Hives, also known as urticaria, can understandably be worrisome when they suddenly appear on your dog. These red skin swellings can show up anywhere on your dog's body, causing discomfort and stress for both of you. The common causes are due to allergic reactions, food allergies, environmental allergens, insect stings or bites and medications. In this post, we'll explain in more detail the causes of hives in dogs and discuss different treatment options in simple terms that any dog owner can understand. Let's help your furry friend return to their happy and playful self!

What is Urticaria in Dogs?

Urticaria, commonly referred to as hives, is a dermatological condition characterized by the development of raised red welts on the skin.

These welts can vary in size, ranging from as small as 5 mm to an inch in diameter. Sometimes, the welts can merge together if they appear in large numbers.

It's important to note that hives can appear anywhere on your dog's body, including its face, lips, tongue, throat, and ears. These hives often cause intense itching and can make your dog quite uncomfortable.

What are the Causes of Hives in Dogs?

Hives result from an immune response, commonly triggered by allergic reactions. These allergies can have a multitude of causes, including but not limited to:

  • Insect Stings or Bites: Some dogs may react and develop urticaria to insect stings or bites from pests like bees, ants, and wasps. Bites from fleas, ticks, or mosquitoes, can also result in hives.
  • Food Allergies: Just like humans, dogs can have food allergies too. Certain food ingredients such as wheat, dairy, or specific proteins may cause an allergic reaction leading to hives.
  • Medications: Some dogs can have allergic reactions to specific medications, resulting in hives breakout.
  • Vaccines: In rare cases, dogs might develop hives after receiving a vaccination.
  • Environmental Allergens: Allergens in the environment, such as pollen, dust, or mold, can also cause hives in dogs. This is a component of allergic dermatitis.
  • Chemicals and Toxins: Exposure to certain chemicals, toxins, or other substances can cause a reaction.
  • Physical Factors: Unusual physical factors such as extreme cold, heat, stress, or pressure can also trigger hives in some dogs.
  • Unknown Causes: Sometimes, despite multiple diagnostic tests, the cause of hives remains unknown. These cases are usually classified as idiopathic.

How is Urticaria Diagnosed in Dogs?

Understanding what caused your dog's hives and urticaria can be a bit like detective work. It's important to think about any recent changes or exposures your dog has had. This could include new environments, bug bites, recent vaccinations, changes in food, or even new medications.

The timing of these changes in relation to when the hives appeared is also important. For instance, some triggers might cause hives within 3 hours, while others might take up to 24 hours.

If your dog keeps getting hives, try to note if it happens more during certain times of the year. For example, in some places, springtime brings more bugs, which could mean more bug bites causing hives.

After your veterinarian obtains a detailed history from you, they will move on to the physical exam.

Urticaria and hives are identified by a number of unique features. They show up as many distinct, round, reddish, raised spots on the skin, which can either be dome-shaped or flat. These spots, known as wheals, are often separate but can sometimes merge together or form wavy or straight lines. You might also see red patches or flat areas.

These hives can be different sizes, ranging from as small as 1/4 inch to as large as one inch. If you press on them, they'll dent inwards and the number of these hives can vary greatly.

Treatment Options for Hives in Dogs

The optimal therapeutic approach for urticaria involves the identification, elimination, or avoidance of triggers associated with the condition. It should be noted that most cases of urticaria resolve spontaneously within 48 hours.

A short duration of corticosteroids such as prednisone can be used for urticaria in dogs but often is not required. If there is intense itchiness where there is self-induced trauma, it is recommended.

Interestingly, the use of antihistamines is often ineffective for the treatment of the acute onset of hives in dogs but may be effective in the prevention of the development of new hives.

Hives typically last for no longer than 48 hours in dogs

FAQs About Hives on Dogs

How long will hives last on a dog?

It's important to note that hives typically last for no longer than 48 hours in dogs.

When should I take my dog to the vet for hives?

If you notice hives on your dog, it's best to take them to the vet as soon as possible. This will help them get properly diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.

What do hives look like?

Hives are raised red welts on the skin, ranging from as small as 5 mm to an inch in diameter. They can often resemble lumps within the skin as they are raised. Additionally, these welts can sometimes merge together and can appear anywhere on your dog's body.

Will Benadryl treat hives in dogs?

Antihistamines such as Benadryl are often not effective in treating hives in dogs. As hives will usually spontaneously resolve within 48 hours, giving Benadryl and seeing improvement is likely just a coincidence.

Conclusion

In short, urticaria or hives in dogs can be caused by a variety of factors. Retrospective studies have revealed that the most common causes of canine urticaria and hives in cases with identifiable causes were insect bites or stings, foods, and medications.

Treatment options generally involve identifying the trigger and avoiding it in the future. Most cases of hives resolve on their own within 48 hours; however, if there is intense itching where there is self-induced trauma, a short duration of corticosteroids such as prednisone can be used.

It's important to note that if your dog experiences repeated or persistent bouts of hives, it is important to consult your veterinarian. They will be able to help determine the underlying cause and provide advice on the best treatment options for your dog. We hope we have been able to provide you with some helpful information on hives in dogs and put your mind at ease. Thanks for reading! 🐶