caused by a permanent element in your home or regular environment. Atopic reactions like sneezing and itching may accompany your dogs runny nose in this instance.

4. Genetics

Some dog breeds are more genetically predisposed to runny noses than others. Brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced/shortened snouts), like pugs and boxers, tend to have nostrils with narrow airways that make them more prone to irritation and breathing trouble. These dogs tend to experience more extreme sensitivities to seasonal changes than other breeds, including respiratory issues and heat intolerance.

5. Foreign objects

In some cases, a dogs runny nose is caused by an object blocking their nasal passage. Objects such as seeds, small toy parts, cotton, candle wax, and button batteries are small enough to enter your pets respiratory tract. Once stuck in the upper airways, they can cause runny noses, excessive sneezing, and nosebleeds. Additionally, if your dog is frequently pawing at their nostrils, they may have inhaled a foreign object.

6. Bacterial infections

Bacterial infections impact humans and their furry friends alike. They are often the result of a weakened immune system brought on from diet, lack of exercise, aging, or other illnesses. Owners who believe their pup has been infected should consult their vet ASAP before things get worse. Here are bacterial infections that can cause runny noses in dog:

• Kennel cough Perhaps one of the more alarming conditions that dogs can experience is Bordetella, a highly contagious upper respiratory disease characterized by a loud honking cough that can last for up to 6 weeks in senior dogs or pups with underlying health issues. Commonly known as kennel cough, this condition is easily preventable with a yearly vaccine that all owners should make sure their dog is up-to-date on.
• Periodontal disease Believe it or not, dental issues are among the reasons your dogs nose may be running. Dental disease can cause nasal discharge because the tooth roots are very closely associated with the nasal sinuses. When dental issues progress to periodontal disease, it causes a significant amount of bacteria buildup in the mouth and gums. This can lead to gingivitis, gum recession, and tooth root abscesses that can cause unilateral nasal discharge. In addition to the nose, bacteria buildup can also get into your pups bloodstream and travel to other areas of the body, potentially leading to infections in the heart and kidneys.

7. Viral infections

In addition to bacterial infections, dog owners should consider whether their dogs runny nose is the result of a viral infection. If you suspect your dog has contracted a virus, seek medical attention immediately before it gets worse. Here are viral infections that can cause runny noses in dogs and how to treat them:

• Colds Although humans and dogs can both get colds, the viruses theyre susceptible to are unique to their species. In the case of dogs, their runny nose may be accompanied by watery eyes, congestion, and frequent sneezing in the event of a cold.
• Canine influenza The dog flu is an airborne virus typically contracted from being around infected dogs. Discolored eye and nasal discharge, fever, difficulty breathing, and lethargy are all symptoms your dog may exhibit.
• Distemper Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that your dog can contract not only through other dogs, but through wild animals like racoons and foxes. It affects the respiratory, GI, and central nervous systems of infected dogs, and can cause sticky, yellow nasal discharge, eye discharge, decreased appetite, vomiting, seizures, and even death.

8. Injury

Trauma to your dogs nose or face can cause their nose to run. Lethargy, confusion or disorientation, or swelling of the nose are all signs your dog has experienced an injury of some kind and should be brought to their vet for further evaluation. If they begin vomiting or have different pupil sizes, seek emergency care, as they may have a concussion.

9. Polyps or nasal tumors

When examining your pups runny nose, visit the vet if you notice they are excreting blood, pus, or mucus, as it could be a sign of a polyp, or in more serious cases, a nasal tumor. Other signs to look out for are noisy breathing, ongoing nasal discharge from one nostril, sneezing, swelling on one side of the nose, and/or decreased appetite. While polyps are benign, nasal tumors can sometimes be cancerous. To diagnose a mass, a dog will typically need to be anesthetized while a physical exam of the nasal cavity is performed.

10. Cleft palates, cleft lips, or oronasal fistulas

If you notice your dog has a runny nose or unusual discharge specifically after meals, this may be due to a cleft palate/lip or an oronasal fistula. A cleft palate or lip, seen commonly in beagles and Boston terriers, is a birth defect that causes two sides of your dogs palate not to fuse properly, resulting in an opening of the upper lip. An oronasal fistula, on the other hand, usually happens due to oral infections or the loss of a tooth.

Dog Hives (Urticaria | welts): Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

What Are Dog Hives (Urticaria)?

Hives, otherwise known as urticaria by medical professionals, are one abnormality you may see. They occur when your dog is allergic to something, such as an insect, medication, or food. Recognizing hives in dogs and understanding the cause is essential to relieving your dogs discomfort and preventing dog hives in the future.

What do dog hives look like?

• Dog hives look like raised bumps on the skin, usually about the size of a nickel.
• Hives are usually red in color; however, you may not notice redness if they are on a very furry part of your dog. In this case, your pets hives may only look like fur-covered bumps. Sometimes, its difficult to see the raised bumps, and you may only feel them when petting your dog.
• Dog hives can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, tongue, neck, legs, chest, abdomen, or back. They can affect just one area of the body or the entire body.
• Dog hives are very itchy. This may be the first thing you notice before seeing or feeling hives on your dogs skin. Your dog will likely be trying to scratch, lick, or bite the areas affected as it will be itchy.
• Hives usually happen very fast within minutes after exposure to whatever caused them.
• You may notice excessive drooling and a swollen/puffy face if the hives affect your dogs throat or mouth.

What causes hives on a dog?

Dog hives are almost always related to exposure to an allergen. Once exposed to an allergen, mast cells in your dogs body release a substance called histamine. Histamine causes blood vessels to dilate, which leads to raised welts on your dogs skin.

The most common allergens causing dog hives include:

• Insect bite or sting, or ingesting an insect (photo recommendation: dog playing with bee)
• Vaccinations
• Acute allergic reactions to medications (chemotherapy, vitamin K, antibiotics)
• Food allergies
• Environmental allergies (grasses, trees, mold, dust mites, etc.)
• Contact allergens such as shampoos, insecticides, cleaning products
• Ingesting or skin exposure to toxic plants

Much less common causes of hives in dogs include prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures (hot or cold), strenuous exercise, parasites, or significant psychological stress.

Insect bites/stings, food, and medications are the most common causes of hives in dogs.

How are dog hives diagnosed?

As a pet parent, it can be worrisome to see these skin rashes, but luckily, for your vet to diagnose your dogs hives. Your vet will use a combination of your history and their physical examination findings.

Its essential to think about anything new your dog may have been exposed to. Did you see them playing with a bee? Were they recently vaccinated? Did they start a new medication or a new food? During the physical exam, your veterinarian will look at your dogs skin to evaluate hives and where the hives are located.

If your veterinarian is having trouble diagnosing your dogs hives or the reason for their hives, they may perform additional diagnostics, such as blood work, skin cytology, skin scrapings, or fecal analysis.

How to treat & get rid of dog hives?

Treatment for hives in dogs can be simple or more extensive, depending on the cause, severity, and duration of the allergic reaction.

To get your dog quick relief from the swelling and itchiness related to hives, your veterinarian will usually administer an injection of diphenhydramine (an antihistamine) and a corticosteroid. Once your dog is feeling better and discharged from the hospital, your veterinarian may also recommend that you continue giving your dog Benadryl two to three times a day at home for a couple of days.

To prevent hives from reoccurring, you need to understand what caused them in the first place so that you can avoid the allergen in the future. If there is no apparent cause for your dogs hives (such as insect bite, medication, or vaccinations), it may be more challenging to understand how to prevent hives in the future. Environmental and dietary allergies are two possible causes of hives that may require further diagnostics and treatment.

Environmental allergies

If your dog has recurrent hives or has other signs of allergies, your veterinarian may recommend testing for environmental allergies with serum allergy testing or intradermal allergy testing. With these results, your veterinarian can create a plan to desensitize your dog to these allergies with allergen-specific immunotherapy.

If you determine that you cannot eliminate the allergens in your dogs environment or pursue allergen-specific immunotherapy treatment, your veterinarian may recommend:

• Giving your dog daily antihistamines (such as Benadryl, zyrtec, or hydroxyzine)
• Giving your dog other prescription-strength allergy medications such as apoquel or cytopoint
• Starting daily skin health supplements, such as omega-three fatty acids.
• Frequently bathing your dog with medicated high-quality shampoo

Food allergies

Allergies that stem from food can also cause recurrent episodes of hives in dogs. The most common cause of allergies in dogs include chicken, beef, dairy, and egg 2. Recurrent episodes of hives can also be related to dietary allergies. To diagnose a food allergy, your veterinarian may recommend a diet trial for 6-8 weeks with a prescription food or an over-the-counter diet with a different protein source, like fish or venison. If your dog responds positively to a food trial, you can continue the special diet long term.

Are dog hives dangerous?

Dog hives are rarely life-threatening. However, there are a few less common situations where hives can affect your dogs breathing and become dangerous.

• Hives in the face, neck, or throat can cause severe swelling that impacts breathing, which can become life-threatening.
• The presence of hives anywhere may indicate your dog is having or about to have an anaphylactic reaction, which causes constriction of airways and difficulty breathing. 3 Besides hives, other signs of anaphylaxis include vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling, drooling, blue gum color, and collapse.

If you notice that your dog has hives, pay particular attention to how they are breathing and for any other concerning changes in their behavior. If you are concerned your dog may be having severe allergic reactions, take them to the emergency room immediately to rule out a medical emergency.

At-home remedies for dog hives

If possible, take your dog to the veterinarian if you notice they have hives, especially if this is a first-time problem. If your dog chronically or intermittently has hives and the issue has previously been discussed with a veterinarian, some at-home remedies may help relieve the allergic reaction.

• If the hives are not affecting your dogs face, neck, throat, or ability to swallow, you can administer Benadryl by mouth. Always discuss if this is appropriate for your dog with your veterinarian first and receive instructions about dosage and frequency.
• If the hives were caused by a contact allergen (such as grasses/trees or chemicals) or insect bites you can help relieve itchiness by bathing with a gentle oatmeal-based dog shampoo can help your dog feel more comfortable.
• Apply a cold compress to the hives or the most severely affected areas of your dogs skin. Be careful never to apply a cold compress for more than 10 minutes at one time, and always wrap the ice or cold object in a towel before applying it to your dogs skin.