DAO

What is histamine?

Histamine is a tissue hormone and messenger substance that is formed from the amino acid histidine. Histamine is one of the biogenic amines that are necessary for important functions in the dog's body. They regulate blood pressure, stimulate gastric juice production, increase intestinal motility and ensure a balanced sleep-wake rhythm.

Histamine is also involved in inflammatory reactions and is released by special cells, the mast cells, when the body reacts to a stimulus. This can be the case with an allergy or an infection, for example. Histamine then dilates the blood vessels and increases the permeability of the vessel walls so that immune cells and fluid can enter the affected tissue. This leads to typical symptoms such as redness, swelling, itching or pain.

What is DAO?

DAO is an enzyme that breaks down histamine in the intestines of dogs. DAO ensures that histamine, which is ingested with food or produced in the intestine itself, does not enter the bloodstream and cause problems there. DAO is therefore a kind of protective mechanism against too much histamine in the body.

What is histamine intolerance?

Histamine intolerance is a disorder in histamine metabolism which means that the body can no longer cope with normal amounts of histamine. This can have various causes:

• A reduced activity or amount of DAO in the gut. This can be caused, for example, by chronic intestinal inflammation, damage to the intestinal mucosa or a genetic predisposition.
• An increased release of the body's own histamine by mast cells. This can be triggered by stress, hormone fluctuations or other mediators, for example.
• An increased intake of histamine-containing or histamine-releasing foods. These include matured cheeses, tinned fish, sausages, sauerkraut, tomatoes or citrus fruits.

If too much histamine accumulates in the body, intolerance reactions occur, which can vary depending on the dog. Possible symptoms are

• Skin reactions such as itching, redness, dandruff or hair loss
• Gastrointestinal complaints such as diarrhea, vomiting or flatulence
• Respiratory problems such as sneezing, coughing or nasal congestion
• Cardiovascular problems such as rapid heartbeat, drop in blood pressure or dizziness
• Behavioral changes such as aggression, restlessness, panting or anxiety

How can histamine intolerance in dogs be diagnosed?

Histamine intolerance in dogs is not easy to diagnose, as the symptoms are non-specific and can also have other causes. In addition, the symptoms can vary from dog to dog and can occur with a time delay.

In order to diagnose histamine intolerance in dogs, other possible diseases should first be ruled out. These include, for example, parasite infestation, fungal infections, food allergies or hormonal disorders. The vet can carry out various tests for this, such as blood tests, skin tests or fecal samples.

If other illnesses can be ruled out, an attempt can be made to confirm histamine intolerance in the dog by means of an exclusion diet. This involves switching the dog to a low-histamine diet for a few weeks and observing whether the symptoms improve. If this is the case, individual foods can be gradually reintroduced and tested to see whether they are tolerated or not. In this way, you can find out which foods the dog should avoid and which it can eat in moderation.

How can histamine intolerance in dogs be treated?

Histamine intolerance in dogs cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be alleviated and the dog's quality of life improved. The most important measure is to change the dog's diet to a low-histamine diet. This means giving the dog as much fresh and unprocessed food as possible that contains or releases little histamine. This includes, for example:

• Meat from poultry, lamb or horse
• Vegetables such as carrots, zucchinis, fennel or pumpkin
• Fruit such as pears, apples, bananas or melons
• Cereals such as rice, oats or millet
• Dairy products such as quark, yoghurt or cottage cheese

You should not give your dog any foods that contain or release a lot of histamine. These include, for example

• Pork, beef or game meat
• Fish and seafood
• Cheese, especially matured varieties
• Legumes such as peas, beans or lentils
• Nuts and seeds
• Chocolate and cocoa
• Alcohol

You should also make sure that the food is as fresh as possible and has not been stored for a long time. This is because the longer a food matures or is stored, the more histamine is formed in it. This also applies to dry food or canned food for dogs.

In addition to a change in diet, dogs can also be given medication or food supplements that promote the breakdown of histamine or inhibit the histamine effect. These include, for example:

• DAO capsules: these contain the enzyme DAO from pig liver extract and can be given before each meal. They help to break down histamine from food and prevent it from entering the bloodstream.
• Antihistamines: They block the histamine receptors in the body and thus reduce the symptoms of a histamine reaction. They can be given for acute symptoms, but should not be taken permanently.
• Mast cell stabilizers: They prevent the release of histamine from the mast cells and thus counteract a histamine reaction. They can be given preventively, but usually have a delayed effect.
• Vitamin C: It supports the breakdown of histamine in the body and strengthens the immune system. It can be taken regularly as a dietary supplement.

The dosage and use of these products should always be discussed with your vet. Not all supplements are suitable for every dog and can also have side effects.