What Is Ringworm In Dogs
Despite the name, ringworm isnt actually caused by worms, but rather by a fungal infection. Ringworm is contagious to humans and can be transferred from dogs to humans and other animals.
The symptoms of ringworm in dogs are itching and patches of hair loss, usually located on the head, ears, and forelegs. This helps to differentiate it from a flea bite allergy.
Why Pet Allergies Hit You
Usually, not everyone in a family or household is allergic to pets. Just as you have your mom’s smile or dad’s laugh, you may have inherited your family’s genetic predisposition to allergies. Add to this a higher risk of developing allergies to pets if you have other allergies or asthma, and it’s clear why you may be alone in your congestion. What’s not clear just yet, says Chiu, is why one person can have mild symptoms, while another is laid low with an acute, asthma-like response.
Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to manage pet allergies — no matter how they affect you. But before you try the following tips, it’s a good idea to make sure you really are allergic to dander. If you’re not positive you are allergic to dogs, cats, or other pets, visit an allergist, who can help identify which specific allergen is triggering your symptoms.
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Dog Allergies Caused By Food
Dogs can develop a food allergy or food hypersensitivity at any age, and to any carbohydrate or protein component of their food. Antihistamines and steroids are usually not effective in treating a food allergy in dogs.
Instead, to identify and treat food allergies in dogs, most veterinarians recommend an elimination diet that will cut out specific ingredients, one at a time.
Once you identify the allergen, you can then eliminate that specific component from your dogs diet for good.
Your vet will advise you of the best way to carry out this diet. It is essential that you stick to the diet all the way through, even if your dogs symptoms subside. Treats and supplements are also components of the exclusion diet.
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Hydrogen Peroxide Baking Soda And Dishwashing Liquid For Deodorizing
Aside from the redness, swelling, sneezing, and other symptoms a skunk encounter can create for your dog, is the offensive smell. A de-skunking remedy Khuly suggests is a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dishwashing liquid, which she says works on skunked fur and everything the skunked fur has contact with. Mix four cups of hydrogen peroxide with one-third cup baking soda and a small squirt of dishwashing liquid, and apply it liberally to your pets coat, she says. Rinse well after about five minutes and repeat if necessary.
While its not the most glamorous topic, this solution also works well for stinky anal glands, Khuly says.
Symptoms Of Allergies In Dogs
The symptoms of allergies in dogs may vary depending on the cause. A dog that goes into anaphylactic shock, for instance, will have a drop in blood pressure followed by shock, which is very different from a skin condition.
In general, however, the following symptoms could be a sign of an allergic reaction.
- Itchiness
- Swelling of the face, ears, lips, eyelids, or earflaps
- Red, inflamed skin
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Is It Possible To Get Used To Dog Allergies
While you can get used to sniffling, sneezing, and itchy eyes over time, it will take a toll on your body and immune system. People who experience breathing problems from dog allergies cannot get used to breathing poorly.
With help, you can live more comfortably with dog allergies. Keep one-room dog-free. Clean often, keep air filters up to date, get an air purifier, and try to reduce shedding by bathing the dog often and brushing the animal often. Next, take over-the-counter medicine to reduce symptoms. If possible, keep your dogs outside to reduce allergens in your home. Change your clothes if your dog decides to sit or slobber on you.
Chamomile Tea For Upset Stomach And Minor Irritation
Chamomile soothes the stomach by decreasing muscle spasms and cramps, Morgan says. It also decreases inflammation of mucous membranes, so it decreases inflammation of the stomach and intestinal lining. Chamomile tea can be added to dog food or your dog’s water bowl, or given by mouth with a syringe, she says.
Getting your dog to drink something new is not always easy, however, admits Dr. Patty Khuly, owner of Miami, Florida-based Sunset Animal Clinic. She primarily uses chamomile on dogs with minor rashes and irritations.
Khuly recommends brewing a strong chamomile tea, pouring it into a clean spray bottle, and letting it cool in the refrigerator. Then, spray liberally onto red or raw skin for an immediate soothing effectwith no sting.
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# 3 Quercetin And Dog Allergies
Quercetin is a phytonutrient found in fruits and vegetables. Its an antioxidant and it also antihistamine and anti-inflammatory.
Quercetin is called Natures Benadryl because it can turn off histamine production. Histamines are chemicals that cause allergic reactions. Research has shown that quercetin prevents immune cells from releasing histamines. Quercetin is in foods like broccoli and apples. But its best to give your dog quercetin in a supplement, so you get the concentrated benefits.
How Much Quercetin For Dogs With Allergies?
For a convenient way to give your dog some allergy relief, try a quercetin supplement. Quercetin supplements come in pill, powder or capsule form. They often contain bromelain, which is an enzyme that makes quercetin more effective.
Quercetin is best given on an empty stomach. The recommended dose is 8 mg for every pound of your dogs weight.
- For a 20 lb dog, give 160 mg
- For a 50 lb dog, give 400 mg
Ways To Manage Pet Allergies
If your allergies arent severe, you might be able to find a way to live in harmony with your pet. Even if you do re-home your animal, allergens can be present in your home for up to six months after the animal has left.
There are several things you can do to help reduce the amount of pet allergens in your home. These include:
- Keep your pet in a limited area: Restrict your pets access to areas of your homeespecially your bedroomwhere allergens can cling to your furniture and bedding. Ideally, keep your pet in a room without a rug, or use an area rug that is machine washable.
- Keep surfaces clean: Vacuum your floors and furniture frequently to reduce pet allergens. Dander can also be removed from the furniture with a lint roller.
- Use a HEPA filter: High-efficiency particulate air filters can help trap pet dander and other allergens that are in the air.
- Keep filters clean: Change the filters in your air conditioning and heating systems regularly to improve air quality.
- Change your clothes after spending time with your pet: Pet allergens can collect on your clothing, particularly if youve been cuddling your pet.
- Wash your hands: Wash your hands with soap and warm water after touching your pet to reduce allergens on your skin.
- Brush and bathe your pet regularly: Keeping your pet clean and groomed can reduce the amount of dander that ends up in your environment. However, you might want to ask someone else to perform these tasks to limit your exposure to pet allergens.
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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.
What Other Types Of Treatments Are Available For Dog Allergy
A knowledgeable veterinarian will be able to prescribe the corresponding symptomatic treatment for your pets allergies together with the above-mentioned steps. It is important to provide a treatment regimen that will not only suppress the symptom but will also build-up your pets natural defenses as well. It is important to note that most conventional treatments only address the symptoms without addressing the root cause of the allergy.
If youd like to know the process your dog may go through, please read our article on testing your dog for allergies.
This results to a worse condition than your dog has been before and this results to heavier dosage of medications and more expenses without really stopping the recurrence of the allergy. I am not saying that these symptomatic treatments are not helpful at all, they are. But they need to be used in conjunction with other treatments that will boost your pets immune system.
To see what other useful treatments you can provide to your dog, heres a great article on what you can provide to alleviate your dogs allergy symptoms.
There are other methods of classifying dog allergies based on several categories and they include:
- The time it takes for the allergic reaction to occur,
- The type of immune system response i.e. Type I to IV hypersensitivity,
- Inherited form,
- Clinical symptoms.
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Diagnosing Allergies In Dogs From Dog Allergy Testing And More
Diagnosing dog allergies can be very tricky, and should always be done in consultation with your veterinarian. The type of allergy testing used to find the allergen depends on the type of allergic reaction, and the suspected allergen.
This can differ greatly depending on lifestyle, breed, and age of the dog.
Blood tests and pin-prick tests are used to narrow down potential environmental allergens, while parasitic allergens are usually easily identified upon the dogs coat.
Food allergies should always be tested using an exclusion diet, as no other method has proven reliable.
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- 15.5 fl oz
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Allergies Caused By Fleas And Parasites
Almost every dog will get fleas, ticks, mites, or other parasites at some point in its life. Usually, these parasites are easily removed, and the dog will not have an adverse reaction. However, some pets will develop allergies, mainly relating to biting parasites. It is typically the parasites saliva that causes the allergic reaction in dogs.
Flea bite hypersensitivity in dogs will cause extreme itching and discomfort to your pet, this is known as flea bite dermatitis or pruritus. Symptoms and signs include:
- excessive scratching
- hair loss
- formation of scabs or lesions on the skin.
Symptoms are episodic and tend to worsen in summer months, as well as when the pet ages.
Diagnosis of a parasite or flea allergy is relatively straightforward, as you or your veterinarian will be able to identify the parasites on the dogs skin.
Treating the allergic reaction usually involves removing the parasite, either with a topical medicine or by grooming. This should stop the reaction.
For excessive itching, vets may prescribe steroids , antihistamines or antibiotics for a secondary infection.
What Is The Best Medicine For Pet Allergies
Antihistamines are the best medicine for pet allergies as they block the effects of the allergens that affect your immune system. You can buy a variety of over-the-counter medications or speak to your doctor for a stronger antihistamine. Nasal sprays are another option to reduce symptoms, as are decongestants. There are no good options for those with breathing problems from pet allergies.
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Pet Allergies: Causes Symptoms Treatment And More
Have you experienced coughing, itching, sneezing, watery eyes, or other symptoms after cuddling or playing with your pet? If so, you might have pet allergiesand youre not alone. As many as three in 10 people have allergies to dogs and cats.
Read more about the causes and symptoms of pet allergies, as well as ways to manage your symptoms.
Types Of Dog Allergies
Allergies can result from the bodys immune system reacting to the presence of specific foreign substances, usually food. They affect both animals and people and can come in many different types almost exclusive to the organism.
However, like humans, dogs can also experience skin and food allergies and environmental allergens, making life more complicated for them and their owners. These allergy symptoms can sometimes overlap, leading to confusion and even misdiagnosis.
While there is dog food for allergies, ensure that the first order of business is to visit a veterinarian whenever you suspect your dog of having allergies.
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Clean Your Carpets And Rugs At Least Once A Week
If youre looking to reduce the amount of dander in your home, focus on spots that tend to be magnets for it, like carpets and rugs, Taha Al-Shaikhly, M.D., an allergy and immunology fellow at UW Medicine, tells SELF. Make sure to vacuum carpets once a week with a device that has a HEPA filter. These suck up tiny bits of matter, like pet dander, that other vacuums might miss, according to the AAAAI. On a similar note, if you have rugs, launder those once a week.
Pet dander can also stick to hard surfaces like walls and floors, so be sure to clean those regularly based on the proper care instructions for the materials in question.
Can You Live With A Pet If You Are Allergic
Dr. Gupta says that while no cat or dog is hypoallergenic, it may be possible to have a peteven if you have pet allergiesif youre absolutely set on the idea. In addition to the immunotherapy that she recommends, she also suggests the following:
- Purchase a HEPA filter
- Clean floors regularly with a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner
- Dont allow your pet to sleep in the bedroom with you
- Give your pet a bath once per week
Chances are if youve fallen in love with your pet before you discovered youre allergic, youll likely want to find a way to keep your four-legged friend around. It will take more work and likely be more expensive, but it is possible to have a pet even if youre allergic.
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Allergy Relief For Dogs: Diy Remedies That Work
You might not know this, but dog allergies are one of the top reasons dogs are euthanized. Thats because treating allergies is expensive and rarely works. And nobody likes to see their dog suffer.
Itchy skin, hot spots, anal glands, ears or feet, digestive problems and chronic diarrhea these allergy symptoms can make life miserable for your dog and for you. And the drugs your vet wants your dog to take will make them worse over time
The good news is there are natural options that will give your dog some allergy relief.
How To Treat Canine Allergies
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This article has been viewed 5,334 times.
Dogs suffer from allergies much like humans do. In addition to making dogs uncomfortable, allergies can lead to infection and can be tricky to diagnose and treat. In order to help dogs with their allergies, it’s important to learn about the causes of canine allergies and how to treat them effectively.
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Can Pet Allergies Be Prevented
The best way to prevent pet allergies is to avoid exposure to animals that cause an allergic reaction. Following your doctorâs recommended regimen of allergy medication can minimize your reactions and reduce symptoms when you are around animals.
For some people, allergy shots offer a long-term treatment solution to managing pet allergies. Each time you have an allergy shot, your body responds by lowering your sensitivity to the allergen. Depending on your unique situation, allergy shots may help prevent pet allergy symptoms even after you stop receiving this treatment. Talk with your doctor about whether allergy shots may be a good choice for you.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/25/2018.
References
Opt For Extra Moisturising Eye Drops
Swelling, itching and watering the eyes can suffer after exposure to pet allergies. As the area is already quite sensitive at this time, we dont want to make matters worse by putting harsh products on top and because of this Id always go for natural eye drops.
Our Extra Moisturising Eye Drops are a superb option as they contain natural ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and a herb known as eyebright. Together these ingredients act swiftly to ease irritation and moisturise the eyes.
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How Do I Figure Out Whats Causing My Dogs Allergies
Its often very tricky to pinpoint the cause of dog allergies, so consulting your veterinarian is usually the best course of action. An additional avenue is to give your pup an at-home dog allergy test kit, which tests for .sensitivity or intolerance to food and environmental factors. Then, you can share these results with your vet to work on a treatment plan.
