That itchy pup

As with people, about 50% of canine patients have some degree of allergy issue. Food allergies, the hot topic on Dr. Google and with pet food marketing, actually accounts for only 4% of allergies, but when you think about 4% of 50% … well that’s a lot of dogs.
A. Canine Atopy – Most canine allergies are atopic, meaning the allergens go in one place, the respiratory tract, but symptoms are manifested in a different location, the skin. Dogs breathe in the same pollen, molds, mildew and pollutants that we do. However, their reaction is primarily manifested as itchy skin rather than sneezing, wheezing, runny nose and eyes.
B. Contact Allergies – This results from direct contact with resins and other plant secretions as well as pollens, etc. These are the dogs that chew and lick on their feet … all night long … when the family is trying to sleep.
Concepts:
Dogs ain’t people and people ain’t dogs!!!
One big factor with canine allergies is that it is NOT primarily a histamine based issue. Ever wonder why antihistamines work well for you, but not for Farfle the dog. (See #1 above) But … antihistamines may help and are relatively cheap, available over the counter and carry low risk as long as Farfle isn’t operating heavy machinery. Veterinarians, including those on staff at AVC may prescribe antihistamines in lieu of other medications.
The heaviest concentration of allergens is found where? Down there where Farfle lives! He gets heavy doses down there. Check out the yellow stuff on your shiny black Cadillac every Spring morning.
Langerhans Receptors in dog skin react to allergens that fall directly on the skin. Regular bathing helps eliminate these contact point reactions, but considering the trillions of particles in the air, bathing is probably most effective if performed TID to QID … that is 3 – 4 times DAILY. Farfle says, “Nope! Ain’t happnin’!!!”
Dogs don’t routinely wash their feet when they come inside. This simple act of physically removing allergens can provide surprising relief. And yes, just as in #4, lotsa foot washing.
Corticosteroids usually work quite well to reduce allergy symptoms … and bring a load of lovely side effects … excess thirst, excess urination as in Farfle better have a doggie door, increased appetite, panting and with long-term use can cause myriad organ abnormalities. The best way to use steroids is described this way: Informed and Judicious. Thank goodness, gone are the days that licensed, well-meaning veterinarians would send home dispensing envelopes of those little pink (or white) pills designated as “Itch Pills”. Steroids still have their place when used with discretion and judiciously. Steroids remain on the cheap end of the scale for short-term, limited, judicious use. Have we judiciously emphasized judicious???
Far better medications are now available by way of incredible advances in biochemistry, physiological processes and genetics. The two that we find have far surpassed their lofty marketing expectations are the injectable monoclonal antibody, Cytopoint and the oral tablet Apoquel, an enzyme inhibitor. We will talk about these amazing products on their own.