If it all possible, it is best to avoid the allergens that cause your dog’s anaphylaxis. For dogs with mild anaphylaxis to vaccinations, it is okay to continue giving them annually as long as you give an injectable antihistamine a few minutes prior to the vaccine. For dogs with severe anaphylaxis due to vaccines, your vet may recommend that you skip all future vaccinations.
Dogs with food allergies tend to benefit from novel protein or hydrolyzed protein diets, and a food elimination trial is necessary to determine the exact cause of your dog’s food allergy. Food allergy “tests” that rely on blood, hair, and/or saliva samples for diagnosis are not reliable.
Environmental allergies may be more difficult to avoid if they are endemic in your area. Intradermal skin testing for allergies can be performed to determine the worst allergens and then are used in the form of immunotherapy. This is like a vaccine for your dog and it “reboots” the immune system so that future allergic reactions are much less extreme. Antihistamines, topical medications, shampoos, and anti-itch medications like Apoquel can all help mitigate clinical signs from skin and ear allergies.
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Anaphylaxis can affect almost any dog, and the response can vary from mild to severe. In cases of severe anaphylaxis, your pup can go into shock. This is a medical emergency and means that you should contact your veterinarian right away. Anaphylactic shock can be fatal if left untreated.
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