If your dog is licking his paw, chewing on his hind leg or scratching his stomach constantly he may have canine allergies. Allergies are frequent problems for canines and can cause itching so severe that a dog will literally mutilate his skin by chewing and scratching in an attempt to stop the constant itching.
The skin irritation is often caused by flea allergy dermatitis which is an allergic reaction to the saliva released by fleas when they bite your dog. A condition known as hot spot often appear just above the base of the tail on dogs suffering from flea allergy dermatitis. Dogs with allergies may also suffer from frequent ear infections as the body’s reaction to the allergens causes ears to produce more wax than normal. The wax is an environment perfect for the proliferation of bacterial or yeast infections if the ear are not clean on a regular basis. The dog’s skin is the most likely area to be affected by allergies whether those allergic reactions are cause by flea bites, grasses or foods.
Frequent causes of skin reactions indoors can be dust mites or fleas in the home. While some dogs seem totally unaffected by fleas or skin problems, other breeds are prone to suffering from allergies. Terriers, Retrievers, Dalmatians and Setters often suffer from itching skin due to allergies to flea, plastics, milk products, cleaning products, grass, weeds and even fabric finishes. If your dog has dry skin, crusty patches and bald spots, or an overly oil coat, there is good chance those problems are caused by a canine allergy.
Seasonal allergies to pollens and grasses can become more several as your dog grows older. The allergic reaction for seasonal allergies can be treated with shots or pills that provide steroids that will complete ease the itching for your pet. It is important to limit the use of corticosteroids in treating dog allergies as the drugs can have harmful side effects if used long term. Thus, the steroids are often confined to treating allergies that are short term and related to the season.
One treatment often recommended by veterinarians is Atopica which contains cyclosporine and is well tolerated by most dog breeds. An allergy to inhaled substances is referred to as atopy and Atopica addresses those allergies. Some dogs may have a reaction to the medication which can include yellowing of the eyes, skin or gums and lethargy and these should be reported promptly to your vet. Other side effects can be loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst and frequent urination.
For dogs with allergies triggered by grass, weeds or pollen, it’s best to keep your pet indoors as much as you can on days when the pollen count is extremely high. It may help to wipe or wash his paws when you bring him back into the house. Hard surface floors in the home and frequent washing of pet bedding can limit the dust mites find homes in fabrics. Frequent vacuuming of carpet and keeping the dog off upholstered furniture also limits his contact with mites.
Molds are a frequent offender in causing canine allergies. Molds can form in shaded portions of the yard after frequent rains or be spread by humidifiers if filters are not maintained. Dogs should never be confined to a basement or storage room where mold be might present.
Your veterinarian can help in identifying what your dog is allergic to and can prescribe a medication to treat the symptoms of canine allergic reactions. Untreated, the scratching from allergies can lead to serious skin infections and to lesions that may be difficult to heal. Your dog is suffering if his skin is constantly itching from an allergic reaction. Work with your veterinarian to identify the problem and stop the itch.
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