Dog Allergies
By Kenna Rogers
Believe it or not, but dogs do have a sensitivity to allergies which can sometimes have symptoms that are worse than your pitiful runny nose. You’d think dogs allergies would manifest symptoms in the say way a human’s would, but that is incorrect.
Dogs could be allergic to pollen, dust, certain foods, and insects.
A dog’s symptoms will manifest either in chronic ear infections or mild to severe itching all over his body. Allergic dogs usually chew on their feet, as that’s the only place they have sweat glands, until they are irritated, inflamed, and sometimes raw. They may get ear infections because the wax glands of the ears have a tendency to overproduce when the dog is fighting an allergen, according to peteducation.com.
Dogs will rub their entire bodies against surfaces, itch with their nails and teeth so much they could cause skin lesions and even cause self-mutilation if it goes on too long. There could be a subsequent hair loss, or patchy spots, if he itches frequently. The skin could become dry, flaky, crusty, reddened, or oily, depending on the breed. With skin lesions, bacterial infections are a side effect, according to peteducation.com.
Allergens outside:
Trees
Grass
Weed pollens
Allergens inside:
Certain fabrics
Foods and food additives
Milk products
House dust and dust mites
FLEAS!
You should always tell your veterinarian if your dog itches an inordinate amount anywhere on its body, or in a specific place. Your vet should be able to test the dog, either by intradermal or blood testing or by simply eliminating things individually from the animal’s environment until the allergen is isolated. Seasonal allergies can sometimes be held at bay from a single injection, or tablets, and will be allergy-free for up to 4 weeks, or until the following year when the allergen rears its ugly head again.
If your dog is allergic to atopy (inhaled allergens), it is always best to use the avoidance method. If you have just vacuumed the rug, keep the dog away from that area for several hours afterward. Dust mites can be held at bay by slipping a plastic cover over the pet’s bed, washing the bedding in hot water, or just keeping the pets in uncarpeted rooms.
If mold is the culprit, keep dogs out of the basement, avoid freshly mowed lawns, and definitely use dehumidifiers. You also might need to cut down on your number of houseplants. Keep your dog away from pastures, out of tall grass, and keep them indoors during spring and fall when the pollen seasons are at their height.
You should certainly speak with your veterinarian if you suspect your dog of having an allergy to something. Antibiotics may be required, but ask your vet about all alternatives before using antibiotics, and be sure to ask for any and all side effects.