Dog Allergy Symptoms

From personal experience as a dog with allergies, I have several suggestions for training humans to become better dog mentors. Dog allergies can include skin allergies, dog food allergies (particularly corn and soy), house dust mites and ragweed. Many people don't suspect food allergies as the cause of their dog's itching because their pet has been fed the same food all its life and has just recently started having symptoms.

Symptoms of Fatty Acid Deficiency:

• Coarse dry hair.


• Skin lesions.


• Skin ulcers.

Symptoms of Protein deficiency:

• Depressed food intake


• Weight loss.


• Muscular wasting


• Rough and dull coat.

Symptoms of allergic reactions to dogs include sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Symptoms include:

• Weakness,


• Loss of energy,


• Lack of appetite,


• Vomiting,


• Diarrhea,


• Rapid heart rate,


• Rapid breathing,


• Dark urine,


• Pale or yellow gums.

Symptoms can appear at any age, whether a pet has just started a new diet or has been eating the same food for several years.

Any health care suggestions located here are NOT to replace a veterinarian visit; please take your dog to a vet immediately at any sign of odd behavior or any symptoms of illness or injury. Dog owners may not want to part with their pets, despite the symptoms they endure. Short of getting rid of the dog, here are some ways to decrease dog allergen exposure for dog owners:

• Ensure the dog is neutered.


• Bathing the dog at least once or twice a week.


• Wiping your dog with a wet cloth or hand towel daily.


• Remove the dog from the bedroom and close the bedroom door.

Keep the dog outside or in the garage, or in a part of the home with an uncarpeted floor.

Vacuum frequently with a HEPA-equipped vacuum cleaner. Purchase a HEPA room air cleaner for use in the bedroom and/or other parts of the home (it is best to keep the HEPA filter off of the floor so as to not stir up more dust).

Follow house dust mite avoidance precautions. If the above measures do not help to reduce allergic symptoms, getting rid of the pet dogs may be needed, particularly for people with uncontrolled asthma.

Generally speaking, poodles shed less hair and dander, and therefore cause fewer allergy symptoms. The fact that these small dogs are frequently bathed may be one reason why people with dog allergies have few symptoms with owning this breed. A number of medications can also help relieve the symptoms of allergies.

The allergens become airborne as microscopic particles which, when inhaled into the nose or lungs, can produce allergic symptoms. It is worth mentioning that the same source may be worsening your own allergy symptoms, so taking care of it would make life easier for both you and your pet.

Dogs can cause allergic reactions in people with allergies specific to dogs and in people with allergic asthma, a condition in which asthma symptoms are triggered by an allergic reaction.

In order to overcome these frustrating symptoms your approach needs to be thorough and systematic. Allergies have also been implicated as a possible cause of Acral Lick Granulomas, a frustrating, treatment resistant condition whereby the dog creates a sore on his skin from constant licking

DIAGNOSIS:

• If a dog has the above symptoms and responds well to the treatment measures outlined below, no further diagnostic tests may be needed.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Symptomatic Therapy Treating the dog's symptoms may include;

• Cool baths with or without colloidal oatmeal,


• Epsom salts, or medicated shampoos. Many people don't suspect food allergies as the cause of their dog's itching because their pet has been fed the same food all its life and has just recently started having symptoms.

If the symptoms improve during the trial diet, go back to the original food for several days. How can a person reduce allergic symptoms to a pet. By keeping the animals out of the bedrooms at all times, we can greatly reduce the symptoms of pet allergies.

Owners of Bichons showing suspicious symptoms should seek immediate veterinary care as these diseases can strike with little or no warning and kill very quickly.

Dog allergies may produce symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes, stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing, skin rash, swelling, and breathing problems. Dog allergies may be the result of seasonal conditions, environmental factors or symptoms of food allergies.

Dog allergies are very similar to human allergies and also produce the same symptoms as human allergies.