Common allergies in dogs are manifested by scratching, tail chasing, coughing and wheezing, as well as eye and nose secretions. If your dog has one or more of these symptoms, he or she is most likely suffering from allergies.
Yes, dogs, like their owners, can suffer from allergies. Approximately 20% of the pets who live in our homes suffer from allergies of some kind.
Atopic dermatitis, flea allergic reaction, food allergic reaction, and inhalant allergy are the most common canine allergies.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a skin allergic reaction disease caused by your pet’s immune system developing sensitivities to common things such as moulds and allergens.
Your dog may have atopic dermatitis if he scratches and licks himself excessively (especially licking and chewing the paws, tummy, and legs), and his ears are hot to the touch.
Examine whether your dog’s saliva stains quickly. Another sign that your pet dog is atopic is a crimson to brown stain. The skin of the abdomen frequently changes colour, going from pink to a vivid crimson, then to black.
Allergy to Fleas
One of the most common indicators of allergies in dogs is flea allergy. Your dog may, however, detest the flea’s saliva rather than the flea itself.
A skin allergic reaction test is used to determine if your dog is allergic to fleas. If he or she is tested and the results are positive, a stringent control procedure can help to alleviate symptoms. Consult your veterinarian about the best treatment options for your family pet. There are numerous alternatives available, ranging from pills to sprays to hair washes.
Allergy to Inhalants
Dogs, like their owners, are susceptible to irritants inhaled from the environment. Pollen from trees, lawns, and flowers, as well as dust mites and moulds, are all common culprits.
Unlike their masters, who demonstrate inhalant allergy reactions by sneezing and coughing, canines express their reactions by scratching and biting, as well as frequent licking and paw chewing.
Recurrent infections in your dog’s ears are a less common reaction.
You can help your dog’s allergy symptoms by vacuuming frequently and cleaning the places where he spends a lot of time (like his sleeping area).
Allergies to foods
Allergies to the food that pets eat are also common.
Because food allergies can mimic any of the other allergy reactions discussed in this essay, and this is the most difficult to distinguish.
The first step is to eliminate any possible allergy-inducing active components from your pet’s diet. You can achieve this by making a handmade meal using a protein and starch source that your dog has never had before. Slowly add more components to it (one at a time for roughly a week). If symptoms reappear after a certain active ingredient is added, the allergy may be identified.
Allergies, on the other hand, may not manifest for up to a week after consuming the allergen. As a result, make sure to double-check your findings with your veterinarian. After you’ve confirmed it, stay away from the ingredient in the pet foods you’ll be feeding your pet after that.
Food allergies can also cause vomiting, diarrhoea, asthma, and, in some cases, habit changes.
Relief
Bathing and conditioning your pet on a regular basis might benefit your animal and alleviate his allergy symptoms. You can never bathe your pet too often, despite what the bulk of people will tell you.
Water helps to maintain your dog’s skin healthy by alleviating it. It also cleanses their bodies of irritants. To cure allergies, a variety of hair shampoos are easily accessible, depending on your pet’s specific condition.
Treatment
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids can also help your pet dog with allergies by reducing inflammation in the skin. Despite the fact that it weakens the immune system, it is usually necessary to treat an allergic reaction.
Increased appetite and thirst, as well as an increased risk of infection, are some of the negative effects. As a result, it is not recommended to use it for an extended period of time. If a longer period of use is required, your family pet will need to have regular blood and urine tests.
Prednisone
Prednisone is a short-acting steroid that is less harmful than longer-acting steroids since it may be given orally. These short-acting steroids can be effective when used with antihistamines and Omega fatty acids, as well as regular bathing.
An allergic reaction injection, also known as immunotherapy, is a set of treatments designed to help your dog develop resistance to substances he or she is now allergic to.
A skin and blood test is performed to determine what substances are causing your family pet’s allergic responses. These substances are then injected into your dog in gradually increasing volumes.
The canine becomes acclimated to the drugs over time and no longer exhibits allergies to them.
Learning what allergies your animals have and the allergens that cause them may be a time-consuming and painful process.
However, the effort is well worth it when you realise how the relief you provide your pet dog translates to an animal who is in a lot better mood and temperament, possibly as a thank you for taking the time to learn about and treat their problems.
