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Summer Street Vet

Is your dog extra itchy lately?

Allergies, Foot Licking, Chewing and Scratching

As the seasons shift, many dog owners notice their pets’ paws becoming extra itchy or they might start scratching even though they don’t have fleas. These are common signs of allergies in dogs and they typically are worse over Spring and Summer but can occur at any time of the year. This year, however, some dogs started showing symptoms as early as August, likely due to a variety of environmental factors such as increased pollen and mould.

Summer Street Vet - Is Your Dog Extra Itchy Lately
If you notice your furry friend scratching or licking their paws more than usual, it’s essential to pay attention to these signs as left untreated, they can worsen to the point of hair loss, painful and bleeding patches of skin and distress due to constantly feeling itchy all over.
Allergies appear when a dog’s immune system reacts to substances – known as allergens – that are generally harmless (e.g. pollen, dust mites, certain foods, flea bites). When a dog comes into contact with an allergen, their immune system produces antibodies and histamine, which causes symptoms like itching, swelling or gastrointestinal issues.

There are four main types of allergies in dogs:

 

  • Environmental allergies: These are triggered by airborne allergens like pollen, mould spores and dust mites.
  • Food allergies: Certain proteins (e.g. chicken, beef, dairy) can trigger food allergies in dogs.
    Insect allergies: Fleas, mosquitos and other insect bites can cause allergic reactions, with dogs itching and showing general signs of discomfort.
  • Contact allergies: These are triggered by direct contact with an allergen trigger, such as grass, chemicals, or fabrics.
Common signs of allergies in dogs

Some of the more common signs of allergies in dogs include:

  • Itching and scratching: Dogs excessively scratch, lick or bite their skin, especially around the face, ears, belly, armpits and paws.
  • Runny nose and eyes: Just like humans, dogs with allergies can have watery eyes and a runny nose.
  • Rashes or hives: Raised, red bumps or inflamed patches on the skin are common with allergic reactions. Hives appear as small lumps to patches of skin with swelling underneath, looking like “bumps” along the skin.
  • Hot spots: These are areas of inflamed, moist skin that can occur due to excessive licking or scratching. They may just be inflamed/ulcerated or become infected and have a layer of pus or dried scabbing on the surface.
  • Gastrointestinal issues: Dogs with food allergies can experience vomiting, diarrhoea or gas.
  • Ear infections: Recurring ear infections are usually linked to underlying allergies.

While there is no way to prevent allergies as it’s impossible to keep your pet away from many of the triggers, there are lots of things we can do to help from changing their diet, using soothing shampoos and fish oil supplements for milder cases through to tablets or injections for more severe allergies. Contact us to make an appointment and let us show you what we can do to help so that both your dog and you can be comfortable and relax again.