Food Allergy in Dogs by Sara Bijnaam
Food Allergy in Dogs
Food ingredients most commonly responsible for allergies are beef, chicken, fish, eggs, corn, wheat, soy and milk. The tendency to develop allergies is genetically determined. Dogs with other allergies like inhalant allergies or atopy may be at increased risk for developing a food allergy.
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A Food allergy is ruled out by feeding a diet consisting solely of food ingredients to which the animal has not been previously exposed - an elimination food trial. This trial should be performed for 8 - 12 weeks before considering expensive tests for other types of allergies.
Initially, food allergy causes non-seasonal pruritus. The onset of clinical signs usually is not related to a change in the diet. In fact, it is a common misconception that food allergy occurs shortly after changing an animal's diet. Most animals diagnosed with food allergy had developed allergy to a food that had been fed for many years often more than two years. Food allergy can develop in response to virtually any ingredient of the diet.
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Clinical Signs of Food Allergy in Dogs
- Muzzle, paws, armpits, groin, rump and ears are commonly affected areas of the body.
- Localized or generalized pruritus (itchiness)
- Otitis externa, or inflammation of the ear canals. Ear inflammation sometimes may be the only clinical sign of food allergy.
- Recurrent moist dermatitis
- Pododermatitis, which is inflammation of the paws including the skin between the digits
- Recurrent skin infections including superficial bacterial infection (pyoderma) and yeast infection (Malassezia dermatitis)
- A variety of primary and secondary lesions. These include papules (small red raised lesions), generalized redness of the skin, excoriations (moist lesions resulting from self-trauma), hyperpigmentation, epidermal collarettes ("bull's-eye" lesions), and seborrhea. The clinical signs and distribution of lesions may be indistinguishable from those found in dogs with atopy.
- Diarrhea may occur in 10 percent of cases, but is not common.
Secondary infections should be identified and treated appropriately. Skin scrapings or ear swabs should be examined under the microscope to investigate the possibility of Malassezia dermatitis as a contributing factor for pruritus or itchiness. The diagnosis of superficial pyoderma is based on the presence of papules, which are small raised red lesions; pustules; epidermal collarettes, also known as bull's-eye lesions; and evidence of bacteria inside inflammatory cells on microscopic examination. All affected dogs should have skin scrapings performed to rule out the possibility of demodectic mange.
Treatment In-depth
Avoidance is the best therapy. About 80 percent of food allergic patients can be managed with commercial diets. A small percentage of food allergic animals, however, may require homemade diets and in those animals it is important to insure that the diet is balanced and nutritionally adequate. When avoidance is not feasible, cortisone-like drugs (corticosteroids) may be used. Some food allergic animals, however, respond poorly to corticosteroids and, as a general rule, the efficacy of this type of therapy tends to decrease over time.
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About the Author
Sara Bijnaam is an animal enthusiast. She writes about the care, health and training of dogs and cats, among other animal-related topics. Inspired by her pets, past and present, they have provided abundant learning opportunities and inspiration.
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