Allergies - Dogs May Suffer Too
Many people don't realize that their dogs, just like human beings, can suffer from allergies. In fact, about twenty percent of the dogs in the United States alone suffer from one allergy or another, with flea allergy dermatitis being the most common form of allergies in dogs. Other types include atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and inhalant allergies.
Signs and symptoms of dog allergies may vary but are often marked by persistent itching and discoloration of the skin (most common in skin allergies), coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and mucus discharge (most common in inhalant allergies), and nausea, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea (common to food allergies and other ailments.)
Over-the-counter preparations and treatments for common dog allergies exist and may be purchased at any good pet supply store, but care should be taken when choosing such treatments. Consultation with a vet is the best first course of action for several reasons. First of all, what you think is an allergic reaction may actually be signs of a more serious ailment and a vet should be the one to determine whether that is the case. Secondly, if the allergy is severe enough, over-the-counter treatments may not be sufficient to treat the symptoms and a prescription strength treatment may be required. There is also the chance that the dog does not have an allergy at all. The last thing you
CONTINUE BELOW...
Didn't Find What You Were Looking For?
Try a Specialized Search HERE
MOST RECENT ARTICLES
Article Dashboard: Home & Family | Pets
Pets articles from Article Dashboard
Bad Behavior Dog Obedience Training Posted By : Andrew Bicknell
Are you frustrated because your dog keeps exhibiting bad behavior that is embarrassing to you? Do you wonder why he always runs away when you go for a walk or jumps on people who come over to visit? An out of control dog is neither fun nor a good companion and the only way to tame the wild beast is with dog obedience training.
Potty Training a Dog Takes a Little Time and Patience Posted By : Andrew Bick...
For the new dog owner there is nothing quite as frustrating as potty training a dog. Teaching your dog that she needs to go outside when she needs to go to the bathroom is what house training is all about. It will take a little time but if you are patient with your new four legged friend she will soon do her business outside.
The Mountain Bluebird Posted By : Jay Schindler
The Nevada State bird is the Mountain Bluebird, which is also known as the Sialia currucoides. It is an impeccably beautiful bird. The Nevada State bird is a medium sized bird which is mostly an insectivorous or omnivorous bird in the genus Sialia of the thrush family Turdiae.
Learn About Modern Bird Raven Posted By : Jay Schindler
The modern Birds Raven is known to have been present in the North American Pleistocene since the last 1.8 million 10,000 years ago. Bird Ravens are among the most commonly found bird species in the Rancho La Brea fossil deposits in Southern California. They silhouetted the wolves, bears and other predators and went after the bison herds. When humans first hunted the bird Raven on the North American soil, it
Information On Shih Tzu Posted By : Luke Blaise
Great information on Shih Tzu is easy to find, but the facts may not always be right due to their long history. According to DNA analysis the Shih Tzu is derived from some of the most ancient dog breeds. So what makes the Shih Tzu so unique?
Newsfeed display by CaRP
CONTINUE HERE...
want to do is medicate your pet unnecessarily.
If you do think your dog has some type of allergy, consult your vet. The doctor will be able to perform tests to determine whether an allergic condition exists, how severe it is, and what the proper treatment will be. If the dog has an allergy to certain foods, it will be imperative to restrict the animal's diet to eliminate those items that cause a reaction. The vet's testing methods can help to determine whether this type of allergy exists as well. If the dog has flea allergy dermatitis (an allergic reaction to the saliva of fleas, rather than to the insects themselves), an extreme flea prevention regimen will be recommended.
Just like humans, dogs that suffer from various allergies can live comfortably with them if they are detected and treated properly. It is important to keep in mind that this is not a time to "play doctor" by attempting to diagnose and treat a possible allergic condition yourself. Only your veterinarian is qualified to determine whether your dog is suffering from allergies and what course of action to take.
About the Author
Kirsten Hawkins is a dog lover and animal expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.doghealth411.com/ for more information on dog health, the care of dogs, and dog travel.
|
