Canine Allergies - does your dog have them? - Family - Pets

Most people today know that the number of people suffering from allergies is increasing all the time. More kids (and adults) are developing new allergies and experiencing an increase in severity/duration of existing ones.

But did you know that dogs can suffer from allergies too?

They can fall prey to seasonal allergies involving pollen, plants, mold etc. just like we do. But there are also other, more common, causes of dog allergies such flea allergy, dog food allergy, contact allergy and occasionally an allergic reaction to vaccinations.

Although dog allergies are caused by a variety of different substances, they generally produce symptoms that affect the skin. If your dog seems to spend an inordinate amount of time scratching and licking himself (especially his belly and paws), has sore, irritated, red patches of skin, 'hot spots' or patchy hair loss, chances are he's suffering from allergies.

Other symptoms of canine allergies that you may see are sneezing, coughing, persistent head shaking or discharge from the eyes or nose.

Certain breeds seem to be more prone to developing allergies than others, they include :

Beagles

Boxers

Bulldogs

Dalmations

Collies

Golden Retrievers

Irish Setters

Labrador Retrievers

Lhasa Apsos

Min. Schnauzers

Pugs

Shar Peis

Terriers

Puppies generally don't develop dog allergies until after they reach a year old or more. That's because they tend to 'grow into' their allergies as their exposure to allergens in the atmosphere, food etc. sensitizes them to certain substances.

It's definitely easier to treat an allergy that has recently appeared, than one that's been present (and untreated) for a long period of time. Canine allergies will not 'get better' by themselves, and the symptoms they produce can make your dog very miserable and uncomfortable.

You can help to lessen the chances of your puppy developing canine allergies in later life, by minimizing his exposure to as many of the 'triggers' as possible. You can do this by :

For a Dog Food Allergy, feeding him a high-quality food (organic or hypoallergenic if possible), without dangerous chemicals and artificial additives can prevent, or at the least minimize, the development of food ingredient related sensitivities and allergies.

In cases of Flea Allergy, being vigilant about flea prevention is essential. Use a good, effective flea medication (such as Frontline Plus) on your pup during flea season. This could be for 4 months or year round, depending on where you live.

Preventing Inhalant Allergies is more challenging, but you can help control the problem with regular bathing and grooming, using HEPA filters in your vacuum and heat/AC units and minimizing your dogs' contact with long grasses etc.

Contact alllergies are fairly unusual, but they can occur when your dog comes in contact with something he's sensitive to, such as a flea collar, a blanket washed in a new detergent or something similar. The best treatment is to remove the allergen from his coat and skin by bathing him with a hypoallergenic shampoo, and then applying a hydrocortisone product to relieve the itch.

Your veterinarian can perform allergy test on your dog, either skin tests or blood tests, to determine the exact cause of the problem. There are also lots of products on the market that can help you treat the skin allergy symptoms that your dog may experience.

There are different shampoos such as hypoallergenic or hydrocortisone forumlas. 'Itch Stop' sprays, lotions and salves that soothe and reduce inflammation. Hydrocortisone products that help speed healing. Dietary supplements that improve skin condition and boost immunity, and some excellent dog foods that contain pure, natural ingredients to end food allergies and strengthen the digestive/immune system.

If your dog's skin conditions are severe, or appear to be infected (they may look very red, swollen, hot or crusty/oozing), your veterinarian may prescribe corticosteroids, cortisone shots or allergy/antihistamine medications. An elimination diet can be followed to expose a food allergy and isolate the offending ingredient/s.

A food intolerance, as opposed to a true food allergy, may cause vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite or lethargy. These symptoms can also indicate one of several serious canine illnesses, so if your dog experiences any of these, seek veterinary attention for a diagnosis.

Occasionally, dogs may have an allergic reaction to a vaccination. Again, certain breeds seem to be more predisposed towards this than others, these include :

Miniature Dachshunds

West Highland White Terriers

Old English Sheepdogs

Akitas

Portuguese Water Dogs

Weimaraners

Harlequin Great Danes

Most of these vaccine reactions are mild and may include symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite or a slight fever.

Moderate to severe reactions are rare, but can be extremely serious. If your puppy/dog develops any swelling or hives on his body, or particularly around or on his face, after having his shots (this could happen within minutes, or several hours later), seek immediate veterinary attention.

If your dog is having a severe allergic reaction the symptoms could progress to cause swelling in his throat, difficulty breathing, seizure and even death.

Overall, although dog allergies are not unusual, there's a lot you can do to reduce the chances of your pooch falling prey to them. If you suspect your pup is already experiencing a canine allergy of some sort, the strategies above should help you figure out what's causing the problem and make him feel better!

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