Just like the millions of Americans that suffer from allergies year after year, so do their family pets, particularly dogs.  It has been reported that 1 out of every 5 dogs in the United States suffers from some sort of allergy.  While these allergies are not life threatening, they can cause increased itchiness and scratching which can lead to problems down the line.

Allergies are caused when the immune system reacts abnormally to a common substance, such as pollens, dust, insect bites or even foods.  These offending substances are called allergens.  When these allergens are inhaled, ingested or when physical contact is made an allergic reaction occurs.

The most common sign of an allergy is excessive itchiness. Usually scratching associated with allergies is much more intense than normal and can result in rashes or "hot spots."  You may also notice hair loss in certain areas.  If allergies are left untreated, they may result in secondary skin infections caused by excessive scratching and grooming.  These infections usually need to be treated with oral antibiotics, at times these are used in addition to topical medications.

As was previously mentioned, there are several possible allergens that can cause reactions in dogs.  The most common form of canine allergy is Flea Allergic Dermatitis or FAD.  If a dog is allergic to fleas, just one bite can feel like one hundred flea bites, and can cause a severe itching attack that can last for weeks.  Complete elimination of fleas on the dog and in its environment is absolutely necessary to control FAD.  In recent years, technology has allowed us to do just that.  There are several effective products available through your veterinarian that can effectively control fleas on and around your pet.

Another possible cause for allergic reactions is a food allergy.  The symptoms are usually skin-related, but can also include vomiting and diarrhea.  The only way to control a food allergy is to recognize and eliminate the offending food.  This is done by conducting food trials--testing  which foods your dog can handle and which tend to encourage an allergic reaction.  There are several companies that now provide alternative ingredients in their pet foods, to accommodate dogs with food allergies.  Some of these ingredients include duck, venison, potato or rabbit.  Though it may take a while to pinpoint which foods are right for your dog, food allergies can definitely be controlled.

Atopy is the name used for allergies associated with inhaled pollens, molds, house dust and other airborne substances.  This type of allergy is almost always manifested by itchiness and scratching.  The most effective treatment of atopy is called immunotherapy.  Immunotherapy is a process whereby injecting larger and larger amounts of the offending allergens into the dog, the animal's immune system gradually becomes "desensitized" to these allergens.  This is very similar to the "allergy shots" that many humans receive from their doctors, and with very similar results.  In a large number of dogs, symptoms can be controlled safely and effectively using immunotherapy.

So, if you ever wondered why your dog kept you up all night scratching, it may very well be that your pet suffers from any one of the above-mentioned allergies.  Its definitely worth a trip to your veterinarian to determine whether or not your pet is prone to allergies or if any of the referenced treatments might help.  Many people do not realize that their pets can have allergic reactions--just like humans.  If you discover that your pet suffers from allergies, rest assured that there are safe and effective treatments that can help your pet feel and look better, and let you both rest a little easier.