Canine Skin Allergies

The primary symptoms of canine skin allergies are scratching and itching. Unfortunately, there is a long list of potential causes for itching, so diagnosis can be challenging for your veterinarian. In addition, the scratching can become so intense that your dog develops a hot spot.

Reactions to flea allergies, food allergies, and atopy (an allergic hypersensitivity affecting areas not in direct contact with an allergen) are the most common causes for hot spots (single, intensely itchy lesions caused by self-inflicted trauma to the skin) in dogs. Itching and scratching, excessive shedding, skin irritations, and skin problems such as sores and scabs, ear infections, and bad odor can all be the result of canine allergies. So your veterinarian will often first suspect canine atrophy or skin allergies when a hot spot develops.

Pollens, grass, mold spores, foods - all the same allergens that can affect humans - can cause allergies in your dog. Even people dander can potentially create a problem. Allergens are prevalent in most homes, in the carpets, the beds, the duct system, the linens.

Determining if your dog has a skin allergy is often done with intradermal testing and/or blood testing because medications can interfere with a skin test. An initial diagnosis may be made based on your dog's history. However, to pinpoint the allergens causing problems for your dog, your veterinarian will generally want to draw blood and run an allergen panel. This will test the known allergens in your area.

The first step in treatment is to avoid the irritating allergens. For instance, changing your air filters and using air conditioning can reduce your dog's exposure to pollen. Keeping your dog inside in the early morning and late afternoon can also be helpful, as can wiping down your dog down with a damp towel after he's been outside.

Bathing can also be helpful, though only hypoallergenic shampoos should be used. Rinsing should be thorough, and you'll want to use a hypoallergenic cream rinse or spray to remoisturize the skin after every bath.

Then there's immunotherapy. This is when your veterinarian uses an allergy-specific vaccine. Generally, your dog will be on this therapy for the remainder of his life. Most dogs will improve with the vaccine, though you may not see results for three to six months. In addition, after the initial series of injections, boosters will be required, often every 1-3 weeks.

Topical steroids can be helpful if the itching is localized.

Canine skin allergies can be difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat, but they can be controlled. As with any potential health risk to your dog, always consult your veterinarian.