Dogs experience allergies and asthma as humans do. Chemical histamine releases within the body occur when a dog comes into contact with an allergen. Histamine causes a dog's nasal passages and airways to become inflamed and fill with mucus and leads to swelling of the epidermis. Inflammation and blockage of the breathing passages leads to constricted breathing in the lungs exhibited by an array of canine symptoms and associated behaviors.
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Symptoms
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Dog allergies manifest with symptoms such as skin irritation, congestion, sneezing, watery eyes and decreased energy levels because of discomfort. Allergic dogs exhibit behaviors such as paw-licking, ear-itching, face-scratching and gnawing or biting of the hair and skin.
Dog asthma symptoms include coughing, wheezing or whistling while breathing, shortness of breath and heavy panting that can be accompanied by fatigue or confusion. Allergic canine asthma episodes result from exposure to allergies versus non-allergic asthma causes such as weather changes, exercise, anxiety and pollution.
Inhalant Triggers
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Dogs with allergies can suffer from inhalant allergens that are breathed through the nose, eyes or mouth. Triggers include pollen, mold, dust mites and chemical irritants. Dogs with seasonal allergies to pollinating trees present symptoms of congestion, conjunctivitis and allergic asthma while outside or after being outside on high pollen count days. Dogs with indoor allergies to household causes such as mold and dust mites exhibit year-round allergy and asthma symptoms that exacerbate when indoors for long period of time.
Food Allergies
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Canine food allergies take time to appear, often causing reactions after years of a dog consuming a particular type of food. Canine food allergies are indicated by belly itching, frequent ear infections, digestive problems and decreased appetite. Relief of food-related symptoms requires changing the type of food a dog eats. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the most common food allergens include beef, chicken, eggs, corn, wheat, soy and milk.
Pest Reactions
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Some dogs are sensitized to parasite allergies to pests such as ticks and fleas, experiencing severe itching at the bite spot. The allergy results from a reaction to pest saliva. Dogs itch and lick the area of the bite, causing more skin damage which can lead to dermatitis infections. Stress and anxiety from parasite bites can cause asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue in predisposed dogs.
Treatment
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Canine allergies and asthma are treated with oral and topical antihistamines, corticosteroids, ear drops and allergy shots. Preventative measures include changing dog food, bathing an allergic dog regularly with hypoallergenic shampoo and maintaining dog bedding and toys by washing them with a gentle detergent. Monthly application of flea and tick control medications decreases pest allergies. Providing ventilation and calming a dog during an asthma attack helps reduce spasms. Dogs with chronic asthma can be injected with emergency epinephrine during an asthma attack.
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