Allergic reactions in dogs are a common occurrence. An estimated one in seven dogs currently suffer from allergic symptoms, according to WebMD. These symptoms usually target the skin, resulting in an itchy, irritable and unpleasant pet. Identifying and eliminating the trigger are the best options for treatment, but many other solutions are available to get pets relief from symptoms.
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Allergic Causes for Itchiness
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There are four common canine allergies, all of which can cause irritation. Itchy skin could be caused by flea allergy dermatitis, canine atopy (inhalation of allergens), food allergies or contact allergies (cleaning products and other irritants). Hives may appear on the dog's skin as raised, circular bumps and intense itchiness may follow. Sometimes, skin lesions or sores can appear from repeated scratching or biting, leading to infection.
Signs of Itchiness
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Dogs with skin irritation and itchiness will appear uncomfortable. Most will scratch or bite specific areas repeatedly, some may only lick their paws, a common site for irritation. Other dogs exhibit signs in different ways, such as frequent ear infections or general irritability. Watch for any unusual behavior in pets to catch symptoms early and end the dog's discomfort by eliminating the cause. Contact a veterinarian to determine the cause of the dog's allergic reaction before taking steps to treat it.
Bathing and Topical Treatments
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Treating the symptom of skin itchiness can give some relief to allergic pets. Veterinarians recommend frequent bathing for these dogs, using a gentle hypoallergenic shampoo containing colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera. Soaking the dog in an Epsom salt bath may also yield some relief. Both methods work by removing the allergen from the skin, but once contact is made again, symptoms will return.
Other topical treatments, like corticosteroid-based sprays, will help ease some of the itchiness and reduce inflammation of the skin. These should be used only after reading the instructions carefully and keeping the spray away from the dog's face and eyes.
Allergy Medications
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When symptoms are extremely severe, or a non-contact allergy is expected, bathing and treating the skin will not help the dog. In these cases, antihistamines can be given, much like humans treat allergies with Claritin and Zyrtec. These will control the symptoms even if the animal contacts the allergy source.
Some veterinarians may be willing to administer allergy shots. Beforehand, they will conduct tests to determine the dog's allergy triggers. If eligible, the shots will help the dog build up a tolerance to these elements.
Precautionary Measures
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Veterinary research has shown that adding omega-3 fatty acids to the pet's diet may boost immunities to lessen symptoms. Most retail pet care stores and online pet medication sites carry omega-3 pills specifically made for dogs.
Making some small changes around the home might also reap big results for a dog's itching. Consider switching to pet-friendly, organic cleaning products instead of traditional cleaners to lessen the reaction of a contact allergy. For food allergies, try a hypoallergenic alternative to brand-name dog foods. Finally, keep pets on regular treatments for fleas and ticks to prevent potential flea allergy dermatitis from developing in the future.
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