How does an allergen create allergies?
When your pet is first exposed to the potential allergen, such as grass pollen, his immune system develops antibodies to the pollen, though there will be no noticeable outward symptoms during this initial exposure. The next time your pet comes in contact with this allergen, the antibodies go into hyper action. They send out signals to the immune system to produce a protein called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) that binds to cells called mast cells in the skin and causes a chemical called histamine to be released. Histamines have many functions in the body, among them the dilation (or opening up) of capillaries and contraction (or tightening up) of muscles, both of which contribute to intense itching. Each exposure to the allergen causes a new reaction, and if not treated, the pet has no choice but to scratch or chew at the inflamed area, causing further inflammation, welts, and sores – even ear infections. [ Back to Top ] What are the most common signs (symptoms) that my dog has allergies? You
