| Along with ear infections, Dog Skin Allergies are | | | | items from a dog's diet or environment may help |
| amongst the most common health problems in dogs. | | | | uncover the underlying causes of the allergies. |
| They are difficult to diagnose as symptoms can be | | | | Dog Skin Allergy Treatments |
| common across many diseases. Most Allergies are | | | | |
| seasonal and the inhalant type, such as tree pollen. | | | | 1. Avoidance - Keep your dog out of grassy fields |
| Allergies are usually not able to be cured and | | | | (keep your lawn mowed short), keep your dog |
| therefore need to be constantly managed. | | | | indoors during the pollen season, use humidifiers and |
| Symptoms of Dog Skin Allergies | | | | keep pets away from you when you are cleaning an |
| In most cases, if a dog has an allergy it will be | | | | area and it is likely to stir a bit of dust (eg |
| apparent through excessive itching and/or visual skin | | | | vaccuuming). |
| problems. | | | | 2. Topical Therapy - This involves using "external |
| Other signs that your dog has an allergy include: | | | | medications" such as shampoos, rinses and creams |
| - Chewing on its limbs | | | | for Allergy Relief. |
| - Rubbing its face on the ground or carpet | | | | 3. Antihistamines - Antihistamines have historically |
| - Mutiliated, red or sore skin | | | | been designed for human use and are successful for |
| - Hair loss | | | | around only 30% of dogs. It is usually recommended |
| - Nasal or eye discharge | | | | to include fatty acids such as Omega 3 in your dog's |
| Skin Allergy Testing For Dogs | | | | diet when combined with this treatment to improve |
| There are two types of testing that can be | | | | the chances of successful allergy relief. |
| undertaken for dog skin allergies: | | | | 4. Steroids - I wouldn't recommend this option |
| - Blood Tests are taken to check for antibodies in | | | | except as a last resort. The side effects are |
| the dog's blood that have been triggered by | | | | numerous and the medication is expensive. It is |
| Antigens. | | | | important to note that each dog responds differently |
| - Intradermal Skin Testing is where a small amount of | | | | to different treatments, but it is wise to be aware of |
| antigen is injected into an area of the dog's skin and | | | | Dog Skin Allergies so that you can ask the right |
| observed to determine whether it causes an Allergic | | | | questions of your vet and not blindly accept a |
| Reaction. This is the most common form of testing | | | | recommendation of "drugs" to fix a problem that |
| and has a high success rate for identification of Dog | | | | may be otherwise be eliminated by natural means or |
| Skin Allergies. Alternatively, and more specifically if a | | | | a slight modification of your dog's environment. |
| Food Allergy is suspected, systematic elimination of | | | | |