Signs Your Pet is Having an Allergic Reaction

Humans and pets both can have allergic reactions to a wide range of allergens. This can include insect bites or stings, certain foods, drugs, and even environmental substances. It’s extremely important for pet owners to be familiar with various symptoms so that their furry friend can receive the proper medical attention. If you are questioning the severity of your dog’s allergic reaction, contact your vet and immediately go to the emergency vet room. It’s better to be overly cautious. 

Here are 5 signs that your dog is having an allergic reaction:

Itchiness and Hives

Itchiness is one of the most common signs of an allergic reaction. If you notice your dog scratching or see redness on the skin, this could be an allergy. If this is the only symptom you notice, wait a day or two to see if anything changes. If the reaction worsens see the vet immediately and if the symptoms stay the same it’s still recommended to schedule an appointment with your local vet. 

Face Swelling

Dogs with swollen faces are reacting to some type of insect bite or sting. Puffiness can occur around the muzzle, ears, and eyes. If this is the case for your dog, it is likely that they can go into anaphylactic shock. It’s recommended to bring your dog to the emergency vet to get this treated immediately. It’s important to get a swollen face treated quickly to prevent the situation from getting worse.

Diarrhea & Vomiting 

If your dog is experiencing diarrhea or vomiting it’s important to schedule an appointment with the vet right away. This could be due to something your dog ate, but also could be a sign of an anaphylactic reaction. Diarrhea and vomiting are very harmful to dogs because they can become extremely dehydrated.

Anaphylaxis

The most severe type of allergic reaction is anaphylaxis. This causes your body to go into a state of shock resulting in decreased blood pressure and difficulty breathing. If this is not treated in a matter of minutes this could be fatal. If your dog has ever experienced an anaphylaxis reaction it’s important to have that documented in their records.