Allergic reactions in dogs | Dr. Justine Lee
Ever have an allergic reaction? The same can happen to dogs too! Allergic reactions are a very common cause for midnight visits to the emergency room for dogs.
Allergic reactions are often secondary to exposure to some type of antigen (an allergen). Unfortunately, we often never know the cause for the allergy reaction, but it can be due to numerous causes such as the following:
- Drugs (like vaccines, medications, antibiotics, etc.)
- Chemicals in the environment (from household cleaners like carpet cleaners, air fresheners, etc.)
- Bug bites (due to bee or wasp stings)
- Common natural allergens (like pollen, mold, etc.)
- Anything!
In dogs, signs of an allergic reaction include:
- Puffy face (e.g., swelling of the face and body)
- Hives
- Itchiness
- Redness of the skin
- Agitation/restlessness
- Feeling hot to the touch
Allergic reaction in a dog with facial swelling
Rarely, dogs can be life-threatening reactions but these are less common. Signs of severe allergic reactions that warrant an immediate visit to an emergency veterinarian include:
- Collapse
- Difficulty breathing due to inflammation or swelling of the throat/airway
- Shock (e.g., an elevated heart rate, low blood pressure)
- Abnormal heart rhythm
Treatment for an allergic reaction typically includes:
- Antihistamines (like Benadryl or diphenhydramine)
- Corticosteroids (like dexamethasone or prednisone)
- And rarely, epinephrine (for severe life-threatening reactions)
In severe causes, epinephrine, oxygen, corticosteroids, blood pressure and heart monitoring, and 24/7 care are imperative for best outcome and survival.
With mild allergic reactions, you can consult your veterinarian about just treating with Benadryl at home (make sure the Benadryl doesn’t have any added other ingredients). The dose of Benadryl is typically 1 mg per pound of weight of your dog (so a 50 pound dog would get 50 mgs of Benadryl).
When in doubt, know what warning signs to look for when it comes to an allergic reaction to keep your pet safe.
As previously published at www.pethealthnetwork.com
Hi Dr. Justine Lee,
Thank you so much for sharing about the causes and symptoms of having allergic reactions in dogs and also I thank you for the treatment you’ve given.
This article is very helpful for us since we have dogs at home. Great post!
Thanks so much – I hope your dog is doing okay! Thankfully, dogs RARELY get life-threatening allergic reactions!
Our 8 month old has been getting the itch ever since he turned 4 months old we’ve changed his food to Nutrish no grain food. We give him a bath with oatmeal dog shampoo yet he still has the itch what else could we do as a diet or a med to hepl him. Feeling frustrated
That’s b/c dogs are rarely allergic to grain – this is a common misconception. I would recommend seeking veterinary attention as it may be food allergies or atopy and you want to make sure your dog is worked up appropriately to rule out mites, mange, etc. before trying random food changes.