Causes of dog allergies

The antigens that induce allergic reactions in dogs are called allergens. Allergens are necessary for allergies to occur. There are 2,000-3,000 common antigenic substances that cause allergic reactions, and nearly 20,000 are recorded in medical literature. They cause allergies in the body through inhalation, inhalation, injection or contact. Common allergens are as follows:

1. Inhaled allergens: such as pollen, catkins, dust, mites, animal dander, oil, paint, car exhaust, gas, cigarettes, etc.

2. Ingestible allergens: such as milk, eggs, fish and shrimp, beef and mutton, seafood, animal fat, foreign proteins, alcohol, drugs, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, sesame oil, flavors, onions, ginger, garlic and some Vegetables, fruits, etc.

3. Contact allergens: such as cold air, hot air, ultraviolet rays, radiation, cosmetics, shampoo, dish soap, hair dye, soap, chemical fiber supplies, plastics, metal jewelry (watches, necklaces, rings, earrings) ), bacteria, mold, viruses, parasites, etc.

4. Injectable allergens: such as penicillin, streptomycin, heterogeneous serum, etc. Penicillin is the first drug to cause drug allergies in dogs and cats; others are sulfa drugs, griseofulvin, cytosine and sulfadimethylisoxazole. For example: superficial exfoliation caused by quinidine; bullous sores caused by phenytoin; purpura caused by chloramphenicol; urticaria caused by tetracycline; fixed drug eruption caused by ampicillin, etc.

5. Self-tissue antigens: self-tissue antigens whose structure or composition changes due to mental stress, work pressure, microbial infection, ionizing radiation, burns and other biological and physical and chemical factors.

Clinical symptoms of dog allergy

a), food allergy:

Make a diagnosis based on medical history and clinical symptoms. In addition, feeding the suspected food can be stopped for diagnosis.

1. Skin-type food allergy. Dogs usually experience systemic itching after eating, or erythema, papules and scales on the skin all over the body, hair loss, epidermis peeling or ulcers, urticaria and angioedema, pustules and otitis-like symptoms. .

2. Gastrointestinal symptoms, mainly watery diarrhea and vomiting after eating, mild intestinal inflammation, severe hemorrhagic colitis, and bloody stools.

3. The gastrointestinal type and cutaneous type sometimes occur at the same time, but most are single types.

b), drug allergy

Diagnosis can usually be made through medical history investigation and reference to clinical symptoms. Diagnosis can also be made with drug withdrawal or drug provocation.

1. Since there are many causes of drug and vaccine allergies, their clinical manifestations are different, and specific symptoms are usually not obvious.

2. Its common skin symptoms include papules, pustules and bullae, bleeding, erosion, ulcers, scales and scabs, etc.

Preventive measures for dog allergies

1. To treat acute food allergies in dogs, oral or injected glucocorticoids and antihistamine drugs can be used.

2. Antihistamine drugs include diphenhydramine hydrochloride, chlorpheniramine, and pyrrolidone.

3. Stop feeding harmful foods and switch to hypoallergenic foods, such as lamb, cheese and rice. It is best to feed prescription foods to prevent food allergies.

4. Treat drug and vaccine allergies. For those with mild allergies, the allergy usually disappears within 1-2 days after stopping the allergenic drugs.

5. For those with severe allergies, adrenaline or prednisone can be used for drug treatment.

How to prevent dog allergies

1. Always maintain good ventilation habits indoors, which can effectively reduce the amount of dust in the room. A small number of dogs may be allergic to dust and other small substances.

2. Try to use materials that are not easily permeable and avoid materials that tend to trap dust and debris, such as cloth curtains, bedding and carpets. Carpets can carry a hundred times more allergens than floors. If you can't remove the carpet, you'll need to clean it regularly.

3. Sofa covers, bedding, curtains, dog’s nests and toilets should be changed regularly. Use a micro filter on your vacuum cleaner to clean up allergens more efficiently.

4. The dog can be combed outdoors, so that the dander and coat can be left outside to ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of the indoor environment.

5. Bathe the dog regularly. The allergens carried by the dog are no less than those in the outside world. Although foreign products have been developed that can reduce allergens by simply spraying on animal fur, research shows that bathing dogs regularly is more effective. An American allergy and asthma expert believes that using some professional products every day to wipe off the saliva and dander on dogs can achieve the same effect, without making dogs who are afraid of water suffer the pain of bathing. Normally, companion animals should not be bathed more frequently than once every 10 days.