According to WebMD, one in five people suffer from some type of allergy. An allergy is defined as a disorder of the immune system that makes a person hypersensitive to normally innocuous substances. The substance (allergen) that causes allergies could be pollen, cat dander, or a specific food. Inhaling, ingesting, or coming into contact with these allergens can cause a variety of symptoms, from itchy eyes and rashes to death. Most of us know someone who is allergic to something. But did you know that allergies also affect our furry friends?
About 20 percent of the dogs in America have some type of allergy, according to the ASPCA. Of course, these allergies are often much harder to diagnose than they are in humans, since our canine friends can't tell us that something is making them sick. In other words, we must pay close attention to how they look and act. No, you don't have to be a pet detective. You simply have to keep an eye out for the same symptoms that are associated with allergies in humans.
What are they?
Itchy, watery, and/or runny eyes
Sneezing
Diarrhea
Itchy ears
Incessant scratching
Red or inflamed skin
Heavy, stertorous snoring or breathing
Paw licking, biting, or chewing
Vomiting
Obviously, some of these symptoms are more noticeable than others. If your dog throws up shortly after you switch dog food brands that may mean he is allergic to one of the ingredients in the new food. This is often easy to address, i.e., simply go back to the old brand. But other common dog allergies can be difficult to pinpoint. If you pet is sneezing, coughing, or even wheezing, it could be caused by any one of a dozen allergens. More often than not, something is affecting his respiratory tract, but it is hard to know exactly what that something is. The only way to know for sure is to have him tested for pet allergies by a veterinarian.
As every pet owner knows, veterinary visits can be expensive, especially for people living on fixed incomes. The doctor has to do a complete physical examination, including blood and/or skin tests, which can really add up.
Food Allergens
Is there an affordable option? It really does depend on the allergy. If you pet vomits or has diarrhea shortly after eating, there's a pretty good chance he has a food allergy and that something you are feeding him is making him sick. In order to locate the allergen, you must put your pooch on an elimination diet. That means no more treats and no more feeding him from the table! You must keep track of everything he eats and then start removing foods until you locate the culprit. Of course, this does not mean that you will feed him any less than you did before. It simply means less variety.
Environmental Allergens
As you might expect, it is much harder to locate the offending substance if it cannot be tracked. Therefore, prevention is the best treatment for dogs that suffer from environmental allergies. Whether you canine friend is allergic to dust or pollen, it is possible to keep him bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (or waggy-tailed) with a little extra work. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Cleaning is the place to start. This includes both your house and your dog. Pet owners who have pooches with allergies should vacuum their homes or apartments at least twice a week. It is also extremely important to clean the place where he sleeps or spends most of his time. If he has a dog bed that is dirty and old, replace it, even if he's partial to it. He might not know it's making him sick!
Regular, even weekly bathing may help relieve the itching and skin irritation that is cause by environmental allergens like pollen. There are prescription and over-the-counter shampoos that are designed specifically for dogs with sensitive skin who may also suffer from allergies. Ask your veterinarian which products are best for your dogs. It is important to note that some shampoos do contain harsh chemicals that may actually make the skin irritation worse. Therefore, it is always best to talk to your dog's doctor before you use any new product on him.
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