Dog Allergies

Are dog allergies the same as human allergies?
Dog allergies can happen just like in their human companions. Dog allergies usually manifest themselves as skin conditions.

What are dog allergies?
An allergy is a hypersensitivity to exposure of a harmless substance, known as an allergen. Allergens induce the body’s immune system to “overreact”; usually causing skin irritation in the pet. In both humans and their pets allergies are becoming more common. Dog allergies can be respiratory allergies like humans; respiratory allergies are somewhat uncommon in dogs.
Dog allergies as skin conditions are seen as redness, itching, recurring skin infections, and hair loss; sometimes called eczema, or atopic dermatitis. Some allergies can also manifest as ear infections.

How do you know if your pet is suffering from dog allergies?
There are microscopic cigar shaped mites that are normal on the dog’s skin, which under certain types of stress can cause skin conditions; such as demodex. These mites reside in what is called “Mange”; the hair follicle and oil glands of the skin. Hence the general term Mange, to describe any mite infestation. In rare cases, it can be passed on to humans. You can try and identify the type of allergy your dog have by reading our articles, but only a veterinarian can run the required tests to make the final determination of dog allergies or mite infestation.

The major types of dog allergies are:

A dog allergy known as flea allergic dermatitis, if the most common skin condition in dogs; flea allergic dermatitis is also common in cats. This condition must be treated aggressively for 100% eradication in the flea allergic pet, for the pet to remain symptom free.

Dog Food Allergies

Dog allergies may come from the pet developing hypersensitivity to their normal food over time. It could be a carbohydrate, or protein component in their food. To make the diagnosis of food allergy, a special diet for a period of ten to sixteen weeks may be undertaken to see if the symptoms disappear. When switching back to their normal diet causes a reoccurrence of the symptoms, food allergy is known to be the cause. You will have to find the component and remove it from the pet’s diet with the help of a veterinarian.

Dogs Atopy

Commonplace and otherwise harmless substances, such as pollen, house dust mites, mold, and spores can cause the inherited predisposition to develop skin problems known as atopic dermatitis to cause itching in your pet.

Secondary Infections

Although dog allergies are most often the underlying cause of recurring skin, and, or ear infections. Secondary to dog allergies, bacterial and yeast infections can also cause an increase in your pet’s level of itching.

Is there a cure for dog allergies?
Dog allergies can only be controlled. They are usually a life-long problem.

Can the symptoms be treated without the expensive diagnostic testing?
Long term use of certain drugs to reduce the symptomatology of dog allergies can be hard on the pet’s system. For this reason, accurate diagnosis and treatment by a veterinarian is best for any type of dog allergies.