Dog Allergies

Things You Should Know About Dog Allergies

The consequence of dog allergies is uncontrollable itching, pushing the dog to lick and scratch himself until sores increase on his body. These sores could become unhygienic, collect pus and turn out to be very aching.  Regular baths with chill water can be given to contract with dog’s allergic reaction.  Shampoos that contain eucalyptus and aloevera can help reduce the burning that our dog experiences.  Dog’s feet should be kept dirt free. One has to bear in mind to wash the feet as well when dog is given bath. Damp the feet and softly clean in the region of the paw area and the claws.

Moreover, if the dog has watery eyes and a discharge, home treatment is appreciated. A few cotton balls, some boric acid ophthalmic solution, some Visine moisturizing eye drops, and a fresh washcloth are necessary. Moisturize a cotton ball in the boric acid solution, and then soothingly but repetitively, using very soft strokes, wipe across the centre of the eye from the inner corner to the outer corner by the side of the line of eyelids when they are closed.  Wipe frequently.  This will give relief.

Dogs suffer from facial swelling. Antibiotics and diphenhydramine and corticosteroids can be used to treat these swollen areas. Some dogs suffer from skin atrophy too. Skin lesions occur when the dog is 6 months of age. There is reddening, hair loss, blisters or small bumps, crusting and where severe, ulceration of the skin.

Generally, there are natural cures for allergies. Feed the pet a nourishing diet from puppyhood and carry out an exercise program suited for the dog. Pets that are severely itchy are often provided with traditional medical treatments, such as short-time low dose of corticosteroids or antihistamines, to give fast relief.  One of the commonly found allergies in Labrador is ear infection. This will make the pet miserable. Just like humans, ear infections are awfully painful for dogs. The excellent way to shun such allergies that result in ear infections is to dry your dog’s ears after bathing and regularly clean its ears.  No dog breed is entirely hypoallergenic. If you have allergies and asthma triggered by pet dander, there’s no breed that is going to be wholly safe for you to get. All dogs create dander.  However there are some breeds that generate less than others. Veterinarian can treat such allergies and asthma.

Sick sinus syndrome is most commonly seen in female Miniature Schnauzers. It is characterized by sinoatrial node dysfunction and often includes atrioventricular node disease and bundle branch block. Electrocardiogram findings include sinus bradycardia, sinus arrest, sinoatrial heart block, and asystole. The major sign is fainting.

Some vital oils which can be used for dog allergies and their benefits are given here.   They are Bergamot – for ear infections, Carrot Seed - for dry, flaky, sensitive skin which is prone to infection,  Cedarwood - for skin and coat conditioning and dermatitis of all types., Chamomile - for skin irritations, allergic reactions, burns, Clary Sage - nerve-calming and sedates the central nervous system, Geranium - for skin irritations, fungal ear infections., Ginger - for motion sickness, aids digestion., Lavender - for many common animal ailments, e.g. skin irritations, first aid., Helichrysum - effective for healing of scars and bruises and pain relief,  Niaouli - for ear infections and skin problems caused by allergies,  Peppermint - for arthritis, dysplasia, sprains and strains.

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Symptoms Of Dog Allergies

Among the many kinds of dog allergies, we can divide them into skin allergies, food allergies & environment-induced allergies.

Some symptoms can include, but not limited to: eyes becoming watery, itchiness in the skin, sneezing, coughing and asthma-like breathing. Your dog may also show signs of weakness, lack of energy & appetite, possible vomiting, diarrhea and increased heart beat rate. Check for discharge of urine that can appear dark. Also look out for gums that or dull or yellow.

Dog allergies that cause these symptoms are not confined to any specific age, or starting of new diet/same food over a period years.

To help reduce allergic reactions for your dogs, try to neuter your pet. Get your dog a wash twice a week. Be sure to use clean towel to wipe your dog with. Also don’t leave your pet in the bedroom if possible. Keep him/her away from dirty places as well.

Be sure to sweep and vacuum your home often to ensure a clean floor. Get an air-cleaner if you must leave your dog in the bedroom. Take steps to reduce or remove the growth of dust mites in your home, as they commonly cause dog allergies for your pet.

Inhalant allergens that cause dog allergies can be due to dirt in the air, which through contact with the nose, can cause symptoms such as itchiness, watery eyes, constant head shaking and even self-mutilation. These problems can sometimes lead to a condition known as Acral Lick Granulomas. This condition can be resistant to treatment. The dog will due to licking constantly cause sores on his/her skin.

If your dog has the mentioned symptoms and you were able to resolve them with the suggested remedies, than no further steps may be needed. However for persistent dog allergies that do not respond to treatments, some further things may be done like bathing your dog with cool water, using colloidal oatmeal as a possible option. Or you may use medicated shampoos that are approved.

In summary, dog allergies often manifest in symptoms like itchiness, watery eyes, coughing, sneezing, skin problems, asthma-like breathing and stuffy nose. They can be caused by seasonal, environmental or food factors. As always, check with a qualified veterinarian for medical treatment if problems persist.

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The Truth About Dog Allergies

Do you know that dogs actually suffer from allergies just like we do? The difference though, is that dogs often express their allergies through the skin. Signs of dog allergies can range from poor coat texture and length, to itchiness or hot spots. Such problems can be found in the canine’s ears as well.

Dog allergies are harder to detect as compared to human ones. Normally, vets do not specialize in allergies. Even if there is, the symptoms manifested could be caused by thyroid disease. But the common cause of dog allergies are often fleas.

Allergies caused by inhalation can be due to things like dust mites, mold and pollens. In the process to finding out the cause of such problems, it is important to observe how your dog is reacting to it’s environment. If the dog allergies are consistent and long-term, this is mostly due to environmental factors that were mentioned earlier. If the allergy is only seasonal, meaning confined to certain periods of the year, then it is usually pollen that is affecting your dog. Symptoms manifest as biting, chewing of feet or licking very often.

For dog food allergies, they are often due to sensitivity to food. This can again appear as itchiness in the skin. If your dog goes through allergic reactions from eating certain foods, he/she will show signs like scratching, shaking of head, inflammation in the ear, constant licking of paws and rubbing face against the floor. In certain cases, your dog might vomit, release gas, sneeze or wheeze like an asthma patient,etc.

Often people do not even know that actually dog allergies can be caused by consuming the same food over a period of years.

For dog allergies to fleas, they are often caused by your dog’s sensitivity to a type of protein in the flea’s saliva. This kind of allergy is very often seen among dogs who are not exposed to fleas often. Meaning if your dog has been domesticated and kept in clean environments for a period of time, it cannot adjust to such unexpected introduction of bugs.

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