Will dog allergy go away

Types of Dog Allergies and How to Treat Them

Have you heard someone tell you that their dog has allergies? Has your veterinarian suggested that allergies could be a problem for your dog? Do you suspect that your dog has allergies? If so, then youve probably realized that allergies in dogs are not quite as simple as we might wish. For starters, there are several different types of allergies that could be causing your dogs symptoms.

Allergies are a misguided reaction to foreign substances by the bodys immune system, which, of course, people and pets can suffer from. There are quite a few different types of allergies in dogs. Skin allergies, food allergies, and environmental allergens all pose challenges for dogs and their owners, and to make things more complicated, the symptoms of all these different types of allergies can overlap.

Symptoms of Allergies in Dogs

The symptoms of allergies in dogs may vary depending on the cause. A dog that goes into anaphylactic shock, for instance, will have a drop in blood pressure followed by shock, which is very different from a skin condition.

In general, however, the following symptoms could be a sign of an allergic reaction.

• Itchiness
• Hives
• Swelling of the face, ears, lips, eyelids, or earflaps
• Red, inflamed skin
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Sneezing
• Itchy ears
• Chronic ear infections
• Itchy, runny eyes
• Constant licking

Some of these symptoms could also be a sign of another condition. Make an appointment with your veterinarian if you notice changes in their behavior to get an accurate diagnosis.

Types of Allergic Reactions in Dogs

Allergic Dermatitis in Dogs

Skin allergies in dogs, known as allergic dermatitis, is the most common type of allergic reaction in dogs. Skin allergies in dogs are mainly caused by one of three things: fleas, food allergies, and atopicor environmentalallergies.Flea allergy dermatitis is an allergic reaction to fleabites, and some dogs are allergic to flea saliva, which can cause their skin to become red, inflamed, or scabbed because their skin will feel extremely itchy. Its the easiest type of allergic dermatitis to treat, since you can apply flea medication for dogs to help heal their skin.

Another cause of skin allergy in dogs is from food allergies and sensitivities. Just like humans can be allergic to certain foods or ingredients, dogs can be allergic, which can cause itchy skin. Dogs with food allergies usually have itchy ears or paws, sometimes along with gastrointestinal symptoms. Dr. Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC, says that food allergies are not as common as you might think. True food allergies result in an immune response, which can range in symptoms from hives, facial swelling, and itchiness to gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and diarrhea or a combination of both.

Environmental allergens can also affect the skin and be the cause of allergic dermatitis. Things like dust, pollen, fungus, and mold can cause these reactions, but in most cases, these allergies are seasonal. As with food allergies that affect the skin, the most commonly affected areas are the paws and ears (but also include the wrists, ankles, muzzle, underarms, groin, around the eyes, and in between the toes).

All skin allergies pose the risk of secondary infection. As your dog scratches, bites, and licks at his skin, he risks opening up his skin to yeast and bacterial infections that may require treatment.

Urticaria, or Hives, in Dogs

Also known as urticaria, hives on dogs are very itchy but are not life-threatening. Hives appear as a reaction anywhere from 6 to 24 hours after exposure to allergens. This consists of itchy, swelled skin, that usually looks like a red rash. Its easiest to spot hives on dogs that are hairless or have short coats. Dogs with longer hair can get them too, but its more likely that youd be able to fee the hives rather than see them. Your vet will prescribe an antihistamine in order to treat urticaria in dogs.

Edema of Face or Throat

Swelling of the throat or face looks severe, but its actually almost never fatal. This area of swelling, which can also include swelling of the eyelids or ear flaps, is known as angioneurotic edema. Its actually pretty easily treated, and despite how it looks, its a good sign in terms of allergic reactions.

If your dog has edema of any of these areas, the time for a fatal allergic reaction has most likely passed, and they arent in as much danger. Angioneurotic edema occurs anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours after exposure to an allergen, and can also come with hives.A veterinarian will often give dogs with this reaction an antihistamine injection. Untreated, it may take a day or two for the swelling to subside.

Anaphylactic Shock

Perhaps the most alarming of all the types of allergic reactions in dogs is anaphylactic shock. Like people, dogs can go into anaphylactic shock if they have a severe reaction to an allergen. This happens when antibodies produced by the host react negatively to the allergen, dropping your dogs blood pressure rapidly and sending them into shock. This can be fatal if not treated, but luckily, anaphylactic reactions are rare in dogs.

This can be a response to any allergen, most commonly bee or wasp stings, or vaccine reactions. Because of this, your vet will always recommend keeping a close eye on your dog after theyve been given any new vaccine, drug, or food item, as they might be allergic.

If a dog has had a past incident and survived, the owner may carry an epipen, but sometimes the first occurrence can lead to death. Fortunately these reactions are very rare in dogs.

In some rare cases, a severe food allergy reaction resulting in anaphylaxis can occur, similar to severe peanut allergies in humans. The best way to diagnose and treat a food allergy is to work with your veterinarian to manage your dogs symptoms and discover the ingredient causing the reaction.

Diagnosing Allergies in Dogs

Flea allergy dermatitis is typically the easiest allergy to diagnose. It is usually diagnosed by identifying fleas on your dogs body and applying a product that kills fleas before they can bite to see if that solves the issues.

The first thing your veterinarian will do in allergy testing is rule out any other condition that could be causing your dogs symptoms. If your veterinarian feels that an allergy is a likely cause, they may propose allergy testing to try and determine the cause of the allergen that is causing the reaction. However, keep in mind it may not always be possible to determine the cause of an allergy with testing.

If you have ever undergone allergy testing, then you know that diagnosing allergies is often complicated. Its the same for dogs, but its worth it to understand what to stay away from when it comes to your dog.Food allergies are often diagnosed using an elimination diet. A food trial consists of feeding a dog one source of protein and carbohydrate for 12 weeks.

Treating Allergies in Dogs

The best way to treat an allergy is avoidance of the cause and allergen, which may not always be possible. They type of treatment depends on the type of allergy your dog has. For example, the best way to treat flea allergy dermatitis is to kill the fleas, whereas the best way to treat a food allergy or food intolerance is a change in diet.

Depending on the cause and severity of your dogs allergic reaction, your veterinarian will prescribe different things. For hives, they might suggest antihistamines, cortisones, medicated shampoos, whereas with food allergies they might suggest fish oil or other Omega-3 fatty acid supplements. For skin allergies, they might prescribe dog-safe anti-inflammatory wipes or shampoo on skin to provide irritation relief.

In addition to any lifestyle changes that might be necessary, your veterinarian may also prescribe an allergy relief medication for your dog that will help control the signs associated with the allergic reaction, such as itching and any secondary skin infections that might have developed as a result of the irritant.

If your dog has a severe allergic reaction, your best course of action is to get them to an emergency veterinary hospital as quickly as possible.

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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How to manage an allergic reaction to dogs

Dogs are one of the most loyal and affectionate pets for families of all sizes, so what do you do if you love dogs but are allergic to them? Here, we look at what dog allergies really are, what you can do about a dog allergy, and some of the dog breeds that could be more suitable for those with dog allergies.

Understanding dog allergies

Allergens are usually harmless substances that trigger an immune response in people with allergies, resulting in symptoms such as sneezing and itchy eyes.

The main source of dog allergen is a protein found in dog saliva, but dander (made up of skin particles) is thought to contain allergens as well. As such, while all dog breeds can potentially cause allergies, the degree to which they are suffered will vary because of the variation in how much hair and skin flakes different breeds shed. Dog allergies, along with other types of pet allergies, are a common trigger for allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

Symptoms of dog allergies

Symptoms of dog allergies can include puffiness around the face, watery and/or swollen eyes, a runny nose, itching, and irritated skin. Allergic reactions can range from mild sensitivity to much more severe symptoms, depending on the individual person, as well as how much allergens you are exposed too.

Up to 50% of people with an animal allergy do not experience immediate symptoms. Additionally, many people with an allergy are actually sensitive to multiple allergens not just from their dog or pet, and so should focus on reducing all allergens they are exposed to rather than simply addressing their pet allergy alone.

Testing for dog allergies

You can see a doctor about getting skin prick tests or allergen specific IgE (RAST) allergy tests, and in some cases, you might have to see a specialist (such as an allergist or clinical immunologist) for the allergy testing.

Dealing with dog allergies as a dog owner

If you know you have a dog allergy then the best way to avoid triggering your allergy is to not buy or adopt a dog. However, if you already have a dog, you can avoid the drastic option of giving your beloved companion away by taking certain measures around the home and considering medication. If you do not have a dog but plan to welcome a canine companion to your family, consider choosing a breed that triggers less severe symptoms.

Minimise contact

Taking steps to minimise exposure to allergens will reduce symptoms. Other things you can do include cordoning off your bedroom, bed, and other personal areas, and make sure the dog is not allowed in these spaces. Though allergens will still spread into these areas through air currents and peoples clothing, not allowing your dog to spend time in these areas will minimise the amount of dander.

Keep canine companions off the couch

Train your dog to stop jumping on the couch, beds, or any upholstered furniture, as these can be rich depositories for dander and therefore may contribute to allergic symptoms. Allergen-resistant bedding and furniture can help reduce dander levels. Keep your dogs bedding in a dedicated zone or room in the house, well away from the spaces that the allergic family member tends to spend the most time in. Wash your dogs rugs, beds, cushions, blankets, and washable play items and toys regularly to avoid dander build-up.

Have your dog spend some time outdoors

Dogs, in contrast to cats, are a social species that do not do well outside away from the family for prolonged periods of time. However, one option to consider if your symptoms are very severe is to keep your canine family member outside for a few hours each day, perhaps when the allergic family member is most likely to be using shared spaces such as the kitchen and living room. If you do keep them outside, remember to provide them with plenty of shelter, water, and protection from the elements.

If you would prefer not to keep your pet outside, you might be able to achieve a similar result by quarantining your dog in a dedicated area when the allergic family member is using shared spaces.

Change clothes after contact

If you come into contact with your dog by petting or hugging them, wash your hands thoroughly, change your clothes, or take a shower to remove allergens and reduce the risk of having an allergic reaction.

Bathe and brush pets regularly

Have a non-allergic family member take your canine family member outside and brush him or her thoroughly at least once a week. Regular brushing and bathing can minimise dander levels on your dog and therefore deposits around the house, so make sure your pet is well washed and groomed. However, its important to note that if washed too frequently your dogs skin and coat may dry out, so try to only bathe them when necessary to avoid skin issues. If you are worried about how often you should be bathing your dog, its recommended that you speak with your vet for their advice. Use a hypoallergenic or oatmeal-based dog shampoo for best results, and remember to wash their bedding at the same time.6

Dust and clean often

To keep dander levels around the house to a minimum, have a regular dusting and cleaning program in place. In addition to cleaning your pets beds, toys, and blankets, for best results you should wash your own bedding, comforters, and sheets in hot water weekly. This will help you allergen-proof your bedroom and other areas.

Other items to clean, vacuum, or dust on a regular basis include your drapes, curtains, and furniture. Carpet cleaning is of course essential, but also keep items such as stuffed animals, sofa throws, and cushions clean, as these can also be powerful reservoirs for dander.

Using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter or a high quality secondary filter for your cleaning can help you achieve the best outcomes. Additionally, its probably best to vacuum only when the family member with the allergy is not at home, as vacuuming agitates surfaces and temporarily fills the air with allergens, including dander.

Use an air filter

Use portable or whole house air filters. HEPA-standard filters are the best types of air filters available. While high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters tend to be more expensive, they may be more effective at removing allergens than standard vacuum cleaners. However, they may lead to a temporary increase in dust mite allergens in the air. If you use a portable machine, focus on the areas where the allergic family member spends the most time in. If you have a whole house filter, make sure you set it to clean the air well before you get up or get home.

Research before you buy a dog

If you have not bought a dog and you know you have a dog allergy, make sure you do plenty of research before making a decision. It could be worthwhile to house-sit the breed you are thinking about adopting or buying before you actually bring a new dog home. This way, you can be certain that you can live comfortably with your new dog over the long term. Keep in mind, it is rare for allergy suffers to completely adjust to living with their dogs except for children, who may outgrow their allergies.

Also, remember its possible that you are allergic to a number of different allergens, not just dogs and dander. These can include dust, insecticides, pollen, and cigarette smoke. Get tested before making any major decisions.

Seek treatment

If you are considering medical treatment there are various options you can discuss with your doctor. Allergy shots or immunotherapy is one option, but while these can reduce or minimise symptoms, they are not able to fully eliminate them. This option works by gradually desensitising your immune system to dander by injecting allergy-causing agents under your skin. Depending on the severity of the condition, these shots are usually administered once a week for a period of time such as a few weeks or a couple of months and then follow-up doses once a month.

Other treatment options include steroids, antihistamine sprays or pills. Talk with your GP and/or allergist about what possible treatment options are right for you.

How long does it take?

Be patient as you clean out your home and start with your dander-minimisation practices. Its unlikely that you will be able to have instant relief from your allergy symptoms, even with vigilant housecleaning.

Find a less allergenic breed

While completely allergy-free breeds do not exist, some are considered more allergy-friendly than others as the nature of their coat or fur allows them to shed less dander and therefore release less symptom-inducing allergens. Remember, its possible to live with a dog even if you have a dog allergy, as long as you have a program for cleaning and managing allergens. Choosing the right breed can also help.

How different dog breeds rate for those with dog allergies

Theres no way to be 100% certain that a particular breed will not cause an allergic reaction. However some dogs are believed to trigger less allergy symptoms than others due to the nature of their coats. By spending some time with the dog before you buy or adopt, you may be able to determine how certain you are before committing.

These are some well-known breeds to look out for if you have allergies, as well as popular breeds with single-layered coats you can consider adopting if you are sensitive to dog allergens.

Breeds that shed less

Australian Terrier

The Australian Terrier is a smaller breed with a coarse-haired coat and topknot that makes it a wonderful watchdog and family companion. This breed is easy to care for provided you do some regular brushing and light trimming.

Maltese

The Maltese is another small dog with a silky, flat coat which may make it suitable for those with allergies.

Miniature Poodle

The Miniature Poodle could be a suitable dog for those with dog allergies as it is low-shedding. This intelligent breed has a curly coat that can be left to cord or clipped.

Irish Terrier

The Irish Terrier is known for being a hypoallergenic or non-allergenic breed. While it has a double coat, it is relatively low shedding and has dense, wiry hair that requires less maintenance.

Tibetan Terrier

This intelligent, affectionate, social dog has a double-layered coat but is considered to be a low-shedding breed, which makes it suitable for those with allergies.

Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier is the second largest of all terriers and is considered a low shedder that could be suitable for families with dog allergies. Intelligent with a strong personality, this dog makes a playful companion animal.