Posts Tagged ‘Dog Allergies’

Advice On Identifying Dog Allergies

Friday, February 19th, 2010

There are a variety of conditions that can make a dog itch or sneeze, including endocrine, autoimmune, infectious, and parasitic skin diseases. Therefore, some detective work is necessary to identify the right cause.

If allergies are thought to be the cause, the first thing a veterinarian will usually ask is if the dog is on a flea-control product. Flea allergies are the most common type of allergies and the easiest to control. Dog owners have many options available from high-street and online pet stores.

Once flea allergies are ruled out, and if the itch is non-seasonal, food allergies are the next thing to be checked. Food allergies are not seasonal, whereas most atopic allergies begin as a seasonal problem.

Dogs which develop atopic allergies usually show symptoms between 1 and 5 years of age, but food allergies can be a problem at any time. They are high up on the list of suspected causes when a dog first gets itchy skin at an age less than 6 months, or over 5 years.

When testing for food allergies, the dog is put on what is referred to as an “elimination diet” for around 10 weeks. This means the dog is fed food that consists of a protein and carbohydrate that the dog has not eaten before, such as venison, duck, and potatoes.

Veterinarians offer these special foods, and some may be found in pet stores. Another option is to feed the dog a homemade diet of foods based on recommendations from the veterinarian.

If the dog’s itching subsides, the allergen is clearly being caused by one of the foods that make up its regular diet. To confirm this, the dog owner can reintroduce the old diet to see if the symptoms return.

To check for atopic and contact allergies, veterinary dermatologists use an intradermal allergy test (also known as a skin reaction test). The dog is mildly sedated, a postcard-sized area on the side of it is shaved, and small amounts of potential allergens are injected into the skin. Should the dog be allergic to a particular substance, the skin will become slightly inflamed, showing that the cause of the allergy has been found.

Next : How Do You Know If Your Dog Has Food Allergies?

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Dog Allergies: How to Deal with Them

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

We love dogs for a reason. Having a loyal friend and playmate that will love you forever and never run out of energy? Perfect. Getting close to a dog is harder for some people than others, however. Certain dog allergies can rear their ugly heads and cause unexpected problems. A significant minority of the population suffers from dog and pet allergies. Some are even forced to find a new home for their dog because of intensified allergies. This wouldn’t be the most desired solution, of course, and it can be heartbreaking. Fortunately, there are other ways.

The allergens that dogs produce come from the proteins in three sources; Dander (shed skin cells,) saliva, and urine. People with supersensitive immune systems react to these proteins and this is what causes the symptoms. A common misconception is that hairless dogs will not produce allergens. Although hairless dogs produce less allergen, they still produce saliva and urine, making such a claim untrue. The symptoms of these allergies are very similar to those of other minor allergies. People with dog allergies may suffer from itchy eyes, runny nose, asthma symptoms, red itchy skin or a rash. These allergies can prove to be quite a nuisance, but there are lots of ways to reduce the effects of the symptoms that Fido just may decide to leave behind.

A clean home is the best defense against dog allergies and allergens. Vacuuming every week or so, buy furniture that doesn’t absorb allergens, avoiding clutter, and running air purifiers will reduce the amount of dander floating around in your house. Bathing your dog will also flush out anything festering in the fur. Just remember to also wash your dog’s bedding as well, or else that bath won’t do any good.

Or you can go the easy route and buy some products specifically made to reduce allergens. Allerpet D is a shampoo that helps keep the skin on the dog without drying it out too much. Lowering the chance of dog allergies is as easy as adopting good habits and behaviors!

Of course, if the allergies are too bad, consulting with a professional may be your best bet. Some strong medication is out there, both prescription and over the counter, that can mitigate the runny noses and itchy eyes. For extreme cases, you can get allergy shots, which are a good idea if you have bad allergies in general. Kicking your dog to the curb should be a last resort.

Visit the Hypoallergenic Dog Food Guide for more info on allergies that can occur within dogs.

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Helping a Dog with Allergy Problems

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Though many of the better solutions to dog allergies may seem very expensive, there are a number of relatively low-cost options that can help minimize your dog’s discomfort from allergies. Though curing a dog’s allergies isn’t really possible, there are a handful of treatment options that can really help make sure your dog is comfortable.

One of the best and easiest ways to alleviate your dog’s allergies is by feeding him a well balanced and healthy diet. Premium dog food brands are often preferable to low-end commercial dog food, greatly improving skin and fur conditions to help deal with allergies. Since they help with your dog’s overall health and well-being, premium dog foods can really help your dog’s allergy problems.

Omega-3 fatty acids are an especially important part of your dog’s diet. These fatty acids not only improve brain function and stimulation growth and development, but they also have a natural anti-inflammatory effect. This anti-inflammatory effect helps reduce or prevent allergies. Fish oil capsules contain plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids, so you might consider supplementing your dog’s normal diet with these, especially ones that also contain vitamin E.

Make sure that your dog gets bathed regularly, since this can also help reduce allergy problems. Specially formulated dog shampoos can help make sure that your dog’s skin irritation is minimized. The best shampoos are those that are designed to be hypoallergenic or anti-itch shampoos. Dog shampoo containing oatmeal can greatly reduce itching. Even regular bathing without a specially created shampoo can help a dog’s allergies, since it will get allergens out of their coat and limit their exposure. Make sure that you get all of the soap off of your dog, since otherwise it might cause irritation and worsen itching that the dog already has.

If you can’t solve the problem yourself, consider taking a dog in to see the vet to help with their allergy problems. Allergy shots and medications can often clear up problems that even the best diet and bathing can’t always help.

Taylor writes on a variety of other subjects, including how to select a large dog bed.

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Dog Allergies to Food

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Dog allergies to food have been shown to give a dog much discomfort. This can cause them to itch and scratch. We may not know all the reason why dogs have these allergies, but we can simplify by narrowing down their symptoms, diagnose it and then eliminate the possible source.

Food allergies don’t prey on a specific breed or gender of dog. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it will show up right after birth. Sometimes food allergies show up around 2 years old and in some, and much later than that for others. Just like with humans, sometimes food allergies go hand in hand with other problems, such as contact allergies or sinus issues.

Dog allergies to food create hotspots and the itching and scratching of the skin. Food intolerances, however, can cause a dog to have an upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, or vomiting. Getting rid of the food culprit can cure both issues.

Some of the most common allergies of food for dogs have been found to be fish, wheat, soy, dairy, lamb, chicken, beef, and chicken eggs. This can be a surprise to many as there are a few ingredients found in foods that market it being sensitive for dogs that have allergies. Food allergy symptoms usually produce hair loss, biting on skin, scratching, and ear and skin infections.

Try to rule out the type of food your dog is eating by making them eat one thing for several weeks (choose one protein and one carbohydrate) and then figure out if the symptoms persist. Make sure that the dog is only eating what is specified as well as water up to about 12 weeks.

Before you can pinpoint what food is causing the allergy, you have to first rule out common skin conditions, fleabite allergies, etc. Once these conditions are ruled out–you can go ahead and begin food testing. During your dog’s food testing, you will want to pick one protein and carbohydrate and have your dog eat ONLY that with water for approximately 3 months. Doing this–will allow you to have control of what your dog is eating.Once symptoms occur for some foods and not for others, you will be able to pick and choose a diet that is well suited for him.

Learn more about The Hunting Dog. Stop by Lizzie Novotny’s site where you can find out all about dog training and what it can do for your dog.

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Providing Relief from Dog Allergies

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Many dogs can suffer from allergic reactions to various things. Breeds such as Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Schnauzers, and Terriers may be genetically pre-disposed to allergies, specifically, allergies caused by ingredients found in food.

Some symptoms of food allergies in dogs and cats are their skin becomes itchy and irritated on their face, feet, ears, forelegs, armpits and the area around the anus. Additional symptoms include frequent ear infections, hair loss, excessive scratching, hot spots, and skin infections that respond to antibiotics but reoccur after antibiotics are discontinued. Dogs with food allergies may have an increased incidence of bowel movements. Dogs without allergies tend to have around 1.5 bowel movements per day where some dogs with food allergies may have 3 or more per day.

Suspected dog food ingredients such as preservatives, additives, peanut butter and tomatoes can cause your dog to have allergic reactions; Peanut butter is sometimes found in dog biscuits, and tomato paste is typically found in many dry dog foods. Protein can also cause dog allergies and is present in such items as chicken, beef, carbohydrates, wheat or corn. A diet of lamb and rice is recommended by veterinarians for dogs with such allergic reactions.

You can prepare allergy free pet food for dog at home. Remember, dogs love fresh vegetables such as carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. Keep in mind that vegetables also provide additional benefits that will help your dog or cat live a longer more healthy life. Be sure to change your dog’s diet gradually as to avoid stomach problems.

Some dog allergies are due to the environment. Pets are commonly allergic to trees, grass, pollen and fabrics such as wool or nylon. Others environmental causes would include plastic or rubber materials, mites, flea bites or insects. Their body responds to these allergens by becoming itchy. When dogs scratch too much, sores develop which creates a perfect place for a bacterial infection to manifest itself. When a dog is not in direct contact with the allergen, Veterinarians diagnose dermatitis by inhalation, aka Atopy, which is an allergy that results from inhalation of pollen, dust, mold, or any allergy substance in the air.

Inflammation of the Paws, ears, and face may be a result of dog allergies. Seek advice from your veterinarian about controlling pet allergies. To provide relief and healing to sores on a dog’s body, treatments such as fatty acid supplements, hypoallergenic shampoo and hydrocortisone creams are most efficient. Antihistamines may be used to relieve the dogs itching and make your dogs suffering more bearable. There are a few side effects to make note of when using an antihistamine. Among these are sleepiness, hyperactivity, constipation, cotton mouth & a decreased desire for food. Be sure you have consulted your veterinarian before using any medication for your pet.

When dogs have allergic reactions, the allergy frequently presents itself in the form of a sore on the dogs back or stomach. These sores often times force the dog to lick or claw at the infected area causing loss of hair. Food allergies as well as environmental factors can make your dog’s life insufferable. Pin pointing the cause of the allergy will improve your pet’s life immensely!

Like people, dogs can experience from the effects of allergies. By contacting your veterinarian, they can be controlled. In addition Joanne Gallagher recommends checking out Jakes Dog House for all natural, holistic dog treats, glucosamine dog food and organic dog biscuits.

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