Does Your Dog Have Allergies?

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 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.

This article may be published in it's entirety provided an active (clickable) link to http://DogBlog.thynke.com is included along with the "About the Author" resource box.

Mike Nalbone is the publisher of The Dog Blog at: http://DogBlog.thynke.com

How Intelligent is Your Dog

It is entirely normal to look for signs of intelligence... Read More

Ensure a Good Relationship Between Your Cat and Your Kids

Many parents know that the best way for children to... Read More

Your First Cichlid Aquarium

So you're thinking about trying cichlids. A good choice. In... Read More

Ticks On Your Dog: What to Do?

Once though of as a mere harmless but annoying pest,... Read More

Rabbit As Pet

Rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart from... Read More

Dog Behavior Training: Methods of Working with a Shy Dog

Shy dogs are more common than most people think, but... Read More

How Many Dogs Are Too Many?

I'm a pariah among the dog fanciers in my community.... Read More

Hamsters; The Perfect Starter Pet

As a parent, you want to be able to give... Read More

What You Should Know About Your Dogs Sleeping Habits

It's important to understand your dog's sleeping habits and how... Read More

Materials for Snake and other Reptile Cages

What kind of materials should you use when constructing a... Read More

What to Do When Your Puppy Dog Is Chewing Everything In Sight

A puppy wanting to chew makes you want to scream!... Read More

How To Save Money By Testing For Feline UTI Yourself

Do you want to save money, anxiety for your kitty,... Read More

No, No, No! Drop It, Drop It! Give It To Me Now!

Puppies can be so exasperating! They know what we want,... Read More

Protect Your Pets From The Pound

Pets are people, too. At least, that's the way they... Read More

Online Guide For Training A Dog

Guide for training a dogSo you can use a guide... Read More

West Highland White Terrier - Westie Grooming

Westie Grooming ? When your west highland white terrier becomes... Read More

What You Should Know About Your Puppy And Play Biting

The main ways a puppy will play with another dog... Read More

Leash Training Your Dog-Take The Time To Get It Done and Do It Right

Attempting to train your dog to walk on a leash... Read More

What About a Newfoundland Dog

Ok, so everyone who stays on top of the show... Read More

Are You Listening To Your Cat Talking?

Is your cat talking to you?Many cat lovers claim that... Read More

Dog Anxiety - Fear of Thunderstorms, and Other Dog Fears

How to Deal With Anxiety in Your DogAnxiety in dogs... Read More

Tips For Toys

Toys are fun both for our dogs and us. Lucky... Read More

Im Allergic To My Cat!

Having a cat allergy came as something of a surprise... Read More

Why Crate Train My Dog?

A few years ago, before I decided to stay home... Read More

What Are The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With Your Horse?

Most people who have horses would like to develop a... Read More