Discovering and Treating Dog Allergies
Friendly veterinarian gets to know a new patient.
All mammals have allergies and dogs are no exception. Dog allergies can be quite frustrating for both the owner and veterinarian as the allergies can be difficult to figure out. Is it their food? Other animals in the house? Mold? Changes in the household?
Allergies can cause dogs to be sick, lethargic and unhappy. Your dog may have allergies if they have the following symptoms:
- Itchy, red skin or scabs
- Increased scratching
- Runny eyes
- Sneezing
- Vomiting
- Snoring
- Licking constantly
The first step is figuring out what your dog is allergic to. Did something change in the household? Did the dog’s food change? Is it seasonal or all the time? The answers to these questions can lead you the cause of the dog allergies. If these questions don’t provide the answer, then the veterinarian can perform other diagnostic tests like intradermal skin tests (pricking the skin with a bit of the allergen and watching for reactions).
Food
For some dogs, the cause of their allergy is located in their food bowl. They are allergic to the proteins, grains (like wheat gluten) or soy commonly used in dog food. The veterinarian can give you a prescription dog food that is free of many of the common food allergens. Your dog will have to eat it for 12 weeks to determine if it makes a difference with their allergy. Once the cause of the food allergy is determined, a specific diet will be recommended.
Other Pets
It’s possible the cause for your dog’s allergies is another pet in the house. Is the other pet new to the home? Did the allergies start after the pets started living together? For these issues, it is important to control the dander of the animal your dog is allergic to by bathing them frequently or using specific products designed to control the dander.
Household Causes
There are several things in your household that could be triggering your dog’s allergies including mold, dust, new cleaning fluids, perfumes or air fresheners, and cigarette smoke. Any changes like these can cause your dog to have allergic reactions.
Treating the Allergies
The best solution is to remove the causes of the allergy. If that is not possible, there are other options for dealing with dog allergies. Dogs can take some allergy medication, be given weekly bathing, and their dog beds and linens can be washed weekly. Depending on the severity of the allergies, they can be treated with stronger medication like cortisone.
Dog allergies can be difficult to identify but not impossible. If you pay attention to your dog’s behavior and work with your veterinarian, you can help resolve the allergies and have a happy, healthy dog again.
Resources
Always consult your vet before administering any treatments.
A great website the describes symptoms and some treatment options
http://www.allergicpet.com/dog_allergies.html
Category: Advice About Dogs, Vet Tips
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Another way to help dogs with allergies is to support their natural ability to deal with allergens through great nutrition. Phyto minerals (minerals from plants) are missing from many dogs diets and mineral deficiency can weaken the immune system.