Dog Allergy Treatments

Dog Allergy Symptoms

August 16, 2010

What are some common dog allergy symptoms?

The most common symptom of an allergy causing discomfort in dogs is hair loss along with the development of “ringworm like” marks in your dog’s skin.

There are other symptoms of a dog allergy of course but let’s stick with this one to start.

The areas where these  ”ringworm like” marks appear usually get infected, hence, it is important to treat them.

The first line of defense for most vets is using antibiotics. If you do go with anti-biotics to treat skin problems be sure to counter them by giving your dog probiotics. In fact – you may want to consider a strong course of probiotics before you even try antibiotics.

The Great Dane Lady has some worthwhile info on yeast and fungus – so be sure to check that out info on dog allergy probiotics here.

Dog Allergy Symptoms often include:

Itchy Skin
Ear Inflammations
Ear Scratching
Frequent Licking or Biting of Paws
Anal Itching
Face Rubbing
Head Shaking
Loss of Appetite
Coughing

Allergies are not for humans only. Dogs roll around in some weird stuff. It’s no suprise they can get sick and pick up allergies.

Allergies great affects almost 20% of the total population of dogs in the United States, and that is a pretty alarming number. Therefore, it is extremely important for dog owners to know these dog allergies so as to come up with some preventive measures at the first sign of the attack.

Catch the situation early and you might get some advantage on stopping it from getting serious.

Between 15% to 20% of all dogs in the United States suffer from allergies.

As in humans, allergies may manifest in different ways producing varied symptoms in your pet. Knowing the signs of allergy suffering will bring your dog faster relief and happier days. As with any pet related medical issue, always consult your veterinarian if you suspect a problem.

Dogs can develop allergies or food sensitivities at any point during their lives. Often, dogs eat the same type of food for years, so their diet may be overlooked. Consider that CORN and grain can be a huge culprit.

Once food allergies have been determined to be the cause of your dog’s symptoms, eliminating the potential allergens from your pet’s diet is the first course of action. Begin by excluding foods which are known instigators (see list above). Look for either a commercial product which contains ingredients your dog has not eaten before or prepare home-made food for your dog consisting of two parts starch to one part protein. One item at a time, begin adding ingredients present in your dog’s former food to his new food.

Hey – it could be the dog food causing the allergy symptoms.

There are many things that both the dogs and the dog owners could have in common. For example, both dogs and dog owners could be prone to obesity if not regulating food intake and by not exercising.

In addition, dogs and humans may also acquire diseases that results from improper dietary regimen like diabetes, heart diseases, etc.

Moreover, the most amusing thing that both dogs and humans share is the fact that they are both vulnerable to allergies.

Sounds impossible? Think again.

Veterinary experts assert that dogs have allergies too. One of the primary signs of allergies is the itching of their skin. Their respiratory tract system can also be affected with allergies.

Normally, dogs will manifest symptoms of respiratory tract allergies like sneezing, wheezing, and coughing. Their nose and their eyes may also manifest a discharge just like humans do whenever they have colds or flu.

There are also allergies that may have an effect on their digestive system; hence, it may result to watery stools, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Many dogs in the United States have dog allergy symptoms.

It is a well-known fact that dogs are usually infected with fleas. However, what most people do not know is that they can get allergies through these fleas, too.

Well, it is not the fleas that actually cause the allergic reactions in dogs but the flea’s saliva. Hence, it is important for the dog to undergo a skin allergy examination so as to determine if a particular dog is sensitive to flea saliva.

In the event that the dog is allergic to flea saliva, it would be better for the owner to implement a rigorous flea control or flea eradication treatment in order to lessen the allergic reactions. Though, it must be kept in mind that solutions that are used in flea control should be safe to the dogs.

I often wondered if that fleas stuff was harmful to me and my friends – including my doggie friends.

If symptoms reappear, the food allergen should be easily identified. During the test period, make certain your dog eats only the new food. Eliminate treats, dog bones, table scraps, rawhide, chews, vitamins, etc. Once the offending food has been identified, look for a commercial food which does not contain that ingredient.

Atopic dermatitis, or canine atopic dermatitis, is an allergic skin disease generally caused by an immune hypersensitivity to environmental substances such as mold spores or dust mites. Indications your dog has this sensitivity generally present themselves by the age of two. Food and flea allergies, as well as parasitic infections, should be ruled out first as their symptoms are similar to atopic dermatitis.

More Dog Allergy Sysmptoms

Excessive Grooming
Licking or Chewing of the Paws, Stomach, or between the Toes
Change of Stomach Skin Color to an Irritated Red
Ears which are Red or Hot to the Touch

Skin allergy testing can be conducted by your veterinarian to determine your dog’s specific allergy.

Back to the dog food.

Like humans, dogs get allergies from food as well. There are instances wherein dogs get allergies from foods that their system cannot tolerate, such as wheat, soy products, pork, beef, whey, fish, eggs, milk, corn, artificial sweeteners, and chemical preservatives that are placed in their food.

Moreover, dogs can get allergies in food that they have not tried before. So, the best way to combat this particular allergy problem is to feed the dog with the commercial dog foods more often instead of homemade products.

Some signs of allergic reactions to food in dogs are shaking of the head, scratching the ears, irritated skin, biting and licking at the rear feet, inflammations in the ear, sneezing, behavioral changes, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.

Atopic dermatitis is a known allergic skin disease in dogs. This usually caused by the hypersensitivity of the dog’s immune system to ordinary substances that can be found in the environment like molds or dust mites.

Usually, a dog is said to be suffering from atopic dermatitis when the dog begins to excessively lick and chew its paws, licking the abdomen and its rear feet.

Caused by the saliva secreted by the flea, a flea allergy is the most common form of dog allergy. Sometimes the bite of a single flea may cause your dog to launch into fits of self-chewing and biting lasting for five to seven days.

Symptoms of Dog Allergies – Inflammation:

The Tail and Surrounding Area 
Stomach
Inside hind legs

A skin test can be performed to confirm your dog is allergic to flea saliva. Once a flea allergy has been confirmed, a strict control regimen should be initiated. Flea control products are safer now than they once were with options ranging from topical solutions to pills, shampoos and sprays.  Antihistamines have also proven effective in dogs with allergies with one short-term effect being lethargy or tiredness.

Corticosteriods are substances which interfere with the function of the immune system and reduce itching by reducing the inflammation. They also affect all the organs in your dog’s body and should be used under medical supervision for short periods of time or in small doses.

Blood tests and intradermal skin testing can also be performed to judge specific reactions to allergens.

Contact allergies are the least common of dog allergies. Items such as flea collars, grass, shampoos, plants, chemicals, and wood chips may cause allergic reactions. By eliminating the irritant, symptoms should disappear.

If you think your dog may suffer from allergies, keep a journal. Make notes as to the symptoms, their severity, and when they occur. This will help your veterinarian pinpoint the problem and help your dog achieve a speedier recovery.

More info on dogs and dog allergy symptoms

Tags: Dog Allergy Treatments