Urticaria or Hives is hypersensitivity or an allergic reaction to certain drugs or chemicals or something that the dog may have eaten.It has been known in some cases, even sunlight can lead to urticaria in a dog. While urticaria is not life-threatening, it may affect the throat making breathing difficult. Allergic reactions in dog breeds vary from mild to severe and one of the most severe of all allergic reactions is anaphylaxis. This allergic reaction affects various dog breeds and has life-threatening symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, sudden and drop in the dog’s blood pressure, swelling in larynx leading to obstruction of breath, and heart failure. On the other hand, urticaria leads to fast and furious swelling and redness of the dog’s lips. The allergic reaction also affects the area around the eyes and makes the neck region highly itchy. In some cases, hives can also appear. Typically, extreme cases of urticaria may lead to anaphylaxis.

About Urticaria

Urticaria is a reaction that is triggered by certain antibodies made by the immune system of the canine. When these antibodies are released in the system, they make basophils and mast cells (these are inflammatory cells) to release other substances leading to an allergic reaction in the dogs body

Allergic reactions from urticaria can happen in any dog breed profiles, age, or sex. While the impact of urticaria can be life-threatening in dog breeds, it can be treated with much success leading to long-term wellness and health in the animal.

Symptoms of Urticaria

Caused as a hypersensitive reaction to chemicals, drugs, food, and sometime even sunlight, urticaria affects the skin in form of small bumps. Many times, the dog’s hair will stand up from these bumps and they can be itchy. Generally, urticaria develops within 20 minutes of the dog breed being exposed to an allergen!

Though, urticaria isn’t dangerous to life, it tends to disappear, just as rapidly as it appear, by itself. Some things you need to watch out for in case of urticaria include:

F Vomiting

F Diarrhea

F Difficulty breathing

F Staggering/weakness

F Collapse

F Itching

F Hives

F Rapid swelling, redness in the lips, eye and neck areas

Diagnosis and Treatment of Urticaria

There is no standard diagnostic procedure to determine urticaria. However, vets can quickly examine various dog breeds physically to determine the nature of the allergy. Since, urticaria occurs quickly after dog breeds have been exposed to allergens, you must take your pooch to visit a vet who may recommend a prompt physical examination followed by treatment using oral antihistamine like diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Urticaria can be treated successfully with the help of injectable corticosteroids (form of steroids) like prednisolone/ dexamethasone.

Finally, you must remember that various dog breeds develop an allergic reaction soon after being exposed to an allergen, but you may not be able to realize this. And for those severe allergic reactions that are rare in nature, prevention may be questionable. But there is always wome thing out there a vet can give to help it.