Allergies in dogs

Allergy in dogs is usually a type of food allergic reaction, i.e. reactive hypersensitivity to an allergen found in food. External symptoms of allergy in dogs are typical - skin itching and various rashes. However, the main allergic process occurs inside the animal's body, where histamine allergy mediators are released.

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Causes of Allergies in Dogs

The causes of allergies in animals, as well as the etiology of allergies in humans, still do not have a common scientifically proven basis. The etiology of allergic reactions in dogs has been studied relatively recently and today there are dozens of versions, among which there is not a single statistically proven one. Among the causes that are most often found in scientific works of veterinarians, the following can be named:

• Violation of diet and eating habits;
• Drug allergy;
• Hereditary factor;
• Stress.

Allergy in dogs is pathogenetically explained by two mechanisms - an immune response and a non-immune factor. An allergen entering the body provokes excessive activity of the immune system and the release of a mediator of immediate reactions - histamine. The consequence may be a truly immediate allergic reaction, possibly the formation of CIC - circulating immune complexes (antigens, antibodies and complements C3, C1g, C4) or a delayed-type reaction is formed. Increased reactive sensitivity - sensitization can start before the allergen enters the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and it is also possible that it will occur after. The non-immune mechanism is manifested by idiosyncrasy to certain types of food. The difficulty in making a diagnosis is that it is almost impossible to clearly differentiate the immune and non-immune mechanisms of the allergic process. This is due to the polymorphic nature of allergies in principle and the variety of symptoms, which are very similar to the signs of other, non-allergic diseases.

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Symptoms of Allergies in Dogs

Among the symptoms of animal allergies, the most frequently recorded are:

• Itching of the skin in any part of the animal's body;
• Otitis externa;
• Gastroenterological symptoms: vomiting, flatulence, bowel disorder.

One of the most common and easily diagnosed causes is parasitic infestation, helminthiasis. But the most clinically manifested cause is considered to be nutritional imbalance. This is a common nutritional problem for all domestic carnivores, it is associated with the predominance of carbohydrate feed, cereals and sweets. In addition, some types of fish and factory-made chicken meat containing hormones and vitamin supplements for growth can also provoke allergies in dogs. With normalization of nutrition, adherence to a diet, allergies in dogs quickly subside, which is the main argument in favor of the food etiology of the occurrence of allergic reactions.

How are allergies diagnosed in dogs?

Modern veterinary medicine is equipped with quite informative laboratory methods, equipment and reagents. However, it is difficult to diagnose allergies in animals using a biochemical method due to the peculiarities of the immune system. The basic method for identifying allergies as the cause of symptoms of unclear etiology is a food test. If possible, all possible types of additives are excluded from the dog's diet, leaving only two - a protein source and a carbohydrate source. If the symptoms disappear with this diet, the test results are considered positive. As a rule, testing continues for at least 4 weeks and can last for two months. If the test is positive, the dog again receives the usual set of products that it was fed before the test. In case of resumption of allergic symptoms, the diagnosis of allergy is beyond doubt. It is also necessary to carefully examine the animal before testing to exclude the presence of external parasites (fleas), and anthelmintic prophylaxis is also carried out. All these measures are intended to ensure that the testing is as accurate, informative and not distorted by false results not directly related to allergies. In addition to the dietary test, provocation is also practiced. The process looks like this: over the course of 7-10 days, possible provocative products are gradually added to the dog's diet and the symptoms are monitored. As a rule, the reaction occurs quite quickly, no later than the second day of the test. If there are no symptoms, the cause of the disease should be sought in another way and allergies should be excluded. Basically, provocation is carried out using protein products - eggs, meat, fish, whole milk products, then raw vegetables are added. This is how an individual feeding regimen and diet are created, excluding the presence of provocative components in the dog's food.

Treatment of allergies in dogs

Allergies in dogs respond quite well to therapy, unlike allergies in humans, apparently due to a more stable and hardened immune system. Therapy consists of several directions. The first stage is neutralizing the irritant and eliminating contact with it. If it is a product, it is removed from the diet. If it is a helminth, appropriate antiparasitic treatment is carried out. Antihistamines are also used as symptomatic treatment. Ointments are prescribed externally - glucocorticoids that relieve itching and redness. If secondary infections are present, arising from scratches and wounds, antibiotics and mycoseptics can be prescribed, but not earlier than the second week from the start of the diet.

Allergy in dogs is the same disease of the century as human allergy. It should be noted that existing therapeutic antiallergic methods only relieve symptoms and alleviate the animal's condition. It is much more expedient to prevent allergies in dogs, carry out preventive measures, monitor the animal's nutrition and condition before an allergic problem arises.