Allergy to fleas is the most common dog allergy. Unfortunately, various dog allergies look alike if you don't know what to look for. There are a few signs you can look for to determine if your dog has flea allergies. If you notice some of these signs, take your dog to a veterinarian to determine if the problem is a flea allergy and any treatments for it.
Instructions
Signs and Symptoms
Know the clinical signs. Look for crusted lesions or barbered hairs at the base of the tail and extending to the thighs. Secondary chronic skin changes can include thickening of the skin and loss of hair around the affected area. Your veterinarian will rule out other allergies with skin tests.
Know the symptoms. Common symptoms include increased scratching and itching, broken hairs, crusted skin and pimpled bumps. These symptoms can show along the inside of the hind legs, ear flaps and underbelly. In severe cases you should notice dark areas on the thicker skin. Check for hot spots along your dog's back and base of the tail. These are usually circular and red. They can be oozing and painful to the dog.
Along with constant licking, scratching and biting of the hind areas and for frequent pawing of the face or ears, look for a constant need to roll over and scratch on surfaces such as grass or dirt. All of these indicate likely flea allergies. Your dog's hair will look thin at the hind end. Observe whether hair loss occurs in lines or streaks. This matches the pattern of where your dog has chewed or licked his skin raw and often appears in similar patterns on both sides of the body.
Watch your dog for signs of constant discomfort. Your dog may seem to yawn more, which is a sign of distress. He might appear to have trouble finding a comfortable spot in any position. If your dog rests against walls or in chairs, take note of dark streaks or splotches where your dog was lying. This is a sign of flea blood. Your dog's skin also takes on a rough sandy feel.
Treating your dog's flea allergy must include keeping the fleas away from your dog. Vacuum daily if you can, or at least multiple times in a week. Wash your dog's bedding frequently. Use flea medication, which you can order from your vet.