According to Peteducation.com, allergies to food account for about 10 percent of all allergies diagnosed in the canine population. This allergy is typically discovered in dogs between two and six years of age, though it has been diagnosed in dogs as young as five months old and in the geriatric population. Very little is known about the biological process that causes food allergies, but diagnosis and effective treatment are routine in veterinary medicine.
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Seasonality
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Unlike other common pet allergies, there is not a season in which food allergies peak; rather, they occur consistently throughout all four seasons. The only exception to this rule is in animals which are free to hunt and may come in contact with seasonal fare. For example, dogs or cats with an allergy to crayfish may demonstrate symptoms of allergy only in the spring and early summer when crayfish are readily available.
Itch
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Itchy skin is one of the most common symptoms of food allergy. Dogs may specifically scratch at their face, feet, ears, forelegs, armpits and anus more when suffering from a food-induced allergic reaction. Skin may appear dry and flaking or red and inflamed in these areas. This itch can, in severe cases, encompass the animal's entire body, leading to excessive scratching, biting, and hair loss
Hot Spots
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Skin irritation can lead to hot spots and other skin infections. A hot spot is a localized sore which is hot to the touch and swollen. If left untreated, the area will lose hair, and the infection will progress. When caused by a food allergy, hot spots will respond to antibiotic treatment and then reoccur.
Other Medical Symptoms
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Dogs suffering from food allergies suffer an increased susceptibility to ear infections. They also have unusually frequent bowel movements. The average dog will, according to peteducation.com, defecate 1.5 times per day, while a dog with food allergies will go in excess of three times per day.
Diagnosis
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According to a study by Louisiana State University, the first step in diagnosing a food allergy is to rule out other causes and treat any secondary conditions which could be related. Only after this is done will diagnostic testing related to the allergies give accurate results. After other causes have been ruled out, veterinarians will put the dog on an elimination diet that removes specific foods from a dog's diet in order to find what elements are creating the reaction. The most common allergens are protein-based, and this is often the first (and only) dietary area tested.
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