When your dog accompanies you outside, they are exposed to several allergens. These allergens can cause allergies that show certain signs and symptoms. Allergies are not limited to humans but are also prevalent among pets like dogs.
It is essential to be mindful of the different signs that your pet may exhibit when suffering from skin allergies. This way, you will know what to do next and prevent any further harm or discomfort on their part. Here are some common signs that your dog might have an allergy.
Itchy Skin
Itchy skin is one of the most common symptoms of skin allergies. The itching can be caused by food allergies, flea allergies, bacterial infections like yeast and staph infections, and parasites such as mites or lice. Even reactions to medications or toxins can cause itchy patches of skin in your dog’s coat.
If your puppy has itchy patches on his body or paws (like at the base of his tail), look for signs that they might have developed a secondary bacterial infection. When these occur, there will be swelling and redness around the area where the primary allergic reaction occurred. If this happens to your dog’s paw pads or toes, see your vet immediately so they can prescribe antibiotics as soon as possible.
Hair Loss
Hair loss is a common sign of allergic skin disease. If your dog has been losing hair over an extended period (i.e., longer than two weeks) and it’s not due to other factors like fleas or infections, they may have an allergy.
When looking for signs that your dog might be suffering from skin allergies, look for large bald patches on his body. It is often indicative of a food allergy since dogs with such sensitivities often develop them around their stomach area first before spreading outward in different directions like wildfire. It happens because the immune system reacts similarly across all body parts when they’ve ingested something they’re sensitive to.
It’s essential to note that there can be many causes behind this type of allergic reaction, so don’t jump to conclusions immediately. It could be something as simple as fleas causing irritation around their neck. In such cases, we recommend using anti-flea treatments instead because those are more straightforward fixes than trying another brand of food when dealing with a dog that keeps getting sick after eating certain foods but doesn’t show any immediate signs until later down the road.
Scabs and Redness
A dog with a skin allergy may have redness, swelling, and scabs. The signs are different depending on the dog’s age, breed, and gender. For example, a puppy may have patches of fur missing from its belly or elbows. A female dog might have red sores around her vulva that resemble an infection. An older male dog might develop bumps on his penis.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, getting a diagnosis from your vet is essential to begin treatment as soon as possible. In many cases, skin allergies are treatable with medication prescribed by your vet, like Apoquel for dogs. Apoquel is an effective medication to treat symptoms of skin allergies. However, they can cause more severe health issues like infections or kidney failure if left untreated.
Eye Discharge
If you notice that your dog’s eye is watering or has a discharge, it could be a sign of an allergy, eye infection (conjunctivitis), or an injury. Although allergies and conjunctivitis can cause eye discharge, they can also indicate more serious conditions like glaucoma and corneal ulcers. Therefore, if your pet is having trouble seeing due to watery eyes or discharge from the eyes, consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
A red or yellow discharge from a dog’s eyes may signify conjunctivitis — inflammation of the mucus membrane lining the eyelid — but could also be caused by an injury to the cornea or other tissue in the eye itself. A cloudy white substance might suggest a corneal ulcer or further damage to this sensitive part of your canine’s body. However, it could also just mean they ate too much cheese before bedtime. If this doesn’t sound like something worth panicking over, it probably isn’t. But don’t forget, if left untreated, both cases could lead to more severe health problems down the road.
Swollen or Itchy Ears
Your dog may have an ear infection if it has swollen or itchy ears. Ear infections are often caused by allergies when the body overreacts to a particular substance like pollen or grass. If your dog has an allergy and gets into contact with that allergen, their immune system will release histamines which cause swelling and itchiness in his ears.
While the best treatment for skin allergies is usually keeping them out of contact with allergens, some medications can help treat ear infections caused by skin allergies. In some cases, dogs do better on variations of Apoquel for dogs than they do on steroids alone.
Paw Licking and Chewing
Paw licking and chewing are other common signs of dog allergies. Many dogs may lick their paws when they are itchy or uncomfortable. But if your dog’s paw licking is excessive, it could be a sign that there’s an allergy problem at hand.
The most common causes of paw licking are fleas and other parasites such as mites or lice. If you suspect your dog has an allergy to fleas or other parasites, you can use a topical insecticide. However, suppose this doesn’t seem to be the case for your puppy after using it for a week without any changes in behavior. In that case, they may have another type of allergy (such as food allergies).
Runny Nose, Sneezing, and Coughing
A runny nose, sneezing, and coughing are some of the dogs’ most common signs of allergies. Several things, including allergies, can cause these symptoms. However, if you notice these symptoms when your dog is around other animals or people, it may be possible that they have an allergy to something in their environment.
If your dog has developed a runny nose after being exposed to something new, like a new pet or carpet cleaner, then it’s likely that they need time to adjust to the new addition. But if they continue having problems after spending time with other animals or cleaning products, then it’s probably best not to be around them anymore.
These are some telltale signs that your dog has a skin allergy. If you think your dog is suffering from one, the best thing to do is visit a veterinarian. Allergies are severe and should not be taken lightly.