If you own a Labrador Retriever, it’s important to know about the allergies that they are most susceptible to. This way you can enhance their quality of life. Allergies in Labrador retrievers are just one of the issues labs have to deal with. There are other common diseases of the breed which will not be discussed here.
Labs are highly intelligent, exuberant, and loving animals, yet they can develop a number of allergy problems. Most of these conditions are treated with ease. But, it is essential to know the indications of allergies in your Labrador Retriever. This way you can manage them and enhance your dog’s quality of life. Read on to discover everything you need to know.
Are Labrador Retrievers prone to allergies?
Most dogs are prone to allergies, and unfortunately, Labs and Labrador Retriever puppies are not different. There is a long list of potential infections that can impact this dog breed, from bacterial allergies to food allergies.
A dog’s immune system is similar to ours because their organism tends to overreact when exposed to some allergens found in the home, such as bacteria, chemicals, food, or dust. This causes the production of immunoglobulin E, which is a type of protein that creates a reaction that releases histamines. Histamines are a dangerous chemical that can cause inflammation and irritation.
Some of the most common allergies you will find in Labs include inhalant allergies, bacterial allergies, contact allergies, flea allergies, and food allergies.
Inhalant allergies
Inhalant allergies, also known as atopy or atopic allergies, are prevalent among Labrador Retrievers. They are caused when your dog has an allergic reaction to inhaled or airborne allergens like pollen, dust, or mold. Simply put, inhalant allergies are like the canine equivalent of hay fever in humans.
Atopic Labradors will develop very itchy skin. They also scratch and bite themselves, often in the armpit area, groin, ears, face, and legs.
Some of the most common warning signs include yeast infections in the ears and skin, hair loss, and red, irritated skin.
Your vet will carry out either an IgE allergy test or intradermal test to get to the bottom of the issue. The latter involves injecting a small quantity of an allergen into the skin and observing the reaction. The IgE allergy test consists of a blood sample tested for IgE antibodies. An inhalant allergy is typically present if there is a higher number of IgE antibodies.
There are several different ways that inhalant allergies are treated. This includes injections that can desensitize your dog to the allergen, allergy shots, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Contact allergies in Labrador retrievers
There are many ways that your Labrador can develop a contact allergy. For example, your Lab could experience an allergic reaction to antibiotics applied to their skin to fight another illness or to any harmful substances in the environment.
Sadly, there are a number of other things that can cause contact allergies, including nickel, rubber, and even wool.
The allergic reaction tends to develop on parts of the skin with little or no hair, such as the lower abdomen, muzzle, and backs of the paws. This is because these areas of skin are most likely to have direct contact with the irritant.
You will probably notice that the impacted area is very red, with small blisters or bumps.
Your pet’s vet will need to carry out tests to determine what allergen your Labrador is reacting to.
Once the allergen is determined, removing it from the environment (if possible) is the best way to manage your dog’s allergies. If not, take steps to keep your dog itch-free and comfortable. This can include using glass or stainless steel bowls, as well as hypoallergenic detergents for your dog’s bedding.
Flea allergies in Labrador Retrievers
Flea allergies are one of the most common allergies that vets treat in dogs. Fleas thrive in the warmer, summer months, so you need to be extra cautious.
Flea allergies cause your Lab to itch, itch, and itch some more until their skin becomes patchy, inflamed, and raw – not nice at all!
The most common places you will find flea beats are on the base and back of your pup’s tail.
The best way to handle fleas is by taking preventative measures. This includes:
- Investing in flea medicine can help.
- Keeping your floors regularly swept and vacuumed.
- Grooming your dog frequently.
If you notice that your dog is itching a lot and seems uncomfortable, it is best to consult your vet for the best flea treatments or medicine.
Food allergies in Labrador retrievers
Food allergies are very common in Labs. Common allergic triggers include the proteins in eggs, soy, chicken, beef, dairy products, and wheat. Many owners who have a dog that experiences a food allergy may end up trying a raw diet to alleviate the symptoms. If you do this it is very important for you to be sure that the raw diet you feed is AAFCO compliant so that it provides all of the nutritional requirements that your dog needs. Just because a dog food is raw, or it is sold on the shelf at a pet store, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is nutritionally complete. One thing that some try before switching foods is using a probiotic such as this.
To get to the bottom of your dog’s food allergy, your vet will eliminate specific items from your Lab’s diet. To determine this your dog eats a veterinary diet specifically for canines with food allergies.
Unfortunately, Labrador Retrievers take longer than the usual six weeks to respond to a food diet trial. In some cases, it can take as long as three months to see a difference. While it can be hard to avoid giving your dog any table scraps or treats during this period, it’s important to remember that this is for your Lab’s comfort and well being.
If your dog experiences vomiting and diarrhea, your vet may prescribe medication. Once a diet is found that controls your Labrador’s symptoms, he or she will probably stay on it for life. In the meantime try to limit the different types of food and treats they are getting. It is best to treat with a single ingredient all natural treat as opposed to a cookie with many ingredients in it.
Bacterial allergies Labrador retrievers
Bacterial allergies can occur as a secondary infection to any of the allergic reactions mentioned.
Your Lab can often develop inflamed pustules or lesions due to hair loss and the skin irritation caused by another allergy.
For these, topical medications will typically be prescribed, such as sprays and ointments. Your dog will also be given a round of antibiotics.
If your Labrador does not respond to these treatments, scraping or a skin biopsy may be performed. The vet will search for evidence that the infection is symptomatic of a more severe medical condition.
Summary
Like people, your Lab puppy or Labrador Retriever can develop allergic reactions to substances in the environment such as insect bites, food ingredients, pollen, or house dust. Most allergies are treated with ease using antihistamines and antibiotics. However, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms so that you can act quickly and effectively.
