A diagnosis of dog allergies can often be a challenging task. This is because many of the symptoms of dog allergies are often similar to other diseases and conditions that may affect your pet. Even if you are able to determine that the signs and symptoms are a result of an allergic reaction, it can still be difficult to narrow it down to a specific allergen as the root cause.
Many dog allergies share similar symptoms, but with a little time and effort it is possible to narrow down it down to one of the more common dog allergies.
Common Symptoms of Dog Allergies
- itching (mostly around the face, chest, and belly)
- sneezing
- coughing
- wheezing (similar to an asthma attack)
- watery eyes
- hot spots
- constant licking (especially in the sides and the groin area)
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- itching skin
- excessive scratching
- licking
- hot spots
- skin infections
- ear infections
- hair loss (excessive shedding)
Flea and Other Parasites
- intense itching
- scratching
- chewing
- biting (especially the tail, stomach or legs)
- hot spots
- inflammation
- skin infection
- hair loss (excessive shedding)
Contact Allergy (contact dermatitis)
- hives
- rashes or red itchy bumps
- blisters
- hot spots
- darkening of the skin
- thickening of the skin
- intense scratching
- hair loss (usually in chronic conditions)
Less Common Symptoms of Dog Allergies
These symptoms as less common, but are more severe allergic reactions:
- hives (Urticaria)
- swelling of the face (Angioedema)
- Anaphylaxis
- shock
- respiratory failure
- cardiac arrest
- death
As you can see, several of the symptoms of dog allergies as similar across the different types of allergies. But the most common allergic reaction is dry and itchy skin. It is characterized by constant scratching, flaking, and scabbing. The bad thing is that your dog may scratch so much that sores can develop, which can lead to an infection. This presents a whole new set of problems.
Hot spots and hair loss are other common symptoms of dog allergies that can occur.
Seeing your dog suffering from any of these symptoms can be troubling and often quite scary. If you notice your dog showing signs of any of these reactions and you suspect that it is allergy related, schedule a visit to your veterinarian. Your dog’s vet can help you to determine the type of allergy and, depending on how severe the symptoms are, will determine what type of treatment would be most effective.
Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on to the next article, How To Identify Allergies in Dogs, or go back to the previous article, Common Dog Allergies.
Best,
Omar Reyes
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