Dog allergies and eczema

I hear that the number of people getting dogs has increased recently amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

First-time dog owners may be concerned about their pet's health, injuries, and illnesses.

I think dog allergies are a very common problem for dogs.

If your dog is constantly scratching itself or has red skin, you may be feeling anxious for the first time.

Accurately informing your veterinarian of your dog's symptoms and where itching is occurring can help alleviate painful symptoms.

Allergy symptoms in dogs

When you think of allergies in humans, you might think of symptoms like sneezing, but in dogs, allergy symptoms tend to be skin-related.

Depending on the allergy, symptoms other than skin itching may occur.

Food-related allergies can affect the digestive system, causing diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms.

Types of Allergies

Even dogs can have a variety of allergies.

Let's introduce each one.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis

This condition is caused by an allergic reaction to flea saliva, resulting in flea allergy dermatitis.

One of the characteristics of this allergy is intense itching.

Be careful during warm periods when fleas are more likely to inhabit, from the rainy season through autumn! They are said to thrive when temperatures are around 20°C and humidity is high.

Furthermore, due to the effects of global warming in recent years, they can thrive in winter and even inside homes, so the possibility of allergic reactions throughout the year cannot be ruled out.

Malassezia Dermatitis

Malassezia is a normal inhabitant of healthy dogs' skin and does not normally cause allergic reactions. However, because Malassezia feeds on dog sebum, many oily dogs may experience allergic reactions.

Shih Tzus, American Cocker Spaniels, and West Highland White Terriers, which tend to have oily skin due to genetic factors, are said to be more susceptible to this condition.

Other breeds that are not particularly oily, such as toy poodles, Yorkshire terriers, and Chihuahuas, are prone to allergic reactions due to low levels of Malassezia fungus.

Symptoms are most likely to occur in areas where the skin is rubbed, causing redness and itching.

Canine Atopic Dermatitis

The most common cause is an allergic reaction to indoor dust mites, but other allergies can also occur to mold, animal dander, pollen, etc.

Like Malassezia dermatitis, breeds of dogs that are often associated with genetics include Shiba Inu, French Bulldog, Retriever, Terrier, Pug, and Shih Tzu.

Scabies is most commonly seen in young animals, between 6 months and 3 years of age, but it can also occur in older animals.

Scabies

Scabies is caused by an allergic reaction caused by an infection with a mite called Sarcoptic mange.

Scabies is contracted through contact with dogs or other animals infected with Sarcoptic mange.

The dog mite is highly contagious.

One of the characteristics of scabies is its intense itching. It can cause red rashes and dandruff all over the body.

In addition, the intense itching can cause scratches when scratching the body.

Food Allergies

Food allergies are often caused by food proteins.

Most dogs develop food allergies at a young age, around one year of age, but they can develop at any age.

Symptoms include itching and redness, often seen on the face, groin, and paws.

Symptoms other than skin problems may include gastrointestinal symptoms such as loose stools and diarrhea.

About treatment, hospital diagnosis, and treatment

　

You may be wondering what kind of allergy you should have and how to deal with it. What kind of treatment will be provided at the hospital?

We will introduce each one.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis

Diagnosis at the hospital will involve checking for skin sores and scratches to see if there are fleas. Because symptoms resemble those of other allergies, skin tests may be performed.

Treatment involves eliminating fleas using anthelmintics.

There are various types of medications, including spot treatments and oral medications.

The first thing pet owners can do at home is to reduce the number of fleas in their homes.

To achieve this, clean and wash your pet's daily items to create a clean environment.

　

Malassezia Dermatitis

Treatment at hospitals and other facilities involves reducing Malassezia with antifungal medication.

What you can do at home is to remove the sebum that serves as food for Malassezia with shampoo or other treatments.

※Consult your veterinarian about the frequency of treatments based on the pet's condition!

Canine Atopic Dermatitis

The diagnosis at the hospital is a diagnosis of exclusion.

A diagnosis of exclusion involves ruling out other allergy possibilities one by one.

We will listen to the owner's detailed account of the onset of symptoms and conduct tests to identify the allergen.

Since it is difficult to completely eliminate allergens from atopic dermatitis, treatment primarily focuses on medications to suppress symptoms.

There are various types of medications, including oral and topical medications to suppress itching.

Injections may also be administered. Treatments may or may not be suitable for individual pets.

What you can do at home is shampoo. It's important to monitor the condition as you do so.

Scabies

To diagnose at the hospital, the doctor will scrape the surface of the skin to remove dandruff, search for mites, and if none are found, see if the skin condition improves with medication.

What you can do at home is to keep your pet clean, just like with flea allergies.

Food Allergies

Food allergies are diagnosed by administering a hypoallergenic or elimination diet for 8 to 12 weeks or longer.

Food allergies, if present, usually improve after administering an elimination diet.

What you can do at home is to monitor your pet's diet and prevent recurrence.

About prevention

Here are some things pet owners can do to prevent this.

Shampooing and Brushing

First, it's important to brush your pet regularly and check its skin condition. *Be careful not to brush too hard.

Shampooing moisturizes the skin and removes sebum and other impurities, so it's a good idea to shampoo your pet once or twice a week.

Fleas, ticks, and other infestations can be prevented with preventative medications, so we recommend using them.

Summary

Today, we've introduced allergy symptoms and eczema in dogs.

We've covered various topics, including the fact that dog allergies primarily affect the skin and the treatment options available. Some of you may be surprised to learn that dogs can also suffer from these allergies!

Let's do what we can as pet owners to protect our precious pets every day!