Inhalant allergies and food allergies represent the most common reactions, not related to parasites, in dogs. Most of these allergy problems are not life threatening but interfere with the full enjoyment of life because of the annoyance of skin, gastrointestinal, and respiratory problems. Besides being a source of discomfort to the dog, they are also frustrating to the owner looking for a solution to the problem. Allergic inhalant dermatitis is one of the most common skin problems presented to the veterinarians. Affected dogs react to a variety of inhalants including house dust, feathers, grass, tree and weed pollen.
Moulds often cause allergies and occur all year long.
They produce a vast number of small spores that outnumber even the pollen in the air. This is especially hard on owners of hunting dogs as the allergy causes immediate reaction of wheezing, coughing, chewing at the feet and discharge in the eyes. More often though, inhalant allergies will show up as they affect the skin. Dogs develop itchiness, hair loss and hives in the groin, flanks and armpits. Many dogs rub their faces on the furniture to relieve the itching and inflammation on the face and ears.