The shih tzu breed is an excellent choice of dog for some human allergy sufferers. They have hair instead of fur and do not shed large amounts of hair or dander. However, like their humans, shih tzus may also suffer from allergies. A veterinarian can diagnose an allergy problem in your dog and help you to keep his symptoms under control.
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External Allergies
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According to information found at The All Shih Tzu website, external allergies are caused by things that the dog comes in physical contact with, such as shampoos or laundry detergents. The symptoms of external allergies can range from scratching and redness to sores, open wounds and even hair loss. He may also cough or have difficulty breathing.
Internal Allergies
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Internal allergies are a reaction to something the dog ate. Most brands of dog foods contain eggs, dairy products, wheat or soy as well as many other possible allergens. If your shih tzu has an internal allergy, he may vomit or have diarrhea. This can cause him to quickly dehydrate or experience other serious secondary problems such as dizziness or fainting.
Flea Bite Allergies
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The Pet Education website says that dogs can become allergic to flea bites. The symptoms of a flea bite allergy are excessive scratching and biting at the base of the tail. she may also have hair loss at the end of his tail. If your dog has an extreme sensitivity to flea bites, she may experience generalized hair loss, or her body can become red, itchy and inflamed.
Inhalants
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Dogs can be allergic to substances in the air such as cigarette smoke, pollen, cleaning products and air fresheners. These allergies can cause him to have a runny nose or generalized itching, according to Tian Mi Shih Tzu. His allergies may be seasonal or year round depending upon the source of the antigen.
Diagnosis
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A veterinarian can diagnose allergy problems in dogs by conducting several different kinds of tests. The Pet Education website explains that she can perform a blood test that checks for antibodies in the dog's blood. One type of allergy test is called a RAST (radioallergosorbent) test, and the other is called the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test.
The veterinarian can also use an intradermal skin test. She will inject an antigen (the agent that causes an allergic reaction) under the skin. If the skin around the injection site flares up or becomes irritated, the dog is most likely sensitive to the antigen.
Treatment
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There are several different methods available for controlling canine allergies. According to Pet Education, the most important thing to do is locate the antigen that is causing his allergy attacks. Some allergens can be eliminated by changing product brands, such as laundry detergents or air fresheners. There are also shampoos that can lessen his itching. Finally, a veterinarian can prescribe an antihistamine or a steroid that will help control his allergic reactions.
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