What do vets do for dogs with hives

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 19, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Dog Hives

What Are Dog Hives?

Hives (also referred to as urticaria) are areas of the skin that appear reddened and raised. Just as with humans, hives can be very itchy for your dog. Theyre a sign that an allergy is causing the immune system to overreact.

Hives can appear very quicklyand disappear just as quickly. The raised red area of the skin is referred to as a wheal, and it can appear anywhere from a few minutes to hours after exposure to an allergen. Wheals can appear anywhere on your dogs body, but theyre usually found on the head, neck, back, stomach, and legs.

In mild cases, the hives will generally disappear within 12-48 hours after contact with the allergen. However, because of the risk that the reaction can worsen to dangerous swelling of your dogs airways or a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, you should seek out treatment any time you see hives on your dog. This is especially true for hives that occur on the face or around the throat, which can lead to dangerous swelling and possible blockage of the airways.

Symptoms of Dog Hives

Red raised areas of skin called wheals, which can occur anywhere (including mucous membranes) but are most commonly seen on the head, neck, back, abdomen, and legs
Intense itching
Excessive drooling if the mouth is swollen
Swelling (angioedema), which is particularly concerning when it involves the face and respiratory system and can have severe and life-threatening consequences

Causes of Dog Hives

The allergen that causes the hives may be environmental, chemical, or dietary. Any allergen your dog is sensitive can also lead to hives. Common causes include:

Insects bites, chemical contact, and medications are the most common.

How Vets Diagnose Hives

Your vet will closely examine your dog to locate the distinctive wheals associated with hives. Wheals typically have hair on them, and may appear in clusters. Beyond the physical examination, other parts of the diagnosis include:

Any history you are able to provide; be as thorough as you can in describing allergens your dog might have come into contact with and when and where you first saw the hives
Your dogs response to treatment

Treatment for Dog Hives

Dogs with hives usually respond quickly to treatment, which may include:

At-home treatments may include:

Cold compresses over the hives or swollen areas to give relief from itching
Antihistamines, but only under the supervision of your vet

Management of Dog Hives

Work with your vet to determine the cause of the hives, using both your dogs health history and history of exposure to allergens. Depending on the cause and the frequency, your vet may recommend:

Allergy testing to confirm environmental allergens
Immunotherapy treatment to desensitize your dog to specific allergens
A food trial to find ingredients that cause a reaction and develop specific dietary recommendations

Dog Hives FAQs

Are dog hives an emergency?

Yes. Hives indicate an allergic reaction within the body. Although the hives themselves are mostly just uncomfortable, they could lead to very dangerous complications, including anaphylaxis and death. Its best to treat even mild cases of hives.

What can I give my dog for hives?

It is important to speak to your veterinarian before giving your dog any medication. The vet may recommend certain medications to give your dog now or to have ready for future episodes.

How long do hives last?

Hives can disappear within a few hours or last up to 48 hours.

Can anxiety cause hives in dogs?

Theres a small chance that psychological stress can cause dog hives, but generally, anxiety merely worsens hives that are already present.

Should I take my dog to the vet for hives?

Yes, hives indicate a larger issuean allergic reactionand require treatment to make your dog comfortable and keep the reaction from progressing.

What do hives look like on a dog?

Hives are red, often swollen areas of skin that may be very itchy. They can be anywhere on the body, but youll often spot them on your dogs head, neck, back, stomach, or legs.

What foods cause hives in dogs?

There is no one food that generally causes hives in dogs. However, if your dog is allergic to a particular food or ingredient, that can cause hives for your individual dog.

Hives and Rashes (Urticaria) in Dogs

Hives or skin rashes (urticaria) are localized patches of red, swollen, usually itchy, skin. They often develop and disappear suddenly. Hives are relatively uncommon in dogs. The most frequent causes are insect bites or stings, shampoos, and medications. Other causes include contact with toxic plants or chemicals. Friction, sunlight, heat, exercise, stress, and genetic abnormalities may cause or intensify the rash. Hives may develop after inhaling or consuming allergens. Hives can be seen while a dog is in estrus ("in heat") or seen in puppies with intestinal parasites ("worms").

The wheals (eruptions) appear within a few minutes or hours of exposure to the causative agent. In severe cases, the skin eruptions are preceded by fever, poor appetite, or dullness. They can develop on any part of the body but occur mainly on the back, flanks, neck, eyelids, and legs. In advanced cases, they may be found on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, lining of the eyes, rectum, and vagina.

Often, hives disappear as rapidly as they arise, usually within a few hours. Treatment may not be required. They may return rapidly if exposure to the cause is not eliminated, however. Also, if your dog develops hives after receiving a vaccination or medication, contact your veterinarian immediately to see if treatment is needed. Treatment may include rapid-acting corticosteroids. If hives are chronic, environmental or food allergens should be considered as potential causes. Death does not commonly occur, unless anaphylaxis (a severe allergic event) or swelling of the respiratory tract is present.

Also see professional content regarding urticaria.

Why Does My Dog Have Hives?

What are hives?

Hives are skin rashes or welts that are red, swollen, and usually itchy. The red skin welts can develop on any part of the body, including the dogs face, throat, lips, and ears. Most of these reactions are localized and often resolve on their own.

Hives in dogs are not as easy to detect as they are on the skin of people because of the dogs dense hair coat. You may see the rashes on areas of the dogs body with less hair but other than that, all you may notice are several small raised tufts of hair that indicate the presence of the raised welts. The skin welts may be itchy or may not bother your pet at all.

Causes of Hives in Dogs

Hives develop when there is a localized release of histamine in the skin. This can cause the dilation of blood vessels in the area. The local inflammation eventually gives rise to small reddish welts and bumps that are collectively called hives. Small hives can merge and form larger skin welts and bumps.

There are many known triggers of hives in dogs. Any allergen that your pet is hypersensitive to can cause hives. Some of the most common include:

Some factors that can intensify the rash include exposure to sunlight, friction, stress, heat, and exercise.

In a study about urticaria in dogs, insects, food, and drugs were the most frequently detected triggers. Identifying the trigger factor of your pets hives can help you prepare for possible episodes in the future. Hives may return rapidly if your dog continues to be exposed to the trigger(s).

Symptoms of Hives in Dogs

Areas of redness and swelling develop on the dogs face, legs, and abdomen.
Swelling around the dogs muzzle can lead to drooling
Excessive scratching
The dogs eyes appear to be closed as a result of the swelling around them.
The hives often appear as raised circular bumps on the skin surface.

There are instances when the reaction can worsen if appropriate treatment is not given. This could be life-threatening as the swelling could cause the dogs throat to close. Affected dogs can also suffer from intense itching, causing them to scratch excessively, which can also make the reaction more severe.

Are hives harmful to my dog?

If skin swelling is caused by bee or wasp stings, there may be a dramatic swelling around the dogs face and lips. There is a possibility that the swelling could progress to the dogs throat. This serious reaction is called anaphylaxis, and when this happens it could compromise the dogs respiratory passages, making it difficult for the dog to breathe. This is one of the reasons why an anaphylactic reaction should be treated as a medical emergency. Prompt veterinary attention should be sought.

Fortunately, this life-threatening reaction is very rare. Most cases of hives in dogs are self-limiting and dont pose a significant health threat to your pet.

How to Treat Your Dogs Hives

Depending on the severity of the allergic reaction, your vet may prescribe antihistamines or rapid-acting corticosteroids. When administered by injection, these medications could produce dramatic improvements within a few minutes.

Can my dogs hives be treated at home?

Once the dogs exposure to the allergen has been removed or minimized, hives tend to resolve on their own. But it can usually take between 24-72 hours to clear up. To prevent excessive scratching which can make the skin raw, apply ice or a cold towel on your pets skin. The cold can help soothe and alleviate the itching.

Bathing your pet in cool water is also another way to soothe his skin and relieve the itching and inflammation. Irritants and allergens on your pets skin can also be washed off during bathing.

There are also natural remedies for skin itching that you can try at home. These include chamomile and herbal tea soaks, apple cider vinegar water spray, an oatmeal bath or paste, coconut oil, and plain yogurt.

You can also ask your vet about home remedies for your pet. These may include topical products or prescription medications depending on the cause and nature of your pets allergic reaction.

While most cases of hives can be treated at home, contacting your vet is recommended because of the possibility that it can lead to more serious reactions as the allergy spreads to other parts of the body.

If your pet has recently received a vaccine or medication and has developed hives, contact your vet immediately so you can be instructed on what to do.

Ways to Prevent Hives in Dogs

Avoid exposing your dog to the allergen culprit. This is the best way to prevent hives in dogs. But this is easier said than done. Allergens abound in your dogs immediate environment or they could be in your pets food. There is a need to undertake measures to identify the allergen culprit so you can minimize or altogether prevent your pet from exposure.

If your dog reacted to a particular vaccine in the past, your vet may give your pet a shot 10-14 minutes before the administration of the vaccine. Your vet may also deem it necessary to modify future vaccination protocols for your pet to minimize adverse reactions.

Why is my dog itchy?

Allergic Ear Infections (Allergic Otitis) in Dogs

Common Myths About Allergies in Dogs

Need to speak with a veterinarian regarding your dogs hives or another condition?

Click here to schedule a video consult to speak to one of our vets. You can also download the FirstVet app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Stores.

Dog Hives 101 Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment Of Hives In Dogs

Nobody wants their dog to be in any kind of distress so we do everything we can to make their lives as pleasurable and happy as possible. Unfortunately, we cant always control what happens to our four-legged companions. One of those instances that we dont have complete control over is an allergic reaction such ...

One of those instances that we dont have complete control over is an allergic reaction such as urticaria or hives. Hives in dogs are rarely fatal, and they can go away on their own after a few hours.Thats the good news.

However, if they dont go away without medicine, or if additional skin welts emerge or the size of the hives grows, you should seek veterinary help as soon as possible so that it doesnt turn into a severe allergic reaction.

Scroll down to discover more about the origins, symptoms, and treatment options for dog hives and see how you can help your furry friend in this tricky situation!

What Are Dog Hives?

Hives are itchy, red, swollen, and irritating skin rashes or welts. Dog welts commonly occur anywhere on the body, including the face, neck, lips, and ears. The majority of these responses are not generally life-threatening; they are limited and they frequently self-resolve.

Because of the dogs thick fur coat, though, hives in dogs are more difficult to detect than acute allergic reactions on human skin.

The rashes might be visible on sections of the dogs body where there is less hair but other than that, you might only detect a few little elevated tufts of hair that suggest the existence of raised welts. These welts on your pets skin might be uncomfortable or not affect them at all.

In moderate situations, the hives will usually go away within 12 to 48 hours of coming into touch with the allergen.

However, because the response might progress into hazardous swelling of your dogs airways or a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, you should get medical help if you notice hives on your dog.

That is particularly true for hives on the face or around the mouth, which can cause hazardous swelling and possibly airway obstruction. In this case, a few minutes could be crucial for saving your dogs life.

Symptoms Of Dog Hives

Hives in dogs have symptoms that are similar to those seen in people. Your dogs hives will generally show up as:

Intense itching
Swelling
Redness

These arent the only symptoms associated with hives. Besides itchy skin and runny nose, you might notice other signs such as a coat that seems to have raised bumps or patchwork.

Canine hives, like human hives, are tiny, elevated weals measuring 1 to 20 cm in diameter. They might be concentrated at one spot or dispersed throughout the body. Several hives in a congested area might potentially seem like a single bigger swelling.

Itchy hives are a common occurrence.

If you notice your dog scratching, check for any indications of dog allergic reaction bumps, especially dog hives on back, or other irritants, such as fleas and call your vet if the symptoms get worse.

Swelling (angioedema), which is especially dangerous when it affects the face and respiratory system, can have serious and life-threatening implications.

If you notice any changes in your dogs skin, dont turn to Google for pictures of hives on dogs make a vet appointment right away at the nearest location and ask for expert advice!

Causes Of Dog Hives: Food Allergies, Insect Bites & More

Why is your dog breaking out in hives?

Hives on dogs skin are a normal part of the immune system or, rather, its response. They are usually caused by:

Allergens in the environment
Unfavorable medication response
Insect stings or bites
Chemical poisoning
Toxic plants
Sunlight
Heat
Exercise
Stress
Genetic abnormalities

The world around your dog is full of possible allergies and irritants. Dogs hives can be caused by food, pollen, dust, fleas, mosquito bites, and a variety of other environmental allergens.

This type of skin infection could also be caused by more severe allergic responses, such as those caused by an insect bite especially if your pet has very sensitive skin.

Other causes can be chemicals and plants like stinging nettles, even more so in short-haired dogs.

Insects or plants might be the source of hives on your dog during a stroll through grassy regions. Keep in mind that some causes of swelling such as snake and spider bites could be life-threatening if not treated at once.

Medications can also trigger allergic responses, though. If your dog develops hives after starting a new drug, contact your veterinarian, and keep an eye on your pup for any other symptoms or side effects.

That said, immune reactions arent always the source of hives in dogs.

Hives in dogs may be triggered or intensified by a variety of factors, including heat, activity, stress, and genetic disorders.

How Vets Diagnose Hives

The diagnosis of hives in dogs is pretty simple. Diagnosing the underlying cause, on the other hand, is the tricky part.

Once your veterinarian has determined that your puppy has hives, theyll perform a physical examination to look for any additional symptoms or signs of allergic reactions.

If there isnt a risk of anaphylaxis, your vet will likely question you about your dogs food, medication changes, and any pertinent recent activity. Depending on these results, your veterinarian might advise you to pursue a variety of options.

Allergic Reaction & Testing

In certain circumstances, allergy testing may be required particularly in cases with chronic urticaria. And if food allergies are suspected, your veterinarian could recommend an elimination diet to figure out whats causing the problem.

You can always pay for the allergy tests done by the vet, but there is an alternative and a slightly less expensive and invasive one at that. And that would be a home allergy testing kit.

The5Strands Pet Environmental & Food Intolerance Test is an excellent example of an efficient and pain-free way you can test your dog for allergies.

How To Treat Hives In Dogs

Hives in dogs usually go away on their own within a few hours.

However, in severe or chronic situations when the irritant cannot be removed promptly, or the swelling is causing extreme discomfort to the dog, dog hives treatment may require medications.

If thats the case, the treatment your vet prescribes will more than likely include medications such as a corticosteroid or antihistamine.

Management Of Dog Hives

While hives could go away on their own after several hours, it might take a bit longer to figure out what is causing them.

Some dogs skin is simply too sensitive and they get more hives than others. Others may have allergic reactions that need to be managed on a long-term basis.

Learning how to handle your dogs sensitivity and allergic reaction will help prevent a recurrence.

Dogs with grass allergies or sun sensitivity, for example, might need to wear special attire when they go outside. When talking about food allergies, you will have to change your dogs diet to eliminate the type of foods that cause hives.

You may be able to infer some of the triggers for your dogs disease by observing him, but keep in mind that, even if the source of an allergy can be discovered, it could take a long time.

Preventing Hives In Dogs

Its not always possible to avoid hives. Avoiding particular situations, chemicals, or drugs if you know your dog has a hypersensitivity or allergy to them will assist. Insect bites, on the other hand, are more difficult to prevent.

Consult your veterinarian about the best approach to keep your dog from developing recurring hives.

Theyll help determine the best protocols to follow in order to minimize additional responses, as well as the dangers of severe alergic reactions, such as anaphylactic shock.

Minimize exposure to the allergen that is causing the problem.

Thats the most effective method for preventing hives in dogs. Its easier said than done, though.

Allergens can be found in your dogs immediate environment or in the food it eats. Youll have to take steps to identify the allergen thats causing the problem so that you may reduce or eliminate your pets exposure.

If your dog has had a reaction to a vaccine in the past, your veterinarian may give them an injection 10-14 minutes before the vaccine is given. To reduce the risk of bad responses, your veterinarian may also decide to change your pets immunization routine in the future.

Dog Hives FAQs

Are dog hives dangerous?

If the hives are caused by insect stings particularly bee stings dogs faces and lips might swell dramatically. If the swelling spreads to the neck, breathing might become difficult, culminating in anaphylaxis. In this case, hives are dangerous.

Are hives on dogs contagious for humans or other pets?

Humans and other pets are not afflicted with hives. Keep other pets and household members away from potential issue areas if your veterinarian believes the source of the hives is a chemical or environmental irritant such as poison ivy and similar.

Is there a vaccine for hives in dogs?

There is no vaccine for hives. That said, vaccines can sometimes produce an immunological reaction that results in hives. These are typically minor, but if your dog has a response to treatment, medicine, or immunization, always consult your vet.

How long do dog hives last?

Hives usually go away on their own once the allergen has been eliminated or minimized from the dogs environment. However, it might take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours to clear up.

What can I give my dog for allergic reactions and hives?

Its important to realize that, in many cases of hives, they wont disappear suddenly which is why many people rush to treat them with natural remedies and whatnot. ALWAYS seek veterinary advice first if your dog has developed hives. Pet owners should never treat a condition caused by an allergic reaction by themselves. Instead, make an emergency vet visit ASAP.

Dog Hives Final word

Figuring out whats wrong with your dog can be a lengthy process, especially with an allergic reaction. Dog hives causes are plenty so, arm yourself with patience.

Keep in mind that you shouldnt give any medications without your vets supervision. Once you figure out the reason or reasons that cause hives in your dog, its easier to provide your pup with the best possible care.

Looking in your dogs eyes and knowing youre doing absolutely everything you can to help them is priceless, wouldnt you agree?