Allergies in dogs

the main route of allergen exposure for humans is through the respiratory system. In dogs, allergens can pass through the skin. But, many people don’t associate skin problems in dogs as a sign of allergies. Veterinarians can provide topical treatments, like special shampoos, antihistamines, corticosteroids and, if an infection is present, antibiotics. Some dogs benefit from omega-3 fatty acids supplements. In cases of severe or persistent symptoms, a veterinary dermatologist should be consulted.

The key to treating allergies in dogs is to reduce the animal’s exposure to the allergen. That can be tricky if the source of problem isn’t known. Veterinary dermatologists can perform allergy testing on dogs, similar to the test used for humans. A section of fur is shaved and marked in a grid. Then small amounts of potential allergens are injected under the skin. If the animal reacts to one or more the allergens, those sections of the grid will have a red and/or raised swelling. Once the allergens are identified, a dog can be given allergy shots. In some studies, allergy shots are close to 100 percent effective in reducing or eliminating allergy symptoms in the animal.

Food allergies are trickier to narrow down. To start, the dog is typically placed on a very restricted prescription food. Then, one kind of food product at a time (such as beef) is introduced for a few weeks. If the dog develops renewed signs of allergy to the food, it should be eliminated from the diet.