A Rare Allergy
There are have been lots of rumors of dogs being allergic to plastic bowls, but in most cases, the actual lesions turn out being something else.
Veterinarian Dr. Michael Salkin, explains that while allergies to plastic are something worthy of considering, in most cases, after taking a biopsy of the skin, it turns out that the lesions are actually caused by something else such as an infection or an immune mediated skin disease.
Its therefore important having any lip or chin lesions assessed by a vet or veterinary dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
More than an allergy to the plastic bowls per se, a possible cause for a dog to develop skin acne is from the bacteria that may grow on the porous structure of the plastic itself.
According to Animal Hospital of North Asheville, plastic can be easily scratched and the small crevices can harbor food particles and bacteria over time.
Dogs may therefore develop skin issues in the areas of their face that make contact with with food bowls that arent kept clean as necessary.
In such cases, it might be a better option to use non-porous bowls such as bowls made out of materials such stainless steel, glass or ceramic.
Chin acne in dogs is medically known as muzzle folliculitis.
The term muzzle is used to depict the protruding area of the dogs face, including the nose and mouth, while the term folliculitis depicts the inflammation of the dogs hair follicle, the small cavity from which each hair sprouts.
There are several short, bristle-like hairs in the dogs chin area and problems start when the follicles of these hairs become prone to inflammation.
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The inflammation can be triggered by minor daily trauma when the dogs chin rubs directly on certain surfaces, explains Dr. Ian B. Spiegel, a board-certified veterinarian specializing in veterinary dermatology in an article for DVM360..
Other potential causes include inflammatory disease caused by the demodex mite, autoimmune diseases, skin yeast infections, allergies and metabolic disorders.
Often, a course of oral or topical antibiotics and medicated wipes containing chlorhexidine may help out.
Symptoms of Nickel Allergies in Dogs
Dogs with contact allergies will have outbreaks at the site of contact and sometimes around the face and groin area and the pads of the paws as well. Symptoms of allergies tend to get more dramatic with each subsequent exposure. Food related allergies may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea along with the other symptoms of an allergic response, which can include:
Types
Food allergy – A food allergy is a response by the portion of the body’s immune system that is located in the gastrointestinal system to defend itself against a threat. An allergic reaction doesn’t happen the first time an individual is exposed to the allergen but rather after repeated exposures. Any ingredient is capable of causing an allergic reaction, but some foods, such as beef, chicken, dairy, and eggs tend to cause allergies in canines more often than others.
Contact allergy – Allergies in canines are the defensive mechanism of the immune system which employs specialized immune cells in the dog’s body to defend it against an amino acid that it has labeled as an invader. The specialized cells the body employs to protect the body are known as mast cells, and when the immune system is stimulated by the amino acids, known as allergens, the mast cells release histamine into the animal’s system. Histamine has an inflammatory effect on any tissues that it comes into contact with. The inflammation is what causes the itchy and swollen skin conditions characteristic of most allergic reactions in canines.
Can dogs be allergic to metals?
Unfortunately, there are dogs that are allergic to metals and even if the dog collar is not completely made of metal, he may still have a reaction to the buckle or clip. Metal allergies not only come from the collar but can also affect your dog if he eats or drinks from a metal bowl or is crated in a metal crate.
Can dogs be allergic to grass?
The best all-around food and water bowls for a dog are made of stainless steel and have a heavy bottom. Glass or ceramic bowls, while often very nice-looking, can break, and bowls made of plastic have a number of potential problems of their own:
Some stainless steel bowls, on the other hand, have non-skid bottoms that help the utensil stay in place. And all stainless steel bowls are dishwasher-safe.