Help! My Dog Has Allergies
Friday, August 10, 2018 11:18:09 AM America/Los_Angeles
Your four-legged buddy is the one member of the family that holds a special place in your heart. Such is the reason why you invest in a dog bathroom and other potty training solutions that help your furry friend go potty in a more dignified manner. You love your pet, which is why it pains you to see him go through so much agony during allergy season. So what do you do when you suspect your dog has allergies? Follow this guide to find out!
Why do dogs get allergies?
Dogs are like humans in many ways. In the same manner that people become allergic to certain foods and atmospheres, so do animals have reactions to certain ingredients. Dogs experiencing an allergic reaction sometimes make matters worse by licking or even scratching the irritated area. Such activity sometimes leads to open wounds better known as “hot spots.”
How do you spot allergies in dogs?
Identifying allergic reactions is not as straightforward as teaching your pet to use the indoor dog potty. You must sometimes put more effort into the investigative practice than merely setting out a pee pad alternative and putting your dog near the designated station.
The average owner may identify a hot spot but may not look further into its source. Such negligence causes more suffering for your beloved canine.
There are essentially four types of allergen sources in dogs:
- Atopy
- Fleas
- Food
- General Contact
Whereas flea, food, and contact sources are pretty straightforward, owners with dogs who have atopy allergies may miss the signs since the foundation of such reactions comes from the environment. You may think that your dog is just enjoying a day at the park on the fresh grass. In actuality, his constant rolling is an attempt to relieve itching. From the same vein, you may consider your DoggieLawn as the safest thing that your pet has on which he may relax. It is the pollen in the air, though, that makes the area hazardous.
No owner wants to admit that the mere environment, which is supposed to be good for their beloved pet, could be part of the reason why their four-legged friend has red marks and open wounds. The reality, though is that many dogs suffer from atopy allergies.
“So how do you spot this type of irritation,” you may ask. The first step is to identify indicators. Pets are not good at hiding discomfort. Your dog will tell you that he is allergic to something in the environment by scratching or biting himself. He may even chew on the irritated area until evidence of blood comes gushing out. All of these are signs of an atopy allergy.
How are allergies in dogs diagnosed?
Only a veterinarian can officially diagnose your dog with an allergy. Such is the reason why it is best to take your furry friend to the doctor the moment that you spot a hot spot. You would not delay if you saw blood on your pet’s potty pads, would you? Therefore, do not waste time with analysis when you see red marks and evidence of itching,
The sooner that you get your dog to the vet, the better. The average pet doctor uses a diagnostic test to pinpoint the exact ingredient or element that irritates your dog. It is not uncommon for veterinarians to use an intradermal skin test to determine a dog’s allergies. In fact, this type of diagnostic proves effective with humans as well.
Canines with food allergies may be placed on a specialized protein diet to locate the ingredient that causes discomfort. Your furry friend may not be in favor of this method of treatment, but such a measure is necessary to render the right type of treatment.
Is there medication for dogs with allergies?
Just as humans have prescriptions for allergies, so do dogs also have medications for irritations. As with the average indoor potty for dogs that offers a variety of options from which owners may choose, there are a number of choices that dog owners have when it comes to medications for allergies.
Some owners resort to giving their pets Benadryl to calm the irritation and level the discomfort. You should ask your vet before administering such medication since some formulas made for humans can be harmful to pets. There is also the option of injections for airborne allergies. Owners who love taking their pets outside despite their struggles should definitely look into such form of treatment.
A few natural-remedy pet lovers have pointed to fatty acid supplements as a way of combating allergies in dogs. Such an option may relieve itchiness but should likely be used in conjunction with medication prescribed by a veterinarian.
Prevention is the key
Many dogs can be spared the agony of enduring bad allergic reactions if their owners were more proactive in keeping them away from elements that cause such irritation. Giving your dog flea baths on a regular basis, for instance, is a great way to keep him from bites that may prove hazardous.
As with anything that you do with your beloved pet, from housebreaking to setting up a dog potty area in the backyard, diligence is essential. Do not wait until your dog has hot spots all over his body until you call a veterinarian for help. Instead, choose the proactive and prevention route by keeping your home free of fleas and dust.
