Over the years we have come across many problems with certain plants that can cause devastating effects to dogs. In one case a dog that we had bred and who had a very normal puppy hood suddenly appeared to have a server allergic reaction. Clinical signs were swelling of the face, scratching, eyes swelling, diarrhoea and weight loss.

Allergies are extremely hard to diagnose as it is a process of elimination and trying to work out if it is plant or food related. In this case it was plant related and the culprit Wandering Jew. The female Bullmastiff was rubbing up and down the fence where the Wandering Jew was growing, relieving her self from seasonal moulting. The only true test to see if what she had was an environment allergen or a food allergen was to remove her from her surroundings. Three days later her allergy started to subside thankfully. Since her owners moved house no more symptoms. After seeing how much damage a plant could cause to a dog I investigated a little further and spoke to specialists about problems of dogs being in contact with poisonous plants and was amazed to hear that almost 90% of allergies in dogs was pollen and plant related, and unfortunately some cases had been misdiagnosed as food allergies thus some dogs being left on medications for the rest of their lives and still in contact with the allergen. Other signs of plant allergies are watery irritable eyes, rash on the belly or other hairless areas like the nose constant rubbing and itching and biting their feet which is usually related to a grass allergy. When pollens are at their best spring airborne inhalants like tree and plant pollens can also have the same effect be observant have a look around your dogs environment see what is in flower. If it is a seasonal allergen it will most likely subside as the season wears on but again seek veterinary advice as in most cases an anti-inflammatory will need to be prescribed to relive your pet from these irritating symptoms.

I have compiled a list below of plants that can cause contact allergies.

Food Allergies

Occasionally dogs can suffer from food allergies or intolerance which can be caused by one or two ingredients in your dogs diet.  Symptoms of food allergies or intolerance are usually diarrhoea itching or vomiting or all three. Other symptoms can be yeast ear infections or bacterial skin infections. This is where the hard part comes finding out which ingredient is the culprit. The most common culprit in food allergies is protein e.g. beef, eggs, wheat gluten and lamb. As I had described in feeding that milk can also cause diarrhoea this would be considered as intolerance not an allergen.

Now comes your part where you will need to be prepared when you go to your veterinarian. Compile a list of what your dog has been eating this will help in trying to find out which offending ingredient is the culprit. In order to find what ingredient your dog is allergic to is a process of elimination, which will require a special diet which needs to also be a balanced diet. Special diets (for a special diet to work you must be prepared to only feed what your veterinarian has told you and not be tempted to feed anything else) are fed over a six week period sometimes longer if over this time itching diarrhoea occur again then you may be on the right track to finding the culprit. Obviously if you have found the ingredient that has been causing your dog grief then you avoid feeding him that particular ingredient. Be patient it will take time and there is no overnight cure.

Other Environmental Allergies
As I have described above there are other materials that your dog could also be allergic to house dust, moulds, soaps, insecticides, wool or nylon carpet, paint, metals plastics and wood preservatives. Again itchy skin and a process of elimination.

If your dog has not had an allergy before then it is most likely something new that he has been in contact with recently. Be observant watch what they are in contact with through the day. Have you tried a new cleaning product recently changed your dogs bedding it can be something simple or something that will take time and again a process of elimination.

By Rebecca Cherney