| From personal experience as a dog with allergies, I | | | | above measures do not help to reduce allergic |
| have several suggestions for training humans to | | | | symptoms, getting rid of the pet dogs may be |
| become better dog mentors. Dog allergies can include | | | | needed, particularly for people with uncontrolled |
| skin allergies, dog food allergies (particularly corn and | | | | asthma. |
| soy), house dust mites and ragweed. Many people | | | | Generally speaking, poodles shed less hair and dander, |
| don't suspect food allergies as the cause of their | | | | and therefore cause fewer allergy symptoms. The |
| dog's itching because their pet has been fed the | | | | fact that these small dogs are frequently bathed |
| same food all its life and has just recently started | | | | may be one reason why people with dog allergies |
| having symptoms. | | | | have few symptoms with owning this breed. A |
| Symptoms of Fatty Acid Deficiency: | | | | number of medications can also help relieve the |
| - Coarse dry hair. | | | | symptoms of allergies. |
| - Skin lesions. | | | | The allergens become airborne as microscopic |
| - Skin ulcers. | | | | particles which, when inhaled into the nose or lungs, |
| Symptoms of Protein deficiency: | | | | can produce allergic symptoms. It is worth mentioning |
| - Depressed food intake | | | | that the same source may be worsening your own |
| - Weight loss. | | | | allergy symptoms, so taking care of it would make |
| - Muscular wasting | | | | life easier for both you and your pet. |
| - Rough and dull coat. | | | | Dogs can cause allergic reactions in people with |
| Symptoms of allergic reactions to dogs include | | | | allergies specific to dogs and in people with allergic |
| sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, coughing, wheezing | | | | asthma, a condition in which asthma symptoms are |
| and difficulty breathing. | | | | triggered by an allergic reaction. |
| Symptoms include: | | | | In order to overcome these frustrating symptoms |
| - Weakness, | | | | your approach needs to be thorough and systematic. |
| - Loss of energy, | | | | Allergies have also been implicated as a possible |
| - Lack of appetite, | | | | cause of Acral Lick Granulomas, a frustrating, |
| - Vomiting, | | | | treatment resistant condition whereby the dog |
| - Diarrhea, | | | | creates a sore on his skin from constant licking |
| - Rapid heart rate, | | | | DIAGNOSIS: |
| - Rapid breathing, | | | | - If a dog has the above symptoms and responds |
| - Dark urine, | | | | well to the treatment measures outlined below, no |
| - Pale or yellow gums. | | | | further diagnostic tests may be needed. |
| Symptoms can appear at any age, whether a pet | | | | TREATMENT OPTIONS |
| has just started a new diet or has been eating the | | | | Symptomatic Therapy Treating the dog's symptoms |
| same food for several years. | | | | may include; |
| Any health care suggestions located here are NOT to | | | | - Cool baths with or without colloidal oatmeal, |
| replace a veterinarian visit; please take your dog to a | | | | - Epsom salts, or medicated shampoos. Many people |
| vet immediately at any sign of odd behavior or any | | | | don't suspect food allergies as the cause of their |
| symptoms of illness or injury. Dog owners may not | | | | dog's itching because their pet has been fed the |
| want to part with their pets, despite the symptoms | | | | same food all its life and has just recently started |
| they endure. Short of getting rid of the dog, here | | | | having symptoms. |
| are some ways to decrease dog allergen exposure | | | | If the symptoms improve during the trial diet, go |
| for dog owners: | | | | back to the original food for several days. How can a |
| - Ensure the dog is neutered. | | | | person reduce allergic symptoms to a pet. By |
| - Bathing the dog at least once or twice a week. | | | | keeping the animals out of the bedrooms at all times, |
| - Wiping your dog with a wet cloth or hand towel | | | | we can greatly reduce the symptoms of pet allergies. |
| daily. | | | | Owners of Bichons showing suspicious symptoms |
| - Remove the dog from the bedroom and close the | | | | should seek immediate veterinary care as these |
| bedroom door. | | | | diseases can strike with little or no warning and kill |
| Keep the dog outside or in the garage, or in a part | | | | very quickly. |
| of the home with an uncarpeted floor. | | | | Dog allergies may produce symptoms such as itchy, |
| Vacuum frequently with a HEPA-equipped vacuum | | | | watery eyes, stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing, skin |
| cleaner. Purchase a HEPA room air cleaner for use in | | | | rash, swelling, and breathing problems. Dog allergies |
| the bedroom and/or other parts of the home (it is | | | | may be the result of seasonal conditions, |
| best to keep the HEPA filter off of the floor so as | | | | environmental factors or symptoms of food allergies. |
| to not stir up more dust). | | | | Dog allergies are very similar to human allergies and |
| Follow house dust mite avoidance precautions. If the | | | | also produce the same symptoms as human allergies. |