Dogs Suffering From Allergies

There is a wide range of causes for allergies in dogs. If your dog is suffering from what you suspect are allergies, there are steps you can take to alleviate the symptoms and eventually get to the root of the problem. It is important to understand the types of allergies dogs can have and the symptoms that accompany these allergies.

  1. Inhalant Allergies

    • Certain substances in the environment, known as allergens, can cause the immune system to react as though something foreign is entering the body. When your dog breathes in the allergens its body reacts by releasing antibodies, which contain histamines, serotonin and leukotrienes and these antibodies are ultimately what cause allergies in the dog. Inhalant allergies can be year-round or seasonal. Mold and dust may be the reason for year-round allergies while pollen may be responsible for seasonal allergies.

    Food Allergies

    • Certain ingredients in your dog's food could contribute to its allergies. If you have been feeding your dog the same food all its life you might not suspect a food allergy. However, dogs can develop food allergies at any time so consider food allergies when trying to determine the underlying cause of your dog's allergies.

    Fleas

    • If your dog has fleas or has had fleas recently, it is possible your dog is allergic to flea saliva. Regular dog grooming and bathing as well as flea preventative medication will aid in avoiding flea allergies.

    Signs and Symptoms

    • The signs and symptoms exhibited by a dog with allergies vary, depending on the type of allergy. Dogs with inhalant allergies will constantly scratch, to the point of hair loss, as well as chew and lick its paws. A dog with a food allergy will often have inflammation in the ears, chew and lick the front paws and show signs of anal itching. A single flea bite can cause a dog to go into a frenzy of scratching, especially around the tail and belly area.

    Treatment

    • The best way to treat a dog suffering from allergies is to find out exactly what is causing the allergic reaction. You can achieve this by trial and error; check for fleas, determine if the allergy symptoms are more prominent during a certain season or year-round and check the ingredients in your dog's food. Discuss the symptoms with your dog's veterinarian to get a better sense of direction when it comes to the proper treatment.