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How Do You Treat Allergies In Dogs

Dog Food Allergiesfrom Chicken To Grains

How to treat dog allergies

Just like people can be sensitive or allergic to certain foods, so can dogs. Food allergies in dogs can manifest in a number of ways, not just through an upset stomach.

Skin problems and breathing problems can also indicate a dog food allergy, as can an ear infection. Scooting can also often be a sign of a food allergy in dogs.

Diagnosing The Secondary Skin Infections In Dogs

There is often a secondary infection that develops on a dogs skin with FAD. Your vet can use cytology to diagnose any secondary skin infections.

Cutaneous cytology is a valuable diagnostic tool. Using a piece of tape to collect a surface sample from a skin lesion helps determine the type of microbial population as well as the inflammatory component present.4

It is quick and inexpensive. This helps guide the doctor to prescribe the most appropriate and effective treatment for the patient.

Environmental & Seasonal Allergies In Dogs

Dogs with environmental allergies are affected by inhaled allergens in the home and outdoors. This includes dust, dust mites, pollens from trees, grasses, weeds, molds, and more. The list of potential allergens is very long, and may vary depending on which plants are found in your climate.

Usually, symptoms occur due to inhaling these allergens, but direct skin contact with allergens can also cause symptoms. Just like environmental allergies in humans, symptoms tend to be seasonal. But symptoms may worsen and become year-round over time.

Commonly environmental or seasonal allergies are inherited, in which case its known as atopy.

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Flea Allergies In Dogs

Flea Allergy Dermatitis skin irritation and infections that occur secondary to this allergy is the most common skin problem in dogs.

Technically, your dog isnt allergic to fleastheyre allergic to flea saliva. This is different from normal itchiness in response to a bug bite. Instead, dogs with flea allergies will compulsively lick and scratch after as little as 1-2 bites, often chewing their skin raw and causing an infection.

Diagnosing a flea saliva allergy can be tricky because you might not see the flea. For example, if your pup is out for a walk and a single flea jumps on and bites them but then falls off when your dog scratches, that one bite can cause a raging skin reaction that lasts up to a week!

Skin Parasites Like Mites Cause Scabies

The Holistic Approach to Treating Your Dog

Scabies or sarcoptic mange is a serious skin condition that can affect dogs of any age and breed. The culprit is a tiny mite called the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. This is a skin parasite that is extremely contagious.

These mites will burrow under the dogs skin, which can lead to extreme itching, hair loss, and scabbing.

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How To Prevent Yeast Infections In Dogs

Prevention of yeast infections in dogs must include addressing the underlying cause to reduce the likelihood that the infection will reoccur.

Routine bathing with an antifungal shampoo may be beneficial. However, for shampoo treatment to be effective, the lather must sit on a dogs skin for a minimum of 10 minutes before rinsing.

Dogs with skin folds may need to have maintenance treatment to keep these areas from becoming too moist, as yeast thrive in moist, dark places such as skin folds and ears.

Dogs that have had allergy testing and are determined to be allergic to yeast can be desensitized by including yeast as an ingredient in immunotherapy .

If you suspect that your dog has a yeast infection, consult your regular veterinarian for a diagnosis and treatment plan that is appropriate for your pet.

What Is Contact Allergy

Contact allergy is the least common type of allergy in dogs. It results from direct contact to allergens, such as pyrethrins found in flea collars, pesticides used on the lawn, grasses, materials such as wool or synthetics used in carpets or bedding, etc. Contact allergies can develop to practically anything and at any age.

“…there will be skin irritation and itching at the points of contact…”

If the dog is allergic to any of these substances, there will be skin irritation and itching at the points of contact, usually the feet and stomach. Removal of the allergen often solves the problem.

Caution: The symptoms of allergies can be confused with other disorders, or occur concurrently with them. Therefore, do not attempt to diagnose your dog without veterinary professional assistance. Be prepared for your pet to receive a full diagnostic evaluation to rule out other causes of itching and skin problems. If an allergy is diagnosed, your whole family must follow your veterinarian’s advice very closely in order to successfully relieve your pet’s discomfort.

Contributors: Catherine Barnette, DVM Ernest Ward, DVM

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What Is My Dog Allergic To

Not all dogs with allergies have the same condition. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they may affect several areas of the body.

There are many different types of allergens your dog can be sensitive to. Some dogs may have just one type of allergy, while others may suffer from multiple allergies.

Below are common types of dog allergies.

Supplements To Enhance And Boost Cooling Effects

What to Do for a Dog with Allergies

Omega-3s Omega-3s have incredible anti-inflammatory properties that many dogs need during allergy season. Omega-3 fatty acids provide optimal nourishment to the skin and coat and even help relieve joint pain! They also help skin retain moisture and hydration.

A key part of my treatment protocol when helping to manage allergies is Omega-3 fatty acids. Supplements rich in Omega-3s, like Side by Sides Shine Through Supplement, also help brain and cell function, says Dr. Birken.

Probiotics Allergy symptoms worsen if the digestive system is out of balance. Having a healthy gastrointestinal tract is essential for dogs as all food nutrients are absorbed and assimilated here.

Probiotics help bring balance and harmony to the gastrointestinal tract.

A healthy gut is essential in ensuring my patients have strong immune systems. And a strong immune system supports healthy skin. I prescribe Belly Balance Probiotics as part of my treatment plan when managing pet allergies, says Dr. Birken.

  • Helps maintain Gut Flora In The Digestive Tract Provides Enzymes and Factors Necessary for Proper Digestion Assists in the Digestion and Absorption of Essential Nutrients Provides Beneficial

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Causes Of Allergic Reactions

An allergen that can cause an acute allergic reaction in dogs, as previously mentioned, can be environmental, chemical, or pharmaceutical.

In years past, it was quite common for small breed dogs to have an allergic reaction to the Leptospirosis vaccine. Pharmaceutical companies have come a long way, though, in making more pure vaccines. While vaccine reactions can still occur, it’s much less common. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can cause kidney failure in dogs and people. That means getting this vaccine for your dog protects both of you.

Treatment Of Allergic Reactions

Your veterinarian will threat most allergic reactions the same regardless of the allergen. They might use an injection of an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine as well as an injection of a corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone. In rarer, more severe cases, additional therapeutics, such as oxygen supplementation and epinephrine, and additional monitoring of blood pressure as well as heart rate and rhythm may be warranted.

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Are There Hypoallergenic Pets

All dogs and cats can cause allergy symptoms. People with dog or cat allergies may tolerate some breeds more than others. People may think those breeds are hypoallergenic, but a truly non-allergic dog or cat does not exist.

You can be allergic to the animals skin cells, urine, and/or saliva. These have different proteins your immune system may react to. Research is looking into if there is a way to change the proteins so that they dont trigger symptoms.

When choosing a pet, consider fostering one first to see if you have an allergic reaction. Another option is to choose pets that do not have fur or feathers. Fish, snakes, or turtles are some good choices.

Best Dog Allergy Medications

How To Treat Dog Skin Allergies Holistically

If youre wondering what medications your vet may prescribe or recommend for your pups allergies, check out our articles on the best allergy medications for dogs and allergy shots for dogs. Not all dogs respond well to all allergy medicine, so your vet may need to tweak your pups medication therapy to find the best treatment.

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How Are Seasonal Allergies In Dogs Diagnosed

Your vet can tell you for sure if your dog is experiencing seasonal allergies or something else, based upon your pet’s history, a physical exam, laboratory tests and their response to therapy. You can also take your dog to a dermatologist for skin testing another accurate method for diagnosing seasonal allergies.

Skin testing is usually performed by a board-certified veterinary dermatologist, who measures your pet’s reaction to microdoses of different allergens to determine exactly which they’re allergic to. Using this information, they can make a serum for allergy shots that may make your dog’s response to allergens less intense over time.

Blood testing is another route to consider, although skin testing is considered the more accurate approach.

A Complete Guide To Dog Allergies: Causes Treatments And More

Dog allergieslike allergies in humans and other animalsoccur when the immune system overreacts to a perceived threat from an outside source. Although increasingly common, it can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Read on to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and management of allergies in dogs.

  • 5 Facts You Need To Know About Allergies In Dogs!
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    How Can I Treat My Dog’s Environmental Allergies

    Its important to understand there is no cure for atopy, just management. Even with great treatment, your pet will have occasional flare-ups. The goal of treatment is to reduce the frequency and intensity of these flare-ups.

  • Avoid what your dog is allergic to. For example, if your dog is allergic to wool, remove the wool blankets and rugs from the house.
  • Wipe off your dogs skin and paws after she comes inside to remove as many allergens and irritants from the skin before they can do more harm.
  • Bath your dog twice weekly during her allergy season. Your vet can prescribe a medicated shampoo to help reduce itch, improve the skin barrier, treat yeast and bacterial infections, and soothe the skin. Be sure to discuss shampoo options with your vet as this is a great option to have on hand at home and use during flare-ups.
  • Consistent good flea control in case flea allergies are also an issue
  • Medications to reduce the immune systems over-response to allergens like steroids or other immunomodulating drugs
  • Antigen-injections or oral drops
  • Omega Fatty Acid supplementation to reduce inflammation and improve the skin barrier
  • Steroids used to be the main drug type used to treat atopy and give itch and inflammation control. Unfortunately, steroids can have a lot of negative short and long term side effects

    Signs Of Dog Seasonal Allergies

    5 Signs Of Food Allergies In Dogs

    The reactions dogs have to allergens are slightly different from those of humans. Itchy skin and recurrent ear infections are the most common signs of seasonal allergies in dogs, but your pet may also experience red, swollen eyes, a clear, runny nose and fits of sneezing.

    The itchiness your pet may experience can range from intense to mild, and is most likely to occur in the armpit, groin, muzzle or paw regions. Note: Dogs can scratch themselves raw. So if you notice them scratching, rubbing on carpet or furniture, chewing or licking themselves more than normal, it’s worth taking them to see a veterinarian. This behavior can lead to painful infections signs of which include unusual odor and discharge that will require treatment.

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    Why Conventional Drugs Dont Work

    Allergy symptoms happen when your dogs immune system misfires. This causes your dog to react to things in his food or environment that are normally safe.

    The drugs vets give suppress important parts of your dogs immune system. This might reduce your dogs reaction to allergens but it disables his immune system. This means cancer cells, viruses and bacteria can grow unchecked in your dog. Theres no functional immune system to find and destroy harmful invaders.

    So the benefit of your dogs allergy drugs comes at a very high cost to your dog. Its a price you dont want to pay.

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    How To Help A Dog With Skin Allergies

    Allergies are the worst! The sniffling, the sneezing, the stuffy nose…But unlike your allergies, your dog doesn’t usually have the same symptoms you do. Often, when a dog suffers from allergies, his skin reacts to surrounding allergens by becoming itchy and inflamed. And this reaction can cause a host of other issues for your pup.

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    Allergies In Dogs: Treatment With Natural Remedies

    If your dog is constantly scratching itself, losing fur, or developing a rash, it may mean that your pet is suffering from an allergy. Allergies have become an increasingly frequent issue in dogs.

    Be it a food allergy, skin allergy, environmental allergy, or seasonal allergy, your furry friend will be able to get rid of those troublesome allergic symptoms in no time given the right diagnosis, treatment, and care.

    Contents

    What Are Canine Skin Allergies

    Allergies in Dogs: Treatment With Natural Remedies

    The most common canine skin allergy is allergic dermatitis or atopic dermatitisatopy for short. Allergic dermatitis is an inflammatory, persistent skin condition that occurs when a dog’s immune system overreacts to a particular allergen.

    Allergens can be anything from plant pollen to mold spores to food to pests. While allergies in humans often present as nasal symptoms and hives, dogs tend to react with skin irritation and even gastrointestinal problems.

    Interestingly, many dogs that suffer from have an inherited predisposition for developing them. Often, dogs begin showing signs of skin allergies before age 7, but that’s not a hard and fast rule. Just like humans, dogs can develop skin allergies at any age. In fact, many allergies actually worsen as a dog ages.1

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    Common Veterinary Treatments For Dog Allergies

    Sneezing, itching, paw licking, runny eyes dog allergies can present in many ways. Heres how you can give your dog relief.

    Dogs can get all kinds of different allergies. It might sound strange, but they can get runny eyes and sneezing fits, just like people do. Canine allergies can also be characterized by a range of other symptoms, including scabs or other skin complaints, itchy ears, increased scratching, vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive licking or chewing of various body parts. If you suspect that your canine companion is suffering from allergies, you should take her to see her vet right away. Some allergies can be serious, and even minor ones cause a good deal of discomfort. There are a number of veterinary treatments that may be prescribed for dog allergies.

    Prevention

    The best way to rid your dog of allergies is prevention. If your pups vet can figure out what shes allergic to, then its a simple matter of removing the allergen. For instance, if shes allergic to a certain type of food, all youll have to do is stop feeding it to her. That said some allergens, such as pollen, are harder to keep out of your dogs life.

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    Anti-Histamines

    Fatty Acids

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    Cortisone

    Topical Therapy

    Immunotherapy

    Steroids

    Treat The Allergies To Treat Your Dog

    Dog allergies are nothing to sneeze at. They can be incredibly uncomfortable for your furry friend. If you notice excessive itching, licking, biting or head shaking, it may mean your dog is trying to tell youhelp I have allergies!

    Properly diagnosing your dogs allergies is the first step to providing them some much-needed relief. With avoidance and vet-prescribed treatment geared to your dogs individual needs, you can effectively manage their symptoms. This means they can get back to cuddling, playing, exploring and of course, begging for those well-deserved treats.

    If you have any questions or concerns about your pups allergies, chat with one of the vets from AskVet today! Were here 24/7 for all your puppy needs to help your pup live a long, healthy, allergy-free life.

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    How To Treat A Dog With Allergies

    Some helpful tips on how to treat a dog with allergies

    Just like us, dogs can develop allergies. These can be brought on by a number of different factors: dust, flea bites, food sensitivity and mold, along with countless other environmental factors. They can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or eaten. And if your dog has an allergy, it can present itself in numerous ways, such as a rash, coughing, sneezing, runny eyes and inflammation. When this happens, what do you do? Dont fret we know how to treat a dog with allergies.

    Lets go over a few of the most common dog allergy symptoms and how you can treat them at home.

    The best thing you can do is prevent the allergies before they happen. It your dog is allergic to pollen, keep him inside when during the morning and evening, when airborne pollen is at its worst. If dust is a problem, be vigilant with vacuuming, dusting and washing his sleeping area. You may want to consider buying an air purifier.

    If you notice bumps on your dogs face, it may be because your dog is allergic to his dishes. Use stainless or glass pet bowls and throw those plastic bowls away. When your dog comes in from outside, wipe or rinse his feet to get rid of any lingering allergens. And keep your windows closed to keep anything from blowing inside.

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