Archive >> Central >> November/December 2007 >> Articles >> It's Probably Allergy: Is Your Dog Suffering From Skin Problems?
06/Dec/2007
It's Probably Allergy:
Is Your Dog Suffering with Skin Problems?
By Dr. Tony Lobue
Crossroads Veterinary Clinic
Is your dog constantly scratching? Does he or she have hot spots? How about a rash?
Skin disorders are among the most common health problems in dogs. The condition of a dog’s skin and coat can be an important indicator of its general health.
There are many causes of skin disorders in dogs that can vary from acute, self-limiting problems to chronic or long-lasting problems requiring lifelong treatment. One common problem is allergic “atopy” skin disease.
Allergic Atopy Disease
Unlike humans who react to allergens with nasal symptoms, dogs react with skin problems. Canine atopy, a hereditary and chronic inhalant allergic skin disease, usually begins by ten months of age up to two years of age.
Inhalant allergies which can cause an allergic reaction in dogs are much the same as those which cause reactions in people. These include pollens, dust mites and molds. A clue to diagnosing these allergies is to look at the timing of the reaction. Does it happen year round? This may be mold or dust. If the reaction is seasonal, pollens may be the culprit.
Signs of inhalant allergies include: scratching, biting, chewing at feet, and constant licking. The itching may be most severe on feet, flanks, and armpits. Dogs may rub their face on the carpet. Ear flaps may become red and hot. Chronic ear infections may follow. Skin becomes thickened, greasy and has a strong odor. Hot spots may develop due to irritation from constant chewing or scratching, which is then followed by infection. Allergies have also been implicated as a possible cause of Acral Lick Granulomas, a frustrating resistant condition, whereby the dog creates a sore on his skin from constant licking.
Diagnosis
If a dog has the above symptoms and responds well to the treatment measures outlined below, no further diagnostic tests may be needed. If the problem is severe and does not respond to simple measures, allergy skin testing can be done.
A portion of the skin is shaved and a variety of substances are injected into the skin to see if they provoke a reaction. If so, an individual series of injections are formulated to give the dog over a period of time.
There are blood tests designed to identify allergens within our area without the skin testing. However, the skin testing has been proven more reliable.
Treatment Options
Symptomatic Therapy: A good medicated bath once a week is enough to control the itching in some dogs.
-Immunotherapy: Allergy shots are very safe and many people have great success with them, however, they are very slow to work. It may be six to twelve months before improvement is seen. The average success rate varies from 50 to 70 %. Before testing, your pet must be free from all steroids, oral or injected (including those found in ear and eye medicines) for a specified period of time in order for the test to be valid.
-Corticosteroids: These compounds reduce itching by reducing inflammation. Unfortunately, they also affect every organ in the body. Steroids should be considered only when the allergy season is short. The amount of drug required is small or as a last resort to relieve a dog in extreme discomfort. Side effects can include increased thirst and appetite, increased need to urinate and behavioral changes. Long term use can result in diabetes, decreased resistance to infection and increased susceptibility to seizures. You can recognize steroids by the suffix "-one", such as cortisone, dexamethasone, prednisone etc.. In short, alternatives to steroid therapy should always be considered first.
-Antihistamines: Antihistamines can be used with relative safety in dogs. About one third of owners report success with them. The major drawback, as with people, is sedation.
Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids. These fatty acids are natural anti-inflammatory agents. They reportedly are helpful up to 40% of allergic dogs. My own experience puts this figure a little higher. They are certainly worth a try because they are not harmful and have virtually no side effects. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oils (especially krill and cod) and omega-6 fatty acids are derived from plants containing gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), such as oil from the evening primrose. These supplements are different from those sold to produce a glossy coat. They tend to reduce inflammation that may lead to skin sores but are not as effective in reducing itching. Some of the products that contain both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids include: Omega Pet, Derm Caps, and EFA-Z Plus.
-Atopica (Cyclosporine): Is a new oral medication specifically developed for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. It has been proven highly effective in relieving symptoms without the long term side effects associated with steroids.
Environmental Control
If you know which substances your dog is allergic to, avoidance is the best method of control. Even if you are desensitizing the dog with allergy shots, it is best to avoid the allergen altogether.
Molds can be reduced by using a dehumidifier or placing activated charcoal on top of the exposed dirt in your house plants. Dusts and pollens are best controlled by using an air cleaner with a HEPA filter.
Air conditioning can also reduce circulating amounts of airborne allergens because windows are then kept closed.
Prevention
While there is nothing you can do to prevent a dog from developing allergies, breeders should be aware that allergic dogs SHOULD NOT BE BRED!!!
The second article in this two-part series will cover Food and Flea Allergy.
Is Your Dog Suffering with Skin Problems?
By Dr. Tony Lobue
Crossroads Veterinary Clinic
Is your dog constantly scratching? Does he or she have hot spots? How about a rash?
Skin disorders are among the most common health problems in dogs. The condition of a dog’s skin and coat can be an important indicator of its general health.
There are many causes of skin disorders in dogs that can vary from acute, self-limiting problems to chronic or long-lasting problems requiring lifelong treatment. One common problem is allergic “atopy” skin disease.
Allergic Atopy Disease
Unlike humans who react to allergens with nasal symptoms, dogs react with skin problems. Canine atopy, a hereditary and chronic inhalant allergic skin disease, usually begins by ten months of age up to two years of age.
Inhalant allergies which can cause an allergic reaction in dogs are much the same as those which cause reactions in people. These include pollens, dust mites and molds. A clue to diagnosing these allergies is to look at the timing of the reaction. Does it happen year round? This may be mold or dust. If the reaction is seasonal, pollens may be the culprit.
Signs of inhalant allergies include: scratching, biting, chewing at feet, and constant licking. The itching may be most severe on feet, flanks, and armpits. Dogs may rub their face on the carpet. Ear flaps may become red and hot. Chronic ear infections may follow. Skin becomes thickened, greasy and has a strong odor. Hot spots may develop due to irritation from constant chewing or scratching, which is then followed by infection. Allergies have also been implicated as a possible cause of Acral Lick Granulomas, a frustrating resistant condition, whereby the dog creates a sore on his skin from constant licking.
Diagnosis
If a dog has the above symptoms and responds well to the treatment measures outlined below, no further diagnostic tests may be needed. If the problem is severe and does not respond to simple measures, allergy skin testing can be done.
A portion of the skin is shaved and a variety of substances are injected into the skin to see if they provoke a reaction. If so, an individual series of injections are formulated to give the dog over a period of time.
There are blood tests designed to identify allergens within our area without the skin testing. However, the skin testing has been proven more reliable.
Treatment Options
Symptomatic Therapy: A good medicated bath once a week is enough to control the itching in some dogs.
-Immunotherapy: Allergy shots are very safe and many people have great success with them, however, they are very slow to work. It may be six to twelve months before improvement is seen. The average success rate varies from 50 to 70 %. Before testing, your pet must be free from all steroids, oral or injected (including those found in ear and eye medicines) for a specified period of time in order for the test to be valid.
-Corticosteroids: These compounds reduce itching by reducing inflammation. Unfortunately, they also affect every organ in the body. Steroids should be considered only when the allergy season is short. The amount of drug required is small or as a last resort to relieve a dog in extreme discomfort. Side effects can include increased thirst and appetite, increased need to urinate and behavioral changes. Long term use can result in diabetes, decreased resistance to infection and increased susceptibility to seizures. You can recognize steroids by the suffix "-one", such as cortisone, dexamethasone, prednisone etc.. In short, alternatives to steroid therapy should always be considered first.
-Antihistamines: Antihistamines can be used with relative safety in dogs. About one third of owners report success with them. The major drawback, as with people, is sedation.
Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids. These fatty acids are natural anti-inflammatory agents. They reportedly are helpful up to 40% of allergic dogs. My own experience puts this figure a little higher. They are certainly worth a try because they are not harmful and have virtually no side effects. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oils (especially krill and cod) and omega-6 fatty acids are derived from plants containing gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), such as oil from the evening primrose. These supplements are different from those sold to produce a glossy coat. They tend to reduce inflammation that may lead to skin sores but are not as effective in reducing itching. Some of the products that contain both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids include: Omega Pet, Derm Caps, and EFA-Z Plus.
-Atopica (Cyclosporine): Is a new oral medication specifically developed for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. It has been proven highly effective in relieving symptoms without the long term side effects associated with steroids.
Environmental Control
If you know which substances your dog is allergic to, avoidance is the best method of control. Even if you are desensitizing the dog with allergy shots, it is best to avoid the allergen altogether.
Molds can be reduced by using a dehumidifier or placing activated charcoal on top of the exposed dirt in your house plants. Dusts and pollens are best controlled by using an air cleaner with a HEPA filter.
Air conditioning can also reduce circulating amounts of airborne allergens because windows are then kept closed.
Prevention
While there is nothing you can do to prevent a dog from developing allergies, breeders should be aware that allergic dogs SHOULD NOT BE BRED!!!
The second article in this two-part series will cover Food and Flea Allergy.
