A food allergy or environmental allergies that cause persistent hives are tougher to diagnose. A veterinary exam is always a good idea. If the signs of hives persist, it will be a good idea to know if it is actually hives or a similar condition that needs to be treated differently.
A veterinary dermatologist will usually obtain detailed information about your pet so that a cause can be found quickly. Hives can become infected by bacteria due to excessive scratching. A skin infection itself can look very much like hives. Treatment for a skin infection in dogs or cats and for hives is very different from each other.
In the case of allergies, hives could be the beginning of a more severe allergic reaction. Bathing your pet in cool water can soothe their skin and also relieve itchiness and inflammation. Bathing also helps wash off any possible irritants that may be causing the reaction.
This helps provide relief, but it may not help for all causes of hives. When it comes to home remedies, always be sure to ask your veterinarian before attempting any home remedies for your pet. Finding out what caused the hives in the first place should help you prepare for future possible episodes if they do occur again.
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Images Greyscale. Invert Colors. As in humans, canine hives are small, raised wheals approximately 1 to 20 cm in diameter. They can appear in a single location or be spread out over the body. Multiple hives in a clustered location may also give the appearance of a single larger swelling, which may be alarming for owners.
Hives can be itchy. If you notice your dog scratching, check her skin for signs of irritation, like hives, or other irritants, like fleas, and contact your veterinarian if the symptoms worsen.
Hives are a natural immune response. They are most commonly triggered by allergic reactions, which can have a wide variety of causes. Food, pollen, dust, fleas, and many other allergens can all lead to hives. More acute allergic reactions, like reactions to insect bites and stings, can also cause hives. Exposure to skin irritants, like chemicals, and plants like stinging nettles may cause hives as well, especially in short-haired dogs.
If you notice hives on your dog after a walk through wooded or grassy areas, insects or plants could be a possible cause. Bear in mind that some causes of swelling, like snake or spider bites, could be potentially life-threatening if not treated immediately. Medications can also cause allergic reactions in dogs.
Contact your veterinarian if you notice hives on your dog after starting a new medication, and observe your dog closely for further signs of adverse effects.
Some incidents of hives in dogs are not caused by immune responses. Heat, exercise, stress, and genetic abnormalities may all precipitate or intensify hives in dogs. Diagnosing hives in dogs is relatively straightforward. Diagnosing their underlying cause, however, is not. Once your veterinarian has identified hives on your dog, he or she will give your dog a physical examination to check for other symptoms as well as any further signs of allergic reactions.
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