Hot spots, scratching, chewing, ear problems and even upper respiratory issues are among the many ways that allergies can manifest in dogs. The broad range of symptoms and the wide array of causes can make it difficult for veterinarians to properly diagnose allergies in dogs. Owners need to be alert to changes in their dog that may indicate a potential allergy, and be willing to work in conjunction with their veterinarian to determine the underlying cause.
Things You'll Need
- Veterinarian
- Documentation of symptoms
Instructions
Allergy Signs
Observing your dog is critical. Allergies can present in a wide variety of ways, and the symptoms can mimic other conditions. Dogs who are chewing on their feet, constantly licking, scratching or tormented by recurrent ear infections, may be suffering from allergies. Dog allergies can stem from food, environmental sources, airborne allergens and even fleas.
Noting and documenting the physical changes in your dog, including problematic behaviors, and potential causes, is crucial for diagnosis. It is vital to be able to accurately relay this information to your veterinarian.
Visit your veterinarian and go over the list of symptoms and possible causes. Blood work will most likely be done in order to eliminate other potential causes of your dog's distress. Unfortunately, most allergies can not be diagnosed through blood tests, but the tests can eliminate other potential health issues, such as a thyroid disorder. Due to the wide range of potential causes and the long list of possible symptoms, it may take some time to find not only the source of the allergy, but the correct course of treatment.
Common Sources
Determining the source of your dog's allergy is paramount. Owners often suspect that food is the source of their dog's allergies. However, diet is typically the least common source of allergy related problems. Seasonal allergies (from pollens) are actually the cause of most allergy related symptoms.
Watching your dog is again, the best way to determine the source of the allergy. Scratching, chewing or other allergy related issues may arise after playing in the grass, or walking by certain flowering bushes. If you suspect seasonal allergies, consult with your veterinarian who may order "scratch" tests to determine the underlying culprit.
Ruling out seasonal and environmental allergens may lead you to suspect something in your dog's diet that is causing problems. While this is the least common allergy source, only affecting approximately 10 to 15 percent of the dog population, it is still a possibility that must be explored if other sources are not found.
Feeding your dog a type of food that she has never consumed before is one of the keys to accurately determining the source of a food allergy. It is vital to keep your dog on this restricted diet for a short period of time. If the symptoms improve, you will want to reintroduce your dog's original food. A return of the problematic symptoms indicates a food related allergy. The next step is to add one ingredient at a time (to the restricted diet) until the source of the allergy is pinpointed. Adequate time must be allowed for potential symptoms to develop with the addition of each new food. Once the food source is determined, you will need to feed a diet that does not include any form of the irritating food.