Anyone who has ever seen a dog go into anaphylaxis, or even just watched a social media video or looked at a photo, will never forget it. Dogs that have had an anaphylactic reaction to something like an insect bite or bee sting can experience severe facial swelling along with other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, itchy skin, and hives.
A dog with an overly bulging face or lips may look amusing, but anaphylaxis in dogs is so serious that it requires urgent treatment by a veterinarian. Read on to learn everything you need to know about anaphylaxis in dogs.
What is anaphylaxis in dogs??
Anaphylaxis is an unusually severe, rapid-onset allergic reaction to an allergen or foreign protein. Almost anything can cause anaphylaxis, but it’s usually due to bee stings and insect bites. “Any substance that the body recognizes as a foreign substance can provoke a reaction and often the offending agent is never found,” says Dr. Lisa Osier, of VCA Veterinary Hospital in Virginia. “Dogs with severe food allergies can react to a protein in the food. Other possible causes include medications and vaccinations.”
What are the signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis in dogs??
Osier says signs of anaphylaxis in dogs can include:
- face swelling
- rash
- red or itchy skin
- drooling
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- shortness of breath
- tongue may be blue
Once the reaction is complete, the signs can be obvious and dramatic, with lots of swelling and hives, and potentially vomiting and diarrhea. However, the early signs of anaphylaxis can be difficult to spot.
“You may see a dog yawning a lot or scratching its face, a sign that it is itchy,” says Dr. Keith Harper, of Hayward Veterinary Hospital in California. You may also see red skin or hives — raised bumps on your body. The rash or red skin is easily seen on dogs with short, light-colored fur. These markings may be harder to notice in dogs with dark colors or those with thick, smooth coats.
How quickly will you see anaphylaxis in dogs?
Often, the owner does not know what causes the reaction; they only noticed the symptoms after the fact. However, if you think your dog was stung by a bee or bitten by an insect, watch closely for any signs of an early reaction. Dr. Harper says people usually notice signs that their dog is not well within 30 to 45 minutes, possibly even quicker.
How is anaphylaxis more severe than an allergic reaction?
According to Dr. Osier, a dog with an underlying allergic reaction may have similar signs, such as rash, redness, and itching, but these symptoms are usually much less severe and localized to one area. skin area. Anaphylactic reactions affect the entire body and are life-threatening if the dog’s breathing is restricted.
Anaphylaxis can be even more dangerous for dogs with compromised airways, such as short-headed breeds such as Boxers, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Shar-Pei, and Shih Tzus. “All of those breeds have very short noses, very thin noses, and long pieces of tissue that go into the back of their throats, so if they have any problems with their ability to breathe that’s it,” says Dr. serious.
What is anaphylaxis in dogs?
Anaphylaxis is a very serious complication of anaphylaxis. “The blood vessels dilate (larger), making it harder for blood to reach vital organs,” Dr. Osier explains. The blood then cannot supply nutrients and oxygen to the cells in the body, causing them to die and lead to organ failure.
Is anaphylaxis common in dogs?
Dr. Osier says that anaphylaxis is not uncommon in the veterinary emergency setting. Because almost anything can cause this disease in dogs, the incidence is unpredictable.
“The likelihood of an anaphylactic reaction is thought to be genetic,” she said. “If a pet’s parent or littermate has a reaction, they are more likely to have it too.”
That said, any dog can have a reaction to any substance, including insect bites and stings, vaccines, drugs, food, or almost anything.
How is anaphylaxis in dogs treated?
If you think your dog is experiencing anaphylaxis, remove the allergen if you know what it is (if you see a bee sting, remove it), then seek medical attention. veterinary emergency immediately.
When your dog arrives at the veterinary hospital, the veterinary team will do a thorough assessment, take your dog’s temperature, and check for heart rate and respiratory rate. If the sting or other foreign body remains, the veterinarian will remove it.
Treatment usually includes IV catheterization and fluids, as well as corticosteroids and antihistamines. In severe cases where a large amount of swelling affects the dog’s airway, your veterinarian may place a breathing tube to help the dog breathe until the swelling goes away.
Your veterinarian will keep your dog in the hospital for observation until the symptoms of anaphylaxis go away and your dog is stable and comfortable. This can last several hours or longer, depending on the severity of the reaction.
What is the prognosis of anaphylaxis in dogs?
Although most cases of anaphylaxis respond well and quickly to treatment, Dr. Osier says the prognosis is cautious because anaphylaxis can be fatal. The quicker you get your dog to the vet, the better your dog’s chances of survival and speedy recovery.
Are there EpiPens for dogs?
EpiPen is the brand name of a device that automatically injects epinephrine, a medication that treats symptoms of an allergic reaction. In human medicine, doctors may prescribe EpiPen for people with severe allergies.
Veterinarians can also prescribe EpiPens for dogs. Although anaphylaxis is less common in pets than in humans, some dogs with severe anaphylactic reactions may benefit from having an EpiPen at home. If your vet thinks it’s a good idea to keep an EpiPen on hand for your dog’s use, he or she can write you a prescription and instruct you on when to use it and how to properly use the device.
Never use a human-prescribed EpiPen on your dog without talking to your veterinarian. The dosage may not be correct for your dog and you may not know how and when to use it properly.
What if my dog has a mild allergic reaction?
If your dog seems to have a mild allergic reaction to something – itchy or red skin, pimples or rashes on the skin – but no swelling or trouble breathing, remove the allergen (if you know what it is). If your dog has something on his skin that makes him itch, you can bathe him to get rid of him.
Call your vet to see if she thinks you should come or stay home and monitor your dog. If the reaction develops, take your dog to the vet right away, especially if you notice any swelling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Anaphylaxis is less common in dogs than in humans, but it can happen to any dog at any time. Often, pet owners may not know what caused anaphylaxis, but notice the dog reacting suddenly. Regardless of what’s causing it, get your dog emergency veterinary care if you suspect an anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis in dogs can progress quickly and, if left untreated, can be fatal.
