Treatment Of Dog Allergies

Dog Allergies: Their Symptoms And Treatment

Learn about dog food allergies and recognise dog allergy symptoms so that you can seek early treatment for your dog. Failure to do so causes your dog to suffer discomfort and in certain cases, may even endanger your dog's life. Many dog owners are ignorant that dogs too can have allergies, just like human beings.

The types of dog skin allergies differ according to the causes and the different dog breeds. You may need to conduct specific tests to find out what exactly is causing the dog allergies which may manifest as skin irritation and redness, or strong bad smells.

The 5 main types of dog allergies are contact, flea, food, bacterial, and inhalant. Each of these have their own peculiar symptoms.

Dog Allergy 1: Contact
Dogs get an allergic reaction when they come into contact with certain materials or surfaces. It could be flea collars, types of bedding or the plastic in drinking bowls. When a dog is allergic to these substances, there will be skin irritation and itching causing the dog to scratch and bite constantly. Simply removing the object or material that is causing the allergy solves the problem but finding the cause may require sharp observation.

Dog Allergy 2: Flea
Dogs normally feel only a slight irritation from flea bites. But when flea bites causes a dog to itch severely, then the dog is likely to be having an allergic reaction from dander allergies. Some dogs are allergic to the saliva of fleas which causes them to scratch intensely and chew on themselves to the point of leaving a bald patch. Getting rid of fleas may require the use of steroids especially since it is nearly impossible to control fleas in humid climates where fleas reproduce very fast.

Dog Allergy 3: Food
The best way to tackle dog food allergies is by trial and error. Running food tests are unreliable so it is best to watch your dog closely when trying out different types of dog food.

Dog Allergy 4: Bacterial
Several types of bacterial can be found on normal dogs but pose no danger to dogs if their immune system is healthy. But if a dog develops an allergy to the bacteria, the dog may suffer hair loss giving rise to skin patches that look much like ringworm. Antibiotics are used to treat such allergies in dogs. However, the dog may develop a resistance to the antibiotic in the long term causing the allergy to return.

Dog Allergy 5: Inhalant
Dog skin allergies caused by inhalants are most common. These are much the same types of inhalants that cause human allergies such as tree pollen, molds, mildew, and house dust mite. The most common dog allergy reaction is general itching. If the allergen is seasonal, then the itching may only last for a few weeks. Using hypoallergenic dog shampoo frequently can help relieve itching since some allergens are absorbed through the skin. Some dogs react favorably to fatty acid supplementation when implemented with steroids and antihistamines. Allergen therapy in the form of weekly antigen injections are also used to help the dog become immune to allergens.

Recognizing dog allergy symptoms is important for dog owners to keep their dogs healthy and free from dog skin allergies.