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Allergies – Dogs May Suffer Too
by: Kirsten Hawkins
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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.) |
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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.
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