One
of
the
most
conditions
affecting
dogs
is
allergy.
In
the
allergic
state,
the
dog's
immune
system
"overreacts"
to
foreign
substances
(allergens
or
antigens)
to
which
it
is
exposed.
These
overreactions
are
manifested
in
three
ways.
The
most
common
is
itching
of
the
skin,
either
localized
(one
area)
or
generalized
(all
over
the
dog).
Another
manifestation
involves
the
respiratory
system
and
may
result
in
coughing,
sneezing,
and/or
wheezing.
Sometimes,
there
may
be
an
associated
nasal
or
ocular
(eye)
discharge.
The
third
manifestation
involves
the
digestive
system,
resulting
in
vomiting
or diarrhea.
There
are
five
known
types
of
allergies
in
the
dog:
contact,
flea,
food,
bacterial,
and
inhalant.
Each
of
these
has
some
common
expressions
in
dogs,
and
each
has
some
unique
features.
One
of
the
most
common
conditions
affecting
dogs
is
allergy.
In
the
allergic
state,
the
dog's
immune
system
"overreacts"
to
foreign
substances
(allergens
or
antigens)
to
which
it
is
exposed.
Contact
allergy
is
the
least
common
of
the
five
types
of
allergy.
They
result
in a
local
reaction
of
the
skin.
Examples
of
contact
allergy
include
reactions
to
flea
collars
or
to
types
of
bedding,
such
as
wool.
If
the
dog
is
allergic
to
such
substances,
there
will
be
skin
irritation
and
itching
at
the
points
of
contact.
Removal
of
the
contact
irritant
solves
the
problem.
However,
identifying
the
allergen
can
require
some
detective work.
Flea
allergy
is
common
in
dogs.
A
normal
dog
experiences
only
minor
irritation
in
response
to
flea
bites,
often
without
any
itching.
On
the
other
hand,
the
flea
allergic
dog
has
a
severe,
itch-producing
reaction
when
the
flea's
saliva
is
deposited
in
the
skin.
Just
one
bite
causes
such
intense
itching
that
the
dog
may
severely
scratch
or
chew
itself,
leading
to
the
removal
of
large
amounts
of
hair.
There
will
often
be
open
sores
or
scabs
on
the
skin,
allowing
a
secondary
bacterial
infection
to
begin.
The
area
most
commonly
involved
is
over
the
rump
(just
in
front
of
the tail).
The
most
important
treatment
for
flea
allergy
is
to
get
the
dog
away
from
all
fleas.
Therefore,
strict
flea
control
is
the
backbone
of
successful
treatment.
Unfortunately,
this
is
not
always
possible
in
warm
and
humid
climates,
where
a
new
population
of
fleas
can
hatch
out
every
14-21
days.
When
strict
flea
control
is
not
possible,
corticosteroids
(or
"cortisone"
or
"steroids")
can
be
used
to
block
the
allergic
reaction
and
give
relief.
This
is
often
a
necessary
part
of
dealing
with
flea
allergies.
Fortunately,
dogs
are
more
resistant
to
the
side-effects
of
steroids
than
humans,
so
much
of
what
you
know
about
the
side-effects
in
people
do
not
apply
to
dogs.
If a
secondary
bacterial
infection
occurs,
appropriate
antibiotics
must
be used.
Staphylococcus
(Staph)
is a
bacterium
found
on
normal
dog
skin.
If
the
skin
is
normal
and
the
dog's
immune
system
is
normal,
Staph
causes
no
problems
to
its
host.
However,
some
dogs
develop
an
allergy
to
this
bacterium.
When
this
happens,
the
dog
develops
areas
of
hair
loss
that
look
much
like
ringworm.
They
are
often
round
and
½ to
2
inches
in
diameter.
These
same
lesions
develop
in
true
Staph
infection;
they
are
easily
treated
with
certain
antibiotics,
but
the
Staph-allergic
dog
has
recurrent
"Staph
infections."
The
lesions
will
usually
clear
with
appropriate
antibiotics
but
return
as
soon
as
antibiotics
are
discontinued.
After
a
while,
some
dogs
become
resistant
to
antibiotic
treatment.
Treatment
of
Staph
allergy
involves
antibiotics
to
control
the
immediate
problem
and
desensitization
with
Staph
antigen
for
long-term
relief.
The
most
common
type
of
allergy
is
the
inhalant
type,
or
atopy.
Dogs
may
be
allergic
to
all
of
the
same
inhaled
allergens
that
affect
humans.
These
include
tree
pollens
(cedar,
ash,
oak,
etc.),
grass
pollens
(especially
Bermuda),
weed
pollens
(ragweed,
etc.),
molds,
mildew,
and
the
house
dust
mite.
Many
of
these
allergies
occur
seasonally,
such
as
ragweed,
cedar,
and
grass
pollens.
However,
others
are
with
us
all
the
time,
such
as
molds,
mildew,
and
house
dust
mites.
When
humans
inhale
these
allergens,
we
express
the
allergy
as a
respiratory
problem;
it
is
sometimes
called
"hay
fever."
The
dog's
reaction,
however,
usually
produces
severe,
generalized
itching.
In
fact,
the
most
common
cause
of
itching
in
the
dog
is
inhalant
allergy.
Most
dogs
that
have
inhalant
allergy
react
to
several
allergens.
If
the
number
is
small
and
they
are
the
seasonal
type,
itching
may
last
for
just
a
few
weeks
at a
time
during
one
or
two
periods
of
the
year.
If
the
number
of
allergens
is
large
or
they
are
they
are
present
year-round,
the
dog
may
itch
constantly.
Treatment
depends
largely
on
the
length
of
the
dog's
allergy
season.
It
involves
three
approaches:
1.
Anti-inflammatory.
Anti-inflammatory
therapy
will
dramatically
block
the
allergic
reaction
in
most
cases.
Steroids
may
be
given
orally
or
by
injection,
depending
on
the
circumstances.
If
steroids
are
appropriate
for
your
dog,
you
will
be
instructed
in
their
proper
use.
Antihistamines
can
be
of
value
in
treating
the
allergic
dog
when
they
are
combined
with
steroids.
In
some
dogs,
antihistamines
can
significantly
decrease
the
amount
of
steroid
needed
to
provide
relief.
Fatty
acid
supplementation
can
also
be
implemented
with
steroids
and
antihistamine.
When
the
three
of
them
are
combined,
most
allergic
dogs
are
significantly
improved.
This
is a
non-specific
approach
which
does
not
treat
the
allergy,
only
the
complications
of
the
allergic
state (itching).
2.
Shampoo
therapy.
Many
dogs
are
helped
considerably
by
frequent
bathing
with
a
hypoallergenic
shampoo.
It
has
been
demonstrated
that
some
allergens
may
be
absorbed
through
the
skin.
Frequent
bathing
is
thought
to
reduce
the
amount
of
antigen
exposure
through
this
route.
In
addition
to
removing
surface
antigen,
bathing
alone
will
provide
some
temporary
relief
from
itching
and
may
allow
the
use
of a
lower
dose
of
steroids.
Antihistamines
are
usually
of
little
value
in
the
dog
but
can
be tried.
3.
Hyposensitization.
The
third
major
form
of
allergy
treatment
is
hyposensitization
with
specific
antigen
injections
(or
"allergy
shots").
Once
the
specific
sources
of
allergy
are
identified,
very
small
amounts
of
the
antigen
are
injected
weekly.
The
purpose
of
this
therapy
is
to
reprogram
the
body's
immune
system.
It
is
hoped
that
as
time
passes,
the
immune
system
will
become
less
reactive
to
the
problem-causing
allergens.
If
hyposensitization
appears
to
help
the
dog,
injections
will
continue
for
several
years.
For
most
dogs,
a
realistic
goal
is
for
the
itching
to
be
significantly
reduced
in
severity;
in
some
dogs,
itching
may
completely
resolve.
Generally,
steroids
are
only
used
on a
brief
and
intermittent
basis.
This
therapeutic
approach
is
recommended
for
the
middle-aged
or
older
dog
that
has
year
round
itching
caused
by
inhalant
allergy.
This
approach
is
not
successful
with
food
allergy.
Although
hyposensitization
is
the
ideal
way
to
treat
inhalant
allergy,
it
does
have
some
drawbacks
and
may
not
be
the
best
choice
in
certain
circumstances
and
for
these
reasons:
a.
Cost:
This
is
the
most
expensive
form
of
treatment.
b.
Age
of
Patient:
Because
many
dogs
develop
additional
allergies
as
they
get
older,
young
dogs
may
need
to
be
retested
1-3
years later.
c.
Success
Rate:
About
50%
of
dogs
will
have
an
excellent
response.
About
25%
get
partial
to
good
response.
About
25%
get
little
or
no
response.
The
same
statistics
are
true
for
people
undergoing
desensitization.
d.
Food
Allergies:
Although
tests
for
food
allergy
are
available,
the
reliability
of
the
test
is
so
low
that
it
is
not
recommended
at
this
time.
A
food
trial
remains
the
best
diagnostic
test
for
food
allergy.
e.
Time
of
Response:
The
time
until
apparent
response
may
be
2-5
months,
or longer.
f.
Interference
of
steroids:
Dogs
must
not
receive
oral
steroids
for
2
weeks
or
injectable
steroids
for
6
weeks
prior
to
testing;
these
drugs
will
interfere
with
the
test results.
Dogs
are
not
likely
to
be
born
with
food
allergies.
More
commonly,
they
develop
allergies
to
food
products
they
have
eaten
for
a
long
time.
The
allergy
most
frequently
develops
in
response
to
the
protein
component
of
the
food;
for
example,
beef,
pork,
chicken,
or
turkey.
Food
allergy
may
produce
any
of
the
clinical
signs
previously
discussed,
including
itching,
digestive
disorders,
and
respiratory
distress.
We
recommend
testing
for
food
allergy
when
the
clinical
signs
have
been
present
for
several
months,
when
the
dog
has
a
poor
response
to
steroids,
or
when
a
very
young
dog
itches
without
other
apparent
causes
of
allergy.
Testing
is
done
with
a
special
hypoallergenic
diet.
Because
it
takes
at
least
8
weeks
for
all
other
food
products
to
get
out
of
the
system,
the
dog
must
eat
the
special
diet
exclusively
for
8-12
weeks
(or
more).
If
positive
response
occurs,
you
will
be
instructed
on
how
to
proceed.
If
the
diet
is
not
fed
exclusively,
it
will
not
be a
meaningful
test.
We
cannot
overemphasize
this.
If
any
types
of
table
food,
treats
or
vitamins
are
given,
these
must
be
discontinued
during
the
testing
period.
There
may
be
problems
with
certain
types
of
chewable
heartworm
preventative,
as
well.
Your
veterinarian
will
discuss
this
with you.
Because
dogs
that
are
being
tested
for
inhalant
allergy
generally
itch
year
round,
a
food
allergy
dietary
test
can
be
performed
while
the
inhalant
test
and
antigen
preparation
is
occurring.
At
Down
South
Westies,
we
use
and
recommend
Flint
River
Ranch
Dog
Food.
For
Westies,
we
recommend
especially
Lamb
Meal
Millet
Rice
Dog
Kibble
because
it
has
no
wheat,
corn,
or
beef.
Check
it
out
and
read
about
all
the
ingredients.
It
does
not
have
all
the
preservatives
like
the
store
brands.
It
is a
little
pricey,
but
it
is
delivered
by
UPS
to
your
home,
straight
from
the
ovens.
You
can
only
purchase
from
a
distributor.
So,
check
out
my
website
and
if I
can
answer
a
question,
don't
hesitate
to
contact
me.
