Dogs can exhibit allergic reactions to other dogs. This allergy is not to the presence of another canine itself, but to specific proteins in their bodily secretions and shed skin. An allergic dog’s immune system mistakenly identifies these proteins as harmful, triggering an immune response. This leads to uncomfortable symptoms, similar to human reactions to environmental allergens like pollen.
Common Dog Allergens
The primary culprits behind a dog’s allergic reaction to another dog are proteins found in dander, saliva, and urine. Dander consists of microscopic flakes of dead skin cells that dogs shed. These particles disperse into the environment, carrying allergenic proteins that can become airborne, making them readily inhaled or come into contact with the allergic dog’s skin.
Saliva, transferred during grooming, licking, or through shared toys and water bowls, also contains specific proteins that can act as allergens. When a dog licks itself or another surface, these proteins dry and can become airborne or remain on surfaces. Urine, a less common source of airborne allergens, also contains proteins that can trigger a reaction if an allergic dog comes into direct contact with it or its dried residue.
Recognizing the Signs
A dog experiencing an allergic reaction to another dog often displays symptoms primarily affecting their skin. Intense itching is a common indicator, leading to excessive scratching, licking, and chewing. Owners might observe redness, rashes, or the development of “hot spots,” which are localized areas of inflamed and infected skin resulting from constant irritation. Hair loss can also occur in affected areas due to chronic scratching and self-trauma.
Beyond skin issues, some dogs may exhibit respiratory signs, including sneezing, coughing, or watery discharge from their eyes and nose. These symptoms suggest an airborne exposure to the allergens, similar to how environmental allergies manifest. While less common, certain gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting or diarrhea might also occur in some sensitive dogs. It is important to note that these symptoms are not exclusive to allergies to other dogs and can indicate various other allergic conditions, making professional veterinary diagnosis necessary.
Diagnosis and Management
Diagnosing an allergy to another dog begins with a thorough veterinary examination and a detailed history of the dog’s symptoms and exposures. The veterinarian will first work to rule out other common causes of similar symptoms, such as flea infestations, bacterial or fungal skin infections, or food allergies. This process involves skin scrapings, fungal cultures, or dietary elimination trials to narrow down potential triggers.
Once other conditions are excluded, specific allergy testing may be recommended to identify the exact allergens. Intradermal skin testing, where small amounts of suspected allergens are injected into the skin, can reveal immediate reactions, while blood tests measure specific antibodies (IgE) in response to various allergens. These tests help confirm if proteins from other dogs are indeed the cause.
Management strategies involve a combination of environmental control and medical interventions. Reducing exposure to the allergens, such as through regular cleaning of shared spaces, frequent bathing of the allergic dog, and minimizing direct contact with other dogs if feasible, can help lessen symptoms. Symptomatic relief may include antihistamines to reduce itching, corticosteroids to decrease inflammation, or medicated shampoos to soothe the skin. For long-term management, especially in severe cases, immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be considered. This treatment involves administering gradually increasing doses of the identified allergens over time to desensitize the dog’s immune system.