Dog Allergies – Your Dog Suffers Too
Did you know, just like humans, dogs can suffer from allergies too? It’s something that we don’t think too much about as we believe allergies is a human affliction but true enough, dogs are prone to allergies as well. A whopping twenty percent of dogs in the US suffer from one form of allergy or another.
Common dog allergies can be broken down into three categories: skin allergies, food allergies, and inhalant allergies
The most common type of dog skin allergy is flea allergy dermatitis. The signs and symptoms to observe would be persistent itching from the dog and discoloration of the skin. With inhalant allergies, be on the lookout for coughing, wheezing, sneezing, and mucus discharge. For food allergies, the symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and lethargy.
Pet owners can get over the counter medications in pet shops to treat their dog allergies but it is best to consult a veterinarian first to ensure the actual cause of the problem. The allergic reaction might be a sign of a more serious ailment or perhaps a more potent remedy is required. Or, another scenario could be that it’s not an allergy at all. The last thing you want to do is misdiagnose your dog and cause it more harm than good.
The best course of action if you suspect your dog has allergies is to consult your vet. The vet can provide a variety of tests to determine if an allergic condition exists, the degree of severity and provide a course of treatment. For instance, if a dog has an allergic reaction to certain foods, a new diet will need to be prescribed with the culprit foods would be banned from daily consumption. And, if your pet suffers from fleas and ticks, the vet can recommend a dog flea treatment. Moreover, and perhaps just as important, a flea prevention program would be discussed as well.
Having allergies is something that humans can relate to. It is not a fun experience to have skin allergies, inhalant allergies or food allergies; the itching, the runny nose, the upset stomach and the general malaise. If this is the case, we would expect proper medical treatment for ourselves so how can we deny man’s best friend any different? Take your dog to see a veterinarian for their professional opinion and get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Your dog will be happier and thank you for it.
Find dog flea treatment at Pawsitively Inspired to help relieve and prevent flea and tick allergies. Other items on sale include Halloween puppy costumes.
Like Our Human Friends Can Us Dogs Have Allergies?
Humor magazines have had fun with the way some dog owners resemble their dogs but, whether or not the dogs look like their owners, dogs do suffer many of the same illnesses. Dogs, just like humans, can become unhealthily obese from bad eating habits and not enough exercise. Dogs can also acquire diseases like diabetes, heart disease and gum diseases that cause dental problems and bad breath. Dogs can also, believe it or not, develop allergies.
Just like people, dogs get itchy skin and watery eyes from contact with things that they are allergic to. Other allergies can cause the dog to develop flu-like symptoms such as diarrhea and throwing up.
Dogs with allergies are not as uncommon as you may think; some experts, in fact, say that one out of every five dogs will have an allergic reaction to some substance.
If your dog has allergies the treatment is pretty much just a two-step procedure: 1) Get the dog to a veterinarian to determine what triggered the allergic reaction and 2) Do whatever is necessary to protect the dog from further exposure to whatever it was that caused the allergic reaction.
Following are descriptions of some of the most common allergies in dogs.
Flea allergies. No one will be surprised to hear that dogs get fleas or that the fleas torment the dog, but most people may not be aware that some dogs are actually allergic to flea bites. The problem is, when a flea bites a dog, it leaves behind a bit of it’s saliva in the bitten area. It’s this saliva that causes an allergic reaction in some dogs.
If your veterinarian determines that your dog is allergic to flea bites the obvious remedy is to get rid of all the fleas in and around your house. It will be hard work and you may want to bring in a professional exterminator and get all new bedding for your dog. Also, if fleas are a special health risk to your dog, you’ll need to keep it isolated from any other dog that may have fleas.
Food allergies. Food allergies are perhaps the easiest allergies to avoid. To have an allergic reaction to some food, your dog must eat the food and, as any good veterinarian will tell you, your dog should be eating nothing except its dog food. Table scraps for a dog should be considered toxic. Dogs may act like they love it when you feed them off your plate but sooner or later something they eat will either make them sick or trigger an allergic reaction. Remember that the food we humans eat contains preservatives, food coloring and artificial sweeteners; most of that stuff is harmless for most people but most of it can be really unhealthy for a dog.
Skin allergies. Dogs can suffer from dermatitis as an allergic reaction to the ordinary impurities in the air; impurities such as mold and dust; the technical term for this is “atopic dermatitis.” The dermatitis may show up as a rash that is visible on some dogs but are barely visible on others but, in most cases, you’ll see your dog biting and licking its paws, stomach or groin. It may be fleas or it may be an allergic skin rash — check it out!
Bacteria allergies. It is not common for a dog to be allergic to staphylococcus (staph) bacteria on its skin but when it happens it develops some dramatic symptoms such as hair loss, red blotches on the skin and possibly the development of pus pockets(pustules) filled with fluid. The staph bacteria itself is not rare — its virtually everywhere in some amount — but this type of reaction to it is, fortunately, very rare. Your dog is more likely to develop a bacterial allergy if it is in other ways unhealthy or if it has other serious allergies.
Your veterinarian will run some tests on your dog’s blood and will determine the nature of the bacteria and the most likely cure — most likely some antibiotic or an immune stimulant.
We all love our dogs and hate to see them sick or in pain. Whenever your dogs behavior becomes frantic or, at the other extreme, fatigued or when you notice anything abnormal in its behavior or physically, it is best to get your veterinarian involved as fast as possible.
Gary Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu’s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies he occasionally has for sale at All My Puppies Online Gary is also the author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide
Dog Health Care : How to Treat Allergies in Small Dogs
Allergies in small dogs are usually caused by reactions to something in the air, and are sometimes seasonal allergies. Discover how to treat your dog’s allergies with help from apracticing veterinarian in this free video on dog health care. Expert: Dr. Robert T. Pane Contact: www.southkendall.com Bio: Robert T. Pane, DVM, is a veterinarian in Miami, Florida. Filmmaker: Paul Muller
Symptoms of Dog Allergies
Every Dog is unique and it is sometimes hard to know and determine the exact cause of food intolerance or dog food allergies because many other problems can also cause similar symptoms such as environment, disease, flea and insect bite, parasite, yeast or bacterial infections etc. Dog can have allergy from difference type of foods. There are many research which proven that chicken, beef and eggs can cause more reaction than other types of food.
For one thing remember that the chemical that causes a dog allergy usually comes from their saliva and not their skin. This is unlike a cat allergy, which is usually triggered by cat hair and dander. A dog’s saliva contains albumin, which causes an allergic reaction in many. So obviously the first thing you need to do when you have a dog allergy is keep the dog from licking your hands and face! When the dog licks themselves this sticky protein is deposited on the hair along with dead skin cells.
Skin allergies are very common in dogs. Skin diseases in dogs such as ear infections and allergies, are some of the most common health problems in dogs. Skin irritation usually shows up around the eyes and mouth, armpits, stomach, and anal area.
Dog allergies are not nearly as easy to diagnose as human allergies. Typically, there is not an allergy specialist for a dog to visit. In addition, when there is an allergy specialist available, the problems the dog may be exhibiting may be the result of thyroid disease. This disease is frequently the culprit in poor skin health.
Common signs and symptoms of dog allergies include your dog licking her paws, scratching her body or pawing at her ears (due to inflammation). In severe cases, you dog may have oozing hot spots on her body. Allergies may be seasonable or your pet may suffer all year round, depending on the allergen.
Generally speaking, poodles shed less hair and dander, and therefore cause fewer allergy symptoms. The fact that these small dogs are frequently bathed may be one reason why people with dog allergies have few symptoms with owning this breed. A number of medications can also help relieve the symptoms of allergies.
The allergens become airborne as microscopic particles which, when inhaled into the nose or lungs, can produce allergic symptoms. It is worth mentioning that the same source may be worsening your own allergy symptoms, so taking care of it would make life easier for both you and your pet.
A dog allergy is just one of the allergies you might be suffering with that are environmental. Keep the dog dander to a minimal in your home. Run a HEPA filter in each room and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Vacuum at least once a day and don’t forget to vacuum in the vents where hair, dander, and dust gather. Also vacuum the furniture. HEPA filters make a huge difference.
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All About Dogs Skin Allergies
Dog’s skin allergies are a common cause of rashes, itches, hives and hair loss in dogs. Unlike other allergies, dogs’ skin allergies may be linked to seasons, or to household allergens.
Prevalence
To give you some idea of just how commonplace dog’s skin allergies are, it’s estimated that around ten percent, or one in ten dogs, will suffer from dogs skin allergies! This allergy to substances in the air, also called atopy, is therefore a very common problem for pet owners around the world.
Causes
Dogs skin allergies can be caused by a variety of common allergens, for instance, when the seasons change, they may be affected by pollen, or they may show signs of dogs skin allergy when exposed to common household compounds, including mold, dust, grass or other plants, or even feathers!
Age Range
Usually, signs of dog’s skin allergies will show up between the ages of six months and three years, although it’s not unheard of before then, and if you introduce something new after that, the dog may still display dog skin allergy symptoms.
Symptoms
Most common among dog’s skin allergies sufferers is the expected itchy skin. Another common sign is licking of paws, or rubbing the face on the carpet. If your dog displays these symptoms, combined with redness or even hair loss over time, it may be a sign of an allergy.
Looking for Clues
Sometimes, figuring out what is causing your dogs skin allergies is simple. A new kennel, blanket, dish or collar, particularly, in the case of the latter, where the itchiness and redness were around the mouth or neck respectively, would indicate the source of the dog’s skin allergy. However, it’s not always that easy and sometimes your vet will need to perform an allergy test in order to figure out the cause of your dog’s skin allergy.
Chemical Triggers
Especially if you have a dog susceptible to dogs skin allergies, take extra care when using a new shampoo, dip, powder or other chemical, as these can often trigger an allergic reaction. Look out for reactions on areas not covered in hair, and make a point of keeping your dog out of contact of any other household chemicals, to minimize the risk of dog’s skin allergies.
Emergency Care
Itching, rubbing or licking are normal signs of dog skin allergy, and should be treated with care, however, if your dog’s face, or any part of his body that came into contact with an allergen, seems swollen or puffy, you need to get immediate veterinary attention, as this almost always indicates a severe, potentially fatal allergic reaction.
Living with a dog with skin allergies is tough, but it can be done. Dog’s skin allergies are usually manageable, and there are medications, lotions and other treatments out there that can make your life, and your dogs, a little easier, at least in terms of his skin allergy! Just take care to keep him away from the items he’s allergic to, and you should do fine.
Your dog’s health means a lot to you, as well as your own. Keep yourself informed and learn more about dog allergies at CureDogAllergies.com, where you’ll find everything you need to know to keep your dog, your home and of course yourself free of allergies, and in tip top shape!
How to Manage Dog Allergies
Parasites
The most common reason dog’s continuously lick, itch and scratch is fleas, ticks and mites, which is also an extremely problem to treat. Fleas can cause unnecessary discomfort for a dog as it a simple treatment to prevent them. If untreated, fleas can also cause anemia and tapeworms.
With so many different choices to protect our pets from fleas and ticks, veterinarians still see many dogs with flea problems on a daily basis. Spot treatments are the most common and seem to be the most effective way to control fleas, ticks and mites. Avoid dog skin problems caused by fleas and ticks by using spot treatments regularly, or as directed by the manufacturer or your vet.
Canine Allergies
My Black Lab “Lady” suffered with dog skin allergies since we brought her home as a rescued puppy over 11 years ago. Over the years, I have learned that allergies can be just as difficult to pinpoint in dogs as they are in humans. . Allergies occur when the body’s immune system is weakened, which can be caused by improper or insufficient nutrition. Feeding home made organic dog food with added nutritional supplements or the top of the line organic dog food is the simplest way to determine if the allergies are caused immune defeciency. Giving a higher nutritional organic diet is what stopped my Lady’s allergies altogether. The continuous paw licking stopped completely beacause her immune system was increased, which in turn caused her allergies to be eliminated. There was also a drastic improvement is her overall health, well being and activity level.
Seasonal Allergies
If you notice your dog chewing and scratching more in the mornings after he/she comes in from outside, then it’s possible he’s/she’s sensitive to pollen, mold, ragweed or other environmental factors, just as we are. Also, allergies can include a sensitivity to dust. So, if dusting the house is considered low on your priority list, yet you notice that your dog is fine until he/she comes into the house, then it’s possible that he is sensitive to dust-mites. Environmental allergens are usually treated with anti-inflammatories or other presciption medication from you vet.
Food Allergies
Chewing the feet can be an indicator of food allergies. Although food allergies are less common in dogs, they can become more severe. I believe either feeding an all natural organic premium dog food or using recipes and making your dog’s meals will help eliminate food allergies. Don’t give a large variety to start with, and slowly introduce any new foods over a period of several weeks to see if the chewing increases or decreases. Keeping a careful watch of what your pet eats, and noting any changes in behaviour shortly after the change, makes all the difference in catching an unknown food allergy.
So What Really is The Cause?
Switching to either a premium organic dog food or making your own home made dog food should be the first course of action when trying to determine the cause of dog allergies or incessant licking and scratching. A certification of over 70% organic products used should be on the label to ensure you are buying a high quality, premium food for your dog, with the first ingredient being meat, of course. An organic certification of 95% (of which there are a few) is equal the human grade food. This is something that definitely will not harm your pet, and is the easiest and least expensive way to start figuring out what is causing the licking and allergies. Remember, just because your dog doesn’t do well on lamb doesn’t mean that he won’t do well on a chicken based food. The premium organic dog food that I buy for my Lady is specifically marked for dogs with skin allergies, and this is what I believe cured her itchy skin problem. This had been ongoing for years, with medical treatments of prednisone, antihistamines, and costly vet bills for expensive allergy testing and after all that, the diagnosis was inconclusive. The real key is to observe your dog’s patterns.
Animal and pet lovers will find important information to extend their pet life along with tips, recipes and many reasons for feeding an organic dog food here: http://www.recipes4gourmetdogs.com
Dog Skin Allergies
Dog Skin Allergies, along with ear infections, are among the most common health problems in dogs. They are difficult to diagnose as symptoms can be common across many diseases.
As there is usually no cure, Allergies need to be constantly managed. Most Allergies are seasonal and the inhalant type, such as tree pollen. If you suspect your dog has a skin allergy, check to see whether it has any of the symptoms listed below.
Symptoms of Dog Skin Allergies
Generally, if a dog has an allergy it will be apparent through excessive itching and/or visual skin problems. Signs your dog has an allergy include:
Rubbing its face on the ground or carpet Chewing on its limbs Hair loss Mutiliated/red/sore skin Nasal or eye discharge Skin Allergy Testing For Dogs
There are two types of testing that can be undertaken for dog skin allergies:-
Blood Tests are taken to check for antibodies in the dog’s blood that have been triggered by antigens. Intradermal Skin Testing is where a small amount of antigen is injected into an area of the dog’s skin and observed to determine whether it causes an Allergic Reaction. This is the most common form of testing and has a high success rate for identification of Dog Skin Allergies.
Alternatively, and more specifically if a Food Allergy is suspected, systematic elimination of items from a dog’s diet or environment may help uncover the underlying causes of the allergies.
Dog Skin Allergy Treatments Avoidance – Keep your dog out of grassy fields (keep your lawn mowed short), keep your dog indoors during the pollen season, use humidifiers and keep pets away from you when you are cleaning an area and it is likely to stir a bit of dust (eg vaccuuming). Topical Therapy - This involves using “external medications” such as shampoos, rinses and creams for Allergy Relief. Antihistamines – Apparently these are only about 30% successful for dogs. It is usually recommended to include fatty acids such as Omega 3 in your dog’s diet when combined with this treatment to improve the chances of success. Steroids – I wouldn’t recommend this option except as a last resort. The side effects are numerous.
It is important to note that each dog responds differently to different treatments, but it is wise to be aware Dog Skin Allergies so that you can ask the right questions of your vet and not blindly accept a recommendation of “drugs” to fix a problem that may be eliminated by natural or environmental means.
Marco Fratelli is currently studying to become an Allergy expert. He also likes to write about Women’s Health topics.
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