Allergies in pets can be broken down into two categories: Atopic allergies (environmental allergies) and Food Allergies. For information on Food allergies, please visit tippvet.com/foodallergies; for information on Atopic allergies, please read below.

Understanding Atopic Allergies in Dogs: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention

Welcome to our guide on atopic allergies in dogs. Atopic dermatitis, often referred to as atopy, is a common allergic skin condition in dogs that results from an abnormal immune response to environmental allergens. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for atopic allergies is crucial for providing relief to our furry companions. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore atopic allergies in dogs, preventative measures, effective treatments, and specific medications used to manage allergic reactions.

What are Atopic Allergies in Dogs?

Atopic allergies in dogs occur when the immune system overreacts to environmental allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, mold, or certain grasses. These allergens can trigger an inflammatory response in the skin, leading to symptoms such as itching, scratching, licking, and skin inflammation. Atopic dermatitis is often characterized by recurrent flare-ups and can significantly impact a dog’s quality of life.

Common Symptoms of Atopic Allergies in Dogs:

Intense itching (pruritus)
Scratching, chewing, or licking at the skin
Redness and inflammation of the skin
Recurrent ear infections
Skin lesions, hot spots, or areas of hair loss
Secondary bacterial or yeast infections

Preventative Measures for Atopic Allergies:

Bathing: bathing your pet frequently during their allergy season can help reduce the amount of allergen making contact with the skin.
Omega-3-fatty acids: This is a systemic natural anti-inflammatory, it can help reduce inflammation by 15 to 25%. For more information on omega-3-fatty acids and how to dose your pet, please visit tippvet.com/omega3
Footbaths: Dipping your pets feet in a dilute soapy water when they come in from outside can physically remove allergens and reduce symptoms.
Maintenance Treatments: Finding treatments that help prevent your pet from having itching and secondary infections is very important at preventing flair ups. Even with proper preventatives, it is common to have flair ups that require stronger treatments.

Common Treatments for Atopic Allergies in Dogs:

Steroidal Anti-inflammatories: These help reduce inflammation and itching associated with atopic dermatitis. These medications can provide rapid relief and are relatively inexpensive but have side effects with long-term use, including increased thirst, appetite, and urination, and put your pet at risk of developing diabetes and liver issues. It can also suppress their immune system, which can have serious effects, including infections and cancer.
Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatories: This class helps block itch very effectively and has minimal side effects. It can be more expensive, but it is worth it to help reduce infections and improve quality of life for your pets. The options are Apoquel tablets and Cytopoint injections.
1. Apoquel – This is a daily medication used to reduce inflammation and block the itch signal from the skin to the brain. We recommend the lowest dose that prevents itchiness and redness. If your pet is itchy at once a day dosing, you may increase dosing to twice a day for 1 to 2 weeks. If your pet is not itchy at once a day dosing for a week, then try to discontinue it. If the itch returns at the lower dose, then go back to the last effective dose. If using this medication daily long-term, we recommend checking a blood profile (CBC) yearly to assess for side effects such as a low white blood cell count.
2. Cytopoint – This is an injectable monoclonal antibody that blocks a very specific itch pathway. It controls itchiness well in 90% of patients. This medication is effective for 4–6 weeks in the average patient, but may work for up to 10 weeks in certain animals. If your pet is still itchy within 48 hours please call as we are concerned that this will not work for them, or they could have fleas, infection, or food allergies.
Cyclosporine: Cyclosporine (Atopica) is an immunosuppressive medication that can help control allergic skin reactions in dogs with atopic dermatitis. It works by modulating the immune response to reduce inflammation and itching. While effective, cyclosporine can be expensive and takes 4 weeks to see an effect. I can cause decreased appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Allergy Immunotherapy: Allergy immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, involves administering small doses of allergens to desensitize your dog’s immune system over time. This can help reduce the severity of allergic reactions and improve your dog’s tolerance to allergens. While effective, allergy shots require a commitment to long-term treatment and usually takes 6 months to see a result. The initial testing is costly, and you can get varying results based on many factors.
Topical Treatments: Topical treatments, such as medicated shampoos, sprays, or ointments, can help soothe irritated skin, reduce itching, and prevent secondary infections caused by scratching. Look for products containing ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal, chlorhexidine, or ceramides to help hydrate and protect the skin barrier.

Here are a list of some of the more common topical products we use:

Dilute Bleach Solution – mix ½ to 2 Tablespoon of household bleach in 1 quart of water and spray your dog’s infected area (not around the mouth). Recommend spraying at least 2 times a day, but preferably 4 times per day. We recommend mixing up a new batch every day, as the chlorine dissipates quickly, which would lower the effectiveness. This mixture is dilute enough that it should not stain clothing or furniture and should be safe for your animal to lick. It is a very good antiseptic that can kill bacteria and yeast.
Genesis Spray – this is a steroidal anti-inflammatory spray that can be used as a sole anti-itch product or in conjunction with a systemic anti-inflammatory like apoquel or cytopoint. You spray the areas your pet is itching more frequently at first and then as it has an effect you reduce the frequency. The main advantage of this product is that it can help decrease itch but doesn’t have the systemic effects like an oral or injectable steroidal anti-inflammatory.
Medicated shampoos – these typically will have antiseptics to help reduce infections. There are other shampoos that help restore normal skin barrier function.
Leave on mousse products – these can have moisturizers, anti-inflammatories, or antiseptics. They stay on the fur for an extended period of time to have a longer lasting effect.

By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for atopic allergies in dogs, pet owners can improve their pet’s quality of life. If you feel like your pet could benefit from one or more of these treatments, please contact us at tippvet.com/appointment to schedule an appointment with our highly experienced veterinarians.