There are a variety of conditions that can make a dog itch or sneeze, including endocrine, autoimmune, and parasitic skin diseases. Therefore, it takes some detective work to identify the cause.
If allergies are suspected, the first thing a veterinarian will normally ask is if the dog is on any kind of flea-control product. Flea allergies are the most common type of allergies and the easiest to control. Dog owners have many options for flea control on dogs and in their environment.
If flea allergies are ruled out, food allergies are checked next. Food allergies are not related to a season, whereas most atopic allergies begin as a seasonal problem.
Dogs which develop atopic allergies typically show symptoms between 1 and 5 years of age, but food allergies can crop up at any time. They are high on the list of suspected causes when a dog first exhibits itchy skin at an age less than 6 months, or over 5 years.
To test for food allergies, the dog is put on what is referred to as an “elimination diet” for at least 10 weeks. This means the dog is fed food that consists of a protein and carbohydrate that the dog has not eaten before, such as duck, venison, and potatoes.
These special foods, which come in packets or cans like normal dog food, may be found in pet stores. Another option is to feed the dog a homemade diet of foods recommended by the veterinarian.
If the dog’s itching subsides by at least half, the allergen is clearly being caused by one of the foods that make up its regular diet. For confirmation, the owner can reintroduce the regular diet to see if the symptoms worsen again.
To check a dog for atopic allergies, veterinarians use an intradermal allergy test (also known as a skin reaction test). The dog is mildly sedated, a postcard-sized area on the side of it is shaved, and small amounts of potential allergens are injected into the skin on the shaved area. If the dog is allergic to one of the injected substances, the skin will become inflamed at the area of the injection.
More : Creams For Dog Allergies
Related Posts
Tags: Animals, dog allergies, dog health, dogs, family, House & Home, Pets