Dogs and people share many traits, among them having allergies and allergic reactions. But not all allergies show up the same way, and at first glance, pet parents might not know if their dog has seasonal allergies, food allergies, or something else.
Understanding the signs of allergies in dogs can help reveal possible solutions, including whether pet parents should reach for over-the-counter medications or head to their local vet clinic. It is always important to rule out other underlying conditions, such as skin parasites, before treating them for allergies.
Canine allergies can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening, so the sooner a pet gets a diagnosis and treatment, the sooner they can feel better.
What is an allergy?
An allergy starts with an allergen—typically a foreign substance or food component—that doesn’t usually bother the canine body. A dog’s immune system creates immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in defense, reacting to this allergen by releasing chemicals like histamines to stop it from spreading further.
Why dogs get allergies
Allergies are multifactorial and have multiple causes, and some canine allergies have external and internal (i.e. genetic) connections. While some allergies come from a naturally bothersome source, others are due to certain genetic differences that inappropriately ramp up the immune response of individual dogs or entire breeds.
Allergic disease can run in families, and they can run in breeds as well, making genetic history important for breeding decisions and individual medical history. Pet parents may find that genetic testing—like DNA tests from Embark—can help identify breed traits…
Signs of Allergies in Dogs: Types and What to Look For. Retrieved August 21, 2021 from https://embarkvet.com/resources/blog/signs-of-allergies-in-dogs-types-and-what-to-look-for/
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