Allergies in Dogs Target Skin
My-Dog.info > Dog Health
Dogs can get allergies just as people can. Atopy (also known
as allergic inhalant dermatitis) is a disease that occurs in
humans, dogs and cats. It is an inherited disorder that causes
patients to become sensitized or allergic to allergens in the
environment. It is a common disease that affects 10 to 15 per
cent of the canine population. However, the signs of allergies in
dogs are very different from those seen in humans.
Although the age of onset is usually between one and three
years of age, atopy can start at any age. At first, the allergy
may surface during a particular season, but as the patient gets
older, the signs of allergy tend to worsen and last all year
long.
The main signs of atopy are mainly itchiness and scratching in
one or more of the following areas:
- Face - rubbing of the face, including around the eyes,
ears, and muzzle. There is often a history of chronic
recurrent ear infections.
- Paws - dogs with atopy often bite, chew and/or lick their
paws.
- Groin/underarms - there may be chewing, licking, biting
and/or scratching between the back legs (groin) and/or
the armpits.
Eventually, the itchiness may involve the whole body.
Respiratory signs, such as sneezing, wheezing, and coughing,
rarely occur. If left untreated, atopy can lead to secondary
infections, including bacterial and yeast infections. An
infection can make itching even more severe, as well as
complicating the treatment of this disease.
Your veterinarian diagnoses atopy by means of a thorough
history-taking and physical examination. If necessary, an allergy
test may be done to confirm the diagnosis while at the same time
determining what it is that your dog is allergic to.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
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