Dogs have allergies much like humans do. The same agents that cause allergies in humans also cause allergies in dogs. There are treatments available for dog's with allergies. The treatments are similar to those used on humans and they provide temporary to permanent relief of dog allergies.
-
Causes
-
There are several irritants that can initiate an allergic in your dog. These irritants include grass, pollen, certain types of food and specific types of medication.
Types
-
There are five types of allergies in dogs: bacterial, inhalant, food, flea and contact. Each type of allergy has unique features and creates various symptoms in dogs.
Symptoms
-
Each dog is different, so the symptoms displayed toward an irritant will vary. The typical symptoms include, but are not limited to: hives, wheezing, digestive problems, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive scratching, swollen eyes, and inflamed ears.
Prevention/Solution
-
Certain allergies can be prevented before they start. For instance if your dog is has seasonal allergies caused by grass or pollen, there are shots your veterinarian can administer to desensitize your dog to these irritants. Immunotherapy involves giving your dog a series of injections designed to reprogram you dog's immune system to be less reactive to the original allergy agent over time. Also, if it is possible, keeping your dog away from irritants is helpful in allergy prevention.
Treatment
-
There a different treatments used for dog allergies. These treatments include topical therapy, antihistamines and topical therapy. Many of the medications used on dogs are the same as the over-the-counter ones that humans use, such as Benadryl, Atarax, Tavist and Chlor-Trimeton. Also, steroids are used as a last resort treatment in more severe cases of dog allergies.
-