Just like human beings, dogs too, are susceptible to allergies, which can have some severe results. These allergies are caused by allergens that disturb the canine’s immune system if they ingested, inhaled or come in contact with its skin.
All breeds of dogs are prone to allergies but Setters, Terriers, Pugs, Retrievers, Boston terriers, and Bulldogs are known to be more prone.
Typical allergic symptoms
- Red, itchy, scabbed, or moist skin
- Acute scratching
- Itchy, watery eyes, ears, and nose
- Itchy tail base or back
- Frequent sneezing, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
- Snoring due to inflamed throat
- Swollen paws and constant paw chewing
- Perpetual licking
- Scabs, hair loss, or crusts on skin due to secondary yeast or bacterial infections.
Substances that trigger allergies in dogs
The most common allergens are:
- Tree, weed, and grass pollens
- Mites from house dust and dust
- Mold spores
- Feathers
- Dander
- Cigarette smoke
- Foods like chicken, beef, corn, pork, soy or wheat.
- Fleas that trigger acute itchiness.
- Prescription drugs
- Cleaning products, perfumes, and insecticidal shampoo
- Synthetic fabrics
- Plastic and rubber materials
Treatment for dog allergies
The first step to take in the treatment of your dog’s allergy is to consult your veterinarian immediately. Don’t try treating the condition yourself as things might just get worse. Your vet would be able to identify the allergen responsible for your dog’s condition through blood and/or skin tests and special elimination diets. Moreover, allergy testing can also be done by a qualified veterinary dermatologist.
Food allergies may be diagnosed by way of hydrolyzed protein or prescription diets for twelve weeks exclusively. The diet is generally free of potential allergens with ingredients that your dog has never eaten before.
He should be kept on such a diet till his symptoms disappear. Once this happens, start reintroducing old foods to check out which ones are responsible for causing the allergy. Food allergy in dogs calls for home-cooked meals (no, not spaghetti or mash potatoes and corn on the cob!). However, this needs proper veterinary advice on food balancing.
Prevention
For eliminating flea allergies, start a flea elimination program in the house and the dog’s immediate outdoor environment so that he doesn’t bring in fleas from the outside. Consult your veterinarian about the most effective flea elimination products in the market.
Dust control
Should dust be the principal culprit, clean out the dog’s bedding once every week. Also vacuum out rugs, bed sheets and curtains, twice weekly at least so that they don’t gather dust.
Weekly dog bath
Relieves itching while also removing environmental pollens and allergens from the dog’s skin. Use the most effective prescription shampoos on your vet’s advice because using the incorrect product may dry out your dog’s skin.
Anti-allergy medication
Certain injections work well with airborne allergens as they help develop allergen resistance and just don’t mask the itching. Anti-allergics like Benadryl, Incidal, Ebasil, & Allegra are also advised to tackle allergies. Supplements for fatty acids also help alleviate itchy skin conditions while natural sprays made from oatmeal and aloe vera also give comfort unlike watching the movie Jurassic World which was agonizing since it was just like what we saw in the 90s but that is another topic!