| Canine skin allergies are basically the same thing as | | | | general term that applies to all allergy diseases. |
| canine atopic dermatitis, which is a chronic itchy skin | | | | However, atopic dermatitis is related only to canine |
| disorder that requires intervention and treatment. | | | | skin allergies. |
| Although some dispute this, canine atopic dermatitis is | | | | Atopy affects dogs and humans differently. In |
| thought to be related only to inhalant allergies and | | | | humans, allergies usually affect the sinuses and |
| not to dog food allergies. Dog skin allergies are most | | | | respiratory system. This is because a particular type |
| common in younger dogs, but can occur in dogs of | | | | of cell, called the mast cell, is located mostly in the |
| any age. | | | | sinuses and respiratory system in humans. It is mast |
| Dog Allergies Symptoms | | | | cells that are affected by allergens, so when an |
| Among the symptoms of dog allergies the primary | | | | allergy is present we will come down with the typical |
| symptom is itchy, irritated skin. A canine skin allergy | | | | respiratory symptoms. |
| may begin in a mild state. However, if the allergen | | | | This is not usually so with dogs. In dogs, mast cells |
| remains within the dog's immediate environment, it will | | | | are located primarily in their skin and much less so in |
| gradually intensify over time to become a chronic | | | | their sinuses and respiratory systems. Therefore, |
| condition. In some dogs the respiratory track may | | | | when a dog has an allergy it will primarily affect its |
| occasionally be affected; if so, you will notice | | | | skin, and usually not their sinuses and respiratory |
| wheezing, sneezing, and coughing. Some dogs may | | | | system. |
| also have a discharge from their eyes and nose, | | | | The important thing about canine skin allergies is the |
| although this is not often found in the early stages. | | | | need for medical intervention. If you think your dog is |
| Much less often you may have to deal with vomiting | | | | suffering from an allergy, it is important to see a |
| and diarrhea. | | | | veterinarian for a diagnosis. The symptoms of dog |
| Atopy in Dogs | | | | allergies can mimic those of other more serious |
| A term you will hear in connection to canine skin | | | | canine diseases. After these have been ruled out, |
| allergies is atopy. Atopy is the inherited tendency to | | | | then the job can begin to properly treat your dog |
| develop allergic diseases. | | | | and to identify the allergen responsible for the canine |
| This term is often not correctly understood. Some | | | | skin allergy. If possible it can then be eliminated from |
| will say that atopy is related only to inhalant allergies, | | | | the dog's environment. |
| and not food allergies. This is not true. Atopy is a | | | | |