There are different types of allergies that can plague your dog, like flea and food allergies. One of the most common pet allergies is atopic dermatitis; it is caused by environmental allergens like pollens, molds, and household dander. When humans come in contact with these environmental allergens, the contact usually causes sneezing and watery eyes and the reaction is treated with over the counter medications. However, when dogs come in contact with the same allergens, they develop different symptoms. If your dog is suffering from atopic dermatitis, your pet may exhibit the following:
Dog with Atopic dermatitis - Extremely itchy skin;
- Bumps that look like acne or ant bites on the skin;
- Shaking of the head often;
- Excessively licking or chewing of the paws;
- Hair loss; and/or
- Foul odor coming from the pet’s skin.
- Bumps that look like acne or ant bites on the skin;
- Shaking of the head often;
- Excessively licking or chewing of the paws;
- Hair loss; and/or
- Foul odor coming from the pet’s skin.
The presence of these symptoms in your dog signals the need for an examination by a veterinarian. A good physical exam and simple skin tests will help rule out other possible issues such as a parasite or an infection cause by either bacteria or yeast. If the underlying factors for parasites and possible infection have been eliminated and your dog is still itchy, then an allergy test will be recommended to identify the environmental allergen(s) which may be causing the symptoms listed above. To conduct the test, a veterinarian will draw some blood and send it to a laboratory specializing in pet allergies for analysis. As part of the analysis, the lab will test the blood against the most common pollens (weeds, trees, and grasses) found in Georgia, household danders, molds, and insects. The results are sent back to the veterinarian who then uses the results to better understand the cause(s) of your dog’s symptoms and the best way to manage these symptoms.
Sample results of Allergy Testing from VARL
While there is no cure for atopic dermatitis, the use of medications, like steroids or cyclosporine, or immunotherapy make the itchiness manageable. Treatment options are determined by the presence of seasonal or non-seasonal atopic dermatitis. Mild cases or seasonal atopic dermatitis can be managed by the use of corticoid steroids, like prednisone, and antihistamines until the season passes; it is important to note that long term steroid use can cause liver damage and the likelihood of other diseases, so always use steroids as directed by a veterinarian. However, the presence of non-seasonal atopic dermatitis requires treatment using medications that can be used long- term. The most common medication used for chronic long- term use is cyclosporine; it is commonly referred to as Atopica. While Atopica is an effective treatment for non-seasonal atopic dermatitis, the best treatment long-term treatment is immunotherapy. Immunotherapy consists of a series of injections; the injections are made from the known allergens identified in the allergy test sent to the laboratory. Immunotherapy helps desensitize your pet to the offending allergens to help decrease the reaction to them over time, and it is a lifelong treatment. Contact Greenbrier Veterinary Services to see how to manage your dog’s itchy skin.
Medications and shampoos that are available at Greenbrier Veterinary Services to help with Allergies
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