Dog Allergy Basics: Dermatology CSI
June 9th, 2010
Since dog allergies often manifest as itching and skin issues, pet parents turn to veterinary dermatologists for help uncovering the mysteries that may or may not be allergy related.
An Itch By Any Other Name
Rod Rosychuk, a board certified veterinary dermatologist and associate professor at the veterinary teaching hospital at Colorado State University, tells Dog Food Dish that unraveling the symptoms is “truly Dematology: CSI.”
“When presented with an itchy dog, we first have to recognize that there are things that can make dogs itchy that are not allergies (for example, bacterial infections, mite infestations),” he says.
Other Dog Allergy Hints or Indicators
Veterinarians, be they dermatologists or otherwise, look at a number of factors to help them figure out what’s what. This includes:
Breed – since some have a genetic propensity to develop atopy
Age of itchy onset – since food allergies show up in dogs a year old or less, while atopy usually emerges between 1-3 years of age and gets worse over time
Seasonality – since fleas and pollens tend to be worse in certain areas at certain times of year
Nature and location of skin problems and coat changes – since different kinds of allergies show up in different locations:
- Flea allergies = rump, back of thighs, groin areas
- Atopy or food sensitivity = face, ears, feet, armpits, flanks, private regions
Ruling Things In or Out
Often veterinarians must try various treatments as a test for symptom relief to figure out what’s going on. For example, if the doctor suspects flea allergies, and the dog responds well and improves after flea therapy begins, then the diagnosis is confirmed.
If symptoms continue, however, even after flea control, then the search for a cause continues and may include:
- Food trials lasting at least 8 weeks to test (We’ll talk MUCH more about food sensitivities and allergies in the coming weeks.)
- Bathing remedies aimed at getting pollens and other irritants off the dog’s coat
- More detailed “skin prick” tests or even blood tests looking for allergen-specific antibodies (IgE), especially if atopy is indicated
No Easy, Fast Answers
Slogging through the various tests and suspicions takes patience, and lots of it. It’s easy to get antsy when your dog is suffering, but if you seem to be facing a possible atopy or allergy diagnosis, try to hang in there with as much grace and ease as you can muster.
Chime In!
Do you have a dog allergy victory or scary tale to share? Let us know!
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Tags: allergies, dog, dog allergies, dog food, dog food allergy, food allergies, itching, veterinary dermatology
Posted in Dog Allergies, K9 Health, K9 Nutrition | 9 Comments »
9 Responses to “Dog Allergy Basics: Dermatology CSI”
A professional writer based in Colorado, Roxanne Hawn doesn't just love dogs. She deep-down requires them in life. Something inside her genes, perhaps? That's why it's such a joy to write about all things canine. Roxanne began writing about pets in 1995, when she worked for the American Animal Hospital Association and later for the American Humane Association. During this period in her career, Roxanne served on the board of directors for the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (a coalition of animal welfare groups). Roxanne also volunteered for many years at an animal shelter, where she witnessed firsthand what happens when the human-animal bond breaks or never forms.
Partial victory….
After going through elimination diets we did a blood tests and found out that Caffeine is allergic to a variety of environmental things, such as a bunch of pollens, mold. Storage mites are very high on the list, which is why we use a mix of home cooking and grain-free kibble.
Allergy shots seem to be helping too.
I’ve had plenty of dogs in my life and thank goodness, have never had any with allergies. This is good info, Roxanne!
Yes, Eric, those darn mites can be a BIG, BIG deal for people and pets. I’m glad you found some relief for Caffeine. I had the tests and allergy shots for many years as a kid. I’m MUCH better than I used to be (symptom wise).
Kerri … Amen to that. I’ve never had an allergic dog either. Knock on wood.
Great info, Roxanne. I have 2 Bichons and one is always itchy after he’s groomed, no matter what shampoo is used. Vet thinks he stresses himself out to the point of itching. And that’s being groomed at home by a wonderful family friend who happens to be a groomer.
That’s a possibility. Some dogs do amazing display of shedding and dander release when very, very stressed.
For Jersey it’s whatever pollen comes out in late August/early September. Poor baby will scratch off her hide unless she gets steroids. It’s not a solution that I’m thrilled with, but it’s only until the first frost, which is usually about a month.
Still battling through food trials here in Michigan. I got one down and that wasn’t even a food product but toothpaste (he needed a brushing so bad!). Now going on week three with no adds and I still can’t get him cleared up enough. Two weeks ago I switched his glass bowls back to his plastic bowls, now I’m thinking and hoping that is the culprit so we can clear him up and move forward again!
Very very good info here. I recall when my last cocker had allergies. We went through so many different foods before getting it right. This was before buffalo and the like were popular and available.
Interesting. I didn’t know that it was common for food allergies to show up under 1 year, and environmental over 1 year.
My dog is allergic to 20 different things, which was diagnosed via blood testing. She first started showing symptoms at 5 or 6 months old. Food trials helped me figure out that she was allergic to lamb. Blood testing diagnosed the egg allergy (which was confirmed later when she accidentally got into the cat’s special food which has eggs in it).
She’s also allergic to lots of grasses, trees, dust, mold, cockroaches, wool and HUMAN DANDER… I had no idea that was even possible.
I read every label, every time I buy something, even if I’ve bought it in the past. I read every label on my cats’ food too. She gets a daily allergy pill, and when pollen seasons starts, more baths. It’s a hassle, but she’s worth it.