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Does Your Dog Have Allergies?
Does Your Dog Have Allergies? By Mike Nalbone
Many people don't realize that their dogs, just like human
beings, can suffer from allergies. In fact, about twenty
percent of the dogs in the United States alone suffer from
one allergy or another, with flea allergy dermatitis being
the most common form of allergies in dogs. Other types
include atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and inhalant
allergies.
Signs and symptoms of dog allergies may vary but are often
marked by persistent itching and discoloration of the skin
(most common in skin allergies), coughing, sneezing,
wheezing, and mucus discharge (most common in inhalant
allergies), and nausea, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea
(common to food allergies and other ailments.)
Over-the-counter preparations and treatments for common dog
allergies exist and may be purchased at any good pet supply
store, but care should be taken when choosing such
treatments. Consultation with a vet is the best first course
of action for several reasons. First of all, what you think
is an allergic reaction may actually be signs of a more
serious ailment and a vet should be the one to determine
whether that is the case. Secondly, if the allergy is severe
enough, over-the-counter treatments may not be sufficient to
treat the symptoms and a prescription strength treatment may
be required. There is also the chance that the dog does not
have an allergy at all. The last thing you want to do is
medicate your pet unnecessarily.
If you do think your dog has some type of allergy, consult
your vet. The doctor will be able to perform tests to
determine whether an allergic condition exists, how severe
it is, and what the proper treatment will be. If the dog has
an allergy to certain foods, it will be imperative to
restrict the animal's diet to eliminate those items that
cause a reaction. The vet's testing methods can help to
determine whether this type of allergy exists as well. If
the dog has flea allergy dermatitis (an allergic reaction to
the saliva of fleas, rather than to the insects themselves),
an extreme flea prevention regimen will be recommended.
Just like humans, dogs that suffer from various allergies
can live comfortably with them if they are detected and
treated properly. It is important to keep in mind that this
is not a time to "play doctor" by attempting to diagnose and
treat a possible allergic condition yourself. Only your
veterinarian is qualified to determine whether your dog is
suffering from allergies and what course of action to take.
About the Author:
Mike Nalbone is the publisher of The Dog Blog at:
http://DogBlog.thynke.com
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