Dog Health - Allergy

Dog Health - Allergy

Canine allergies are a lot like human allergies - dogs can react to things in the air, in their food or on their skin. Learn to recognize canine allergy symptoms, then provide your dog with needed relief.
Here are few steps that can help to decide the correct action required in case of allergy -

Symptoms
• Look for allergy symptoms in your dog. The most common signs of an allergy to inhalants or fleas are -frequent itching, chewing and biting, especially on the tail, the stomach, and the insides of the hind legs, as well as licking and chewing the paws.
• Inhaled allergies can also result in - sneezing, coughing and watery eyes.
• Vomiting and diarrhea are usually symptoms of food allergies.
• Hives and rashes can be symptoms of various types of allergies.

Food Allergy
• If you suspect an allergy to food whaih can be due to corn, beef, dairy products, wheat and soybeans.
• Talk to your veterinarian about putting your dog on a special protein diet to determine which food your dog is reacting to. Follow the veterinarian's guidelines to gradually introduce other foods into the diet until the allergen is found.

Inhalants Allergy
• If you suspect an allergy to inhalants, vacuum and dust frequently, which can be due to dust, mold spores, pollen grains, and household chemicals such as carpet cleaner and air fresheners.
• Treat your dog to a cool bath, and shampoo or rinse with aloe vera or oatmeal to help soothe the itchy skin.
• Your veterinarian may also recommend antihistamines or drugs to keep the itching at bay while the skin heals and the allergen is diminished.

Flea Allergy
• Check your dog for fleas, as your dog could be suffering from flea bite dermatitis (an allergy to a flea's saliva). • Careful grooming and frequent examinations, not only for fleas but flea droppings, can help alleviate this allergy.
• Ask your vet about flea products such as sprays, shampoos, topicals and pills.

Contact Allergy
• Some dogs are allergic to grass, plastic food bowls. If your dog has acne on his chin and uses a plastic feeding bowl, consider switching to a steel, glass or ceramic feeding bowl.

Tips
• If the the dog show symptoms of vomitting or diarrhea , consult your vet immediately as it could be a more serious medical condition.
• Inhaled allergies erupt in the spring and winter.
• Flea allergies are most prominent during the summer season.
• Never apply flea products to irritated or broken skin
• Certain dog breeds are more prone to allergies than others. If buying a purebred dog, ask the owner whether the parents have allergies, since allergies are inherited


Links
http://ezinearticles.com/?Dealing-with-Dog-Allergies&id=188923
http://allergies.about.com/od/specificallergens/a/dogallergy.htm