Dog Allergies
- symptoms & treatment
Did you know that Fido can suffer from dog allergies just as easily as humans suffer from 'people allergies'? If your pup is always licking, scratching or shaking his head, it's possible that he has a canine allergy. 'Hot spots' (patches or red, irritated skin), coughing, sneezing or discharge from his eyes or nose can be other signs of dog allergies.
What exactly are dog allergies?
Canine allergies are much more common than most dog owners realize, and over 10% of dogs suffer from the most common complaint associated with this condition - dog skin allergies. There is also an increasing number of dog food allergies today, due to the increasing amounts of chemicals and additives in dog food, and the decreasing quality of other ingredients.Allergic reactions involving the skin can also be related to flea allergies, inhalant allergies, or contact allergies. Sometimes reactions such as hives, swelling and itching can also result after vaccinations. There are certain dog breeds that seem to be predisposed to allergies, these include : - Beagles
- Boxers
- Bulldogs
- Cocker Spaniels
- Collies
- Dalmations
- Golden Retrievers
- Irish Setters
- Labrador Retrievers
- Lhasa Apsos
- Poodles
- Pugs
- Schnauzers
- Shih Tzus
- Terriers
Puppies generally don't show any signs of allergies at first, but can develop any of the allergy symptoms (or combination of symptoms) after they're about a year old. It's been shown that puppies tend to 'grow into' their allergies as they mature. This is due to their exposure to allergens in dog food ingredients, their environment, vaccinations etc. They become sensitized to these substances as their exposure to them increases. It makes sense to try to minimize your puppy's contact with allergens as much as possible, although of course you don't want him to live in a 'bubble'! Two big steps towards reducing Fido's chances of developing canine allergies are very simple for you to take - If you're not sure how to tell if your dog has fleas, or just want to know more about dealing with these nasty little critters, check out my Fleas And Ticks page.
Dog Allergy Symptoms
If you do notice that Fido starts to clean/lick himself compulsively, don't just put it down to his super-hygenic nature... it's much more likely that he's suffering from dog allergies!Canine skin allergies can be caused by flea allergy, dog food allergy, even contact or inhalant allergy. These type of reactions are characterized by red, itchy, irritated skin or scabby areas, brown-colored patches or hair loss. Any of the following could also be a dog allergy symptom : - A seemingly bad case of dandruff
- Excessive scratching or licking (especially at paws, tummy, tail area)
- Face rubbing
- Rashes or 'hot spots'
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Breathing difficulties
- Eye or nose discharge
- Shaking of the head or pawing at the ears
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
° ° ° The last three symptoms are more likely to occur due to a food intolerance, rather than a true allergy though.
The diagnosis & treatment of dog allergies
There are several different methods that your veterinarian can use to figure out what type of dog allergies your pup is suffering from. It's more difficult to find the root cause of some allergies than others. For example a flea allergy isn't too hard to detect - if your pup has fleas and has irritated, red patches of skin and even hair loss, then chances are good that he's allergic to flea saliva! Contact allergies are also usually not to difficult to track down. If you recently put a new collar/sweater/smell-good spray etc. on Fido, and he's suddenly scratching and uncomfortable, you can take a pretty educated guess at what's causing the problem. Other allergies such as inhalant allergies and dog food allergies can be more challenging. Your veterinarian can perform allergy tests on your dog (can be skin testing or blood tests) to check for reactions to certain allergens. If you suspect a dog food allergy, an elimination diet can be used to determine whether the allergy is food related and then to isolate the ingredient/s causing Fido to be so miserable. Treatment for dog allergies varies, depending on the particular allergen, type of allergy, and severity of the dogs reaction to it.
For dog food skin allergies
Isolating the problematic ingredient/s and removing them from your dogs diet usually works well. Dietary supplements which strengthen the immune system are also very valuable and feeding only a high quality, natural or hypoallergenic food such as Wellness Fish & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food 15 lb. Bag can prevent a recurrence of the allergy.
For a flea allergy
The first thing to do is bathe your puppy or dog using an effective flea shampoo . Then apply a superior, topical flea and tick medication such as Frontline Plus . Apply the flea treatment every 30 days (or as directed on the packet) to maintain protection. Flea season can last anywhere from 6 months to year round, depending on where you live. If your dog has sore, irritated 'hot spots', you can relieve his discomfort by using a hydrocortisone spray or salve or a gentle herbal coat and skin rub . If your pets skin condition is severe, or seems to be infected (if the area is very red, swollen, hot, painful or is scabby it could be infected), consult your veterinarian. He may want to treat your dog with dog allergy medication such as cortisone shots or oral allergy medications.
For contact allergy
Remove the cause of the reaction first! If it's a collar, sweater etc. that's easy and quick. If the reaction is more generalized, due to a deoderizing spray or contact with a dog bed washed in a new detergent for example, you need to bathe your pup using a hydrocortisone or a hypoallergenic  shampoo. Soothe any remaining sore or irritated skin and stop itching with a hydrocortisone spray or salve.
An inhalant allergy
It can be difficult to protect your dog from inhalant allergies. If he has seasonal allergies, you can follow the advice given to humans - stay indoors as much as possible during allergy season, especially on windy days. Also bathe your pup regularly with a hypoallergenic shampoo to remove dust, pollen and other allergens from his coat. For indoor allergies, use a high powered vacuum with a HEPA filter and put HEPA filters in your heat/AC system too. Your veterinarian may also prescribe allergy medications such as antihistamines, Benadryl etc.
Allergic reaction to vaccinations
Occasionally, some puppies and dogs may suffer a reaction to one of the required vaccinations. Some breeds are more prone to this type of allergies than others, they include (but are not limited to) : - Akitas
- Min. Dachshunds
- Harlequin Great Danes
- Old English Sheepdogs
- Portuguese Water Dogs
- West Highland White Terriers
- Weimaraners
These dog vaccination allergies are usually mild to moderate, and symptoms can include a slight fever, swelling or redness at the location of the shot, lethargy or loss of appetite. These symptoms can occur up to a week or more after the vaccination has been given and, although you should notify your vet of the situation, any medical treatment is rarely needed. However, it's very important to be aware that, although a rare occurrence, it is possible for a dog to suffer a severe to life-threatening allergic reaction to vaccinations. Signs of this type or allergy include swelling or hives/welts around or on the face, this could progress to include breathing problems, loss of balance, or seizures. If you notice any swelling/hives of this type (usually occurs within minutes or hours) after your dog has received his shots, seek emergency veterinary attention right away. For more informatio on vaccinations see our Puppy Shots page.
... and finally
So now you know that dog allergies are actually very common, and can make your pup absolutely miserable!If you suspect your dog is suffering from allergies, take action right away.There are many methods of canine allergy treatment so Fido doesn't have to suffer! Left untreated canine allergies will only get worse, and it's much easier and effective to treat them earlier rather than later.
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Canine Skin Allergies
Dog Food Allergies
Natural Dog Food & Products
Puppy Shots
Puppy Health
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