Pollen allergies in the dog (Canis familiaris)

We use a serological assay for the detection of environmental allergen-specific IgE in dog serum using the recombinant alpha chain of the high affinity mast cell receptor of IgE (Fc?- R1-? chain) (ALLERCEPT®, Mediterranean panel, by HESKA). The ALLERCEPT assay is an ELISA based test, where the cut-off point is 150 EA units. 98% of the samples were positive, of which 90% were polysensitized dogs, the majority of which were dust mites and storage mites (predominantly Dermatophagoides farinae and Tyrophagus putrescentiae). 27% of dogs are sensitized to grasses (Phleum pratense, Lolium perenne or Cynodon dactylon). In the pollen group of the weeds stand out Rumex crispus (28%), Plantago lanceolata (23%), Chenopodium album (20%) and Ambrosia sp. (11%), whereas in the pollen group of the trees predominate Olea europaea (15%), Ligustrum vulgare (11%), Platanus sp. (10%) and Betula sp. (10%). Allergenic pollens that cause human disease are relevant for our domestic dogs.