Allergies in Beagles: causes, diagnosis & treatment
My Beagle Cocoa sometimes suffers from allergies
Allergies in Beagles are unfortunately all too common and can be frustrating to diagnose and treat. Symptoms of allergies in Beagles can be triggered by specific foodstuffs, environmental pathogens, and insects. These allergic reactions can cause a wide range of skin problems, as well as digestive issues and weight loss.
A range of different allergens can trigger symptoms in Beagles, including certain foodstuffs, airborne pollens, and chemicals used around the home. If you suspect that your Beagle might be suffering from allergies, we've got everything you need to know right here.
1) What are allergies in Beagles?
Allergies in Beagles occur when the immune system responds inappropriately to a substance that would not normally pose a threat to the body. This leads to an excessive reaction, causing a wide range of symptoms that can affect various different body systems.
Some Beagles are born with allergies, while others develop them later in life. Allergies are normally a life-long condition, so learning how to manage and treat this problem is essential to keep your Beagle comfortable and in the best of health.
Unfortunately, this is a topic that I am all too familiar with, as my Beagle Cocoa suffers from allergies. She is mildly allergic to beef and other meat proteins, so needs easy-to-digest medicated food to keep this under control.
Cocoa was also allergic to the washing powder we used to use, which caused horrible sores on her belly. Although it took us a long time to figure out what was causing her sores, thankfully it was an easy fix - we switched to an organic detergent and the sores completely went away.
Cocoa does still get some ear infections and goopy brown tears, which our veterinarian suspects is allergy-related, but these are much less frequent than they used to be. With the help of regular vet checks and good hygiene measures, these problems don't hold Cocoa back from living life to the full!
2) Common allergies in Beagles
Although there is no data available on the prevalence of allergies in Beagles, it is thought that up to 15% of the canine population suffer from some form of allergy. Let's take a look at the most common triggers of allergic reactions in dogs:
a) Food allergies
Although less than 2% of dogs suffer from true food allergies, over time many do develop intolerances to certain foodstuffs which can trigger similar symptoms to an allergic reaction. The most common food triggers of food allergies in dogs are beef, dairy products, chicken, and wheat. Beagles with food allergies or intolerances can develop skin problems or digestive system issues.
b) Environmental allergies
There are two groups of environmental allergies in Beagles - airborne and direct contact. Airborne pathogens include pollen, dust, mold spores, or perfume, while direct contact occurs when the dog touches plants, grasses, fabric fibers, or chemicals. Environmental allergies tend to lead to symptoms of the skin and respiratory tract.
c) Insect allergies
Fortunately, Beagles are not often allergic to insects, but flea bites can be a problem. Some dogs are allergic to flea saliva, a condition known as Flea Allergic Dermatitis (FAD). For these poor Beagles, just one flea bite will cause incessant itching and sore, inflamed skin.
3) Symptoms and diagnosis of allergies in Beagles
Just as many things can cause allergies in Beagles, numerous different allergic symptoms can occur. This makes diagnosing allergies in Beagles very tricky, and often it can be impossible to pin down the exact cause.
If your Beagle has any of the following symptoms, allergies could be the cause:
· Respiratory tract symptoms: Sneezing, wheezing, coughing, nasal discharge.
· Digestive tract symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss.
· Skin symptoms: Itchiness, inflamed skin, runny eyes, ear infections, hives, constant licking.
It is important to remember that these can all be symptoms of other diseases and disorders, so if you have any concerns, contact your veterinarian straight away.
Although the symptoms of allergies in Beagles can be mild at first, they can become more severe over time and lead to long-term problems. Chronic digestive allergies can cause weight loss and muscle wastage, while skin allergies can lead to permanent hair loss and skin thickening. Prompt diagnosis will help to get the symptoms quickly under control.
Diagnosis of allergies in Beagles can be a lengthy process and may include blood tests, saliva tests, and skin allergen testing. Elimination trials, where a specific foodstuff is removed from the diet, can also help to pin down the cause of your Beagle's allergic symptoms. Our vet recommended an elimination diet for Cocoa, but unfortunately the results were inconclusive. Your veterinarian may ask you to keep a diary recording your Beagle's symptoms and any changes to their diet or routine - by noting any patterns in your Beagle's condition, the potential cause can be narrowed down or even identified.
4) How do you treat a Beagle with allergies?
The ideal way to treat allergies in Beagles is to remove the cause of the allergic reaction - provided you can figure out what it is in the first place!
Food allergies and intolerances can often be resolved by switching to a hypoallergenic diet, and a good flea prevention strategy will help to keep FAD under control.
Environmental allergies can be trickier to treat, as even if the cause can be identified, the source may be impossible to eliminate. For example, if your Beagle turns out to be allergic to grass pollens, these can be blown into your yard and home from all around the neighborhood.
To help your Beagle with environmental allergies, switch household cleaning products to organic options where possible, and vacuum regularly to minimize dust and mold spores. During periods of high pollen production, keep your Beagle indoors during the morning when pollen counts are the highest.
In the case of severe or chronic allergies, your veterinarian may also advise symptomatic treatment to help keep your Beagle comfortable. Medications such as antihistamines or corticosteroids suppress the allergic response, and soothing shampoos reduce skin inflammation and itching. Probiotics can help ease digestive system issues, and regular ear cleaning reduces the risk of ear infections.
It is clear to see that allergies in Beagles can be a debilitating and uncomfortable condition, causing many unpleasant and long-lasting symptoms. However, with a prompt diagnosis and consistent care, it is quite possible for your Beagle with allergies to live a long and happy life.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:
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