Have you begun to notice your dog scratching and itching too much? Is the itching causing exposed wounds and disappearance of hair on your pet? If so, this is a sound indication that your canine might be stricken with dog allergies. Dogs don’t show the distinctive blotchy eyes and a watery nose similar to what humans do when we have an allergy. Other warning signs might involve extreme scratching of a given area, or gnawing their paws until they bleed.
What Are The Causes of Skin Allergies in Dogs?
An allergic reaction can occur when an animal’s immune system overreacts to individual allergens. The body manufactures antibodies as a form of defense after the trigger of the canine’s allergy comes into the body. These antibodies will then join to immune cells in the skin and various tissues. Thus, as the allergens progressively breach tissue surfaces, the antibodies incite the immune cells to discharge powerful chemicals (called histamines) into the neighboring tissue. This will then cause irritation and dog itching.
There are a number of points to think about when locating the source of allergies in dogs. An allergy which affects a pet’s skin is commonly triggered by at least one of these: food, fleas, and airborne particles.
Flea Dermatitis otherwise known as Flea Allergy is typically brought on by flea saliva. That is why it is very important to liberate your pet of fleas on a regular basis. Some dog breeds tend to be more sucseptible to this kind of allergy than others. Skin allergies in shih tzu dogs are usually caused by flea dermatitis.
An atopic allergy is caused by the inhaling of airborne particles in the ecosystem, including tobacco smoke, mold spores, dust and pollen, instigate atopic allergies. If a dog has pollen allergies, the pet will manifest warning signs, even if kept in the house as the particles will move into the home. Wheezing, sneezing and coughing frequently are signs of this sort of allergy.
Food allergies are the next most frequent sort of allergy in dogs. The most likely culprits for food allergies in dogs are: chicken, corn, milk, soy, beef, wheat and eggs. Vomiting and diarrhea frequently go along with this sort of allergy.
Contact allergies are the least common sort of allergy in dogs and is set off by touching something. Triggers may include grass, plastic and wool. Some dogs might have allergic reactions to particular chemicals in the house, however, it is not very common.
How to Diagnose Dog Allergies
A vet may be able to diagnose the problem, but it can involve a system of elimination to find the cause of the skin allergy and could even refer the dog to a veterinarian dermatologist. In the case where fleas are ruled out, the dog might be put on an elimination diet for a few months. The dog is given food it has not had in the past, for example, turkey, lamb, and potatoes, with the old food being reintroduced slowly until the allergy reemerges.
The allergen is believed to be at least one ingredient if the dogs itching is lessened by about 50 percent of what it was beforehand. To check for atopic and contact dog allergies, dermatology specialists employ an intradermal allergy exam that functions by gently sedating the dog with slight amounts of potential allergens which are injected into the shaved region of the skin. If the dog is allergic to a certain substance, the skin will become inflamed in the area of injection.
Treating Dog Allergies
Keeping your dog away from allergens and treating the symptoms of dog allergies are the most beneficial approaches toward treatment. Medicines such as antihistamines and steroids are often prescribed to ease consequences of itching and swelling in dogs, but like all medicines they could be associated with risky side effects and the long-term effects are unknown.
Extended use of steroids is discouraged as these medications operate by repressing the immune system. Continued steroid use might eventually leave your dog open to diabetes, infections and further conditions.
All Natural Remedies
Luckily for dog owners, there are lots of nontoxic and all natural herbal and homeopathic cures for pets living with skin problems.
Althaea officinalis root is an exceptional and commonly accepted remedy for soothing the skin while Melaleuca alternifolia can be applied as a topical to promote healthy skin and keeping the animal’s skin clear. Homeopathic remedies like Apis and Ledum have impressive healing attributes and are especially helpful in healing reddened and chafed skin, or minute irritations and abrasions.
