Dogs Have Allergies Too

Just like you your dog needs to be healthy to enjoy life. Dogs are our friends companions and and even watch over us to keep us safe at times and since they depend on us for their care we must make sure their health is cared for. Here you will find tips and information which could help help you keep fido healthy and happy.

When Your Dog Starts to Sneeze

There are many things that both the dogs and the dog owners could have in common. For example both dogs and dog owners could be prone to obesity if not regulating food intake and by not exercising.

In addition dogs and humans may also acquire diseases that results from improper dietary regimen like diabetes heart diseases etc.

Moreover the most amusing thing that both dogs and humans share is the fact that they are both vulnerable to allergies.

Sounds impossible? Think again.

Veterinary experts assert that dogs have allergies too. One of the primary signs of allergies is the itching of their skin. Their respiratory tract system can also be affected with allergies.

Normally dogs will manifest symptoms of respiratory tract allergies like sneezing wheezing and coughing. Their nose and their eyes may also manifest a discharge just like humans do whenever they have colds or flu.

There are also allergies that may have an effect on their digestive system; hence it may result as watery stools diarrhea or vomiting.

Experts say that almost 20% of the dogs in the United States suffer from several types of allergy. So for people who want to know more about the different allergies that dogs acquire here is a list of the most common allergies:

1. Allergies with fleas

It is a well-known fact that dogs are usually infected with fleas. However what most people do not know is that they can get allergies through these fleas too.

Well it is not the fleas that actually cause the allergic reactions in dogs but the flea’s saliva. Hence it is important for the dog to undergo a skin allergy examination so as to determine if a particular dog is sensitive to flea saliva.

In the event that the dog is allergic to flea saliva it would be better for the owner to implement a rigorous flea control or flea eradication treatment in order to lessen the allergic reactions. Though it must be kept in mind that solutions that are used in flea control should be safe for the dog.

2. Allergies pertaining to foods

Like humans dogs get allergies from food as well. There are instances wherein dogs get allergies from foods that their system cannot tolerate such as wheat soy products pork beef whey fish eggs milk corn artificial sweeteners and chemical preservatives that are placed in their food.

Moreover dogs can get allergies in food that they have not tried before. The best way to combat this particular allergy problem is to feed the dog commercial dog foods more often instead of homemade products.

Some signs of allergic reactions to food in dogs are shaking of the head scratching the ears irritated skin biting and licking at the rear feet inflammations in the ear sneezing behavioral changes vomiting diarrhea etc.

3. Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a known allergic skin disease in dogs. This is usually caused by the hypersensitivity of the dog’s immune system to ordinary substances that can be found in the environment like molds or dust mites.

Usually a dog is said to be suffering from atopic dermatitis when the dog begins to excessively lick and chew its paws licking the abdomen and its rear feet.

Atopic dermatitis can be seen as a saliva staining found in the armpits between the toes of the paws and in the groin. In light-colored canines atopic dermatitis can be seen as a red-brown stain found on the same parts that were mentioned.

4. Allergies resulting from bacteria

This is the most common cause of serious allergies in dogs. Generally there are certain bacteria that thrive in the dog’s skin. This is known as the species of Staphylococcus bacteria. In most cases this does not cause allergies in dogs. However there are certain types of dogs that develop an allergy to it.

The most common symptom of this kind of allergy is hair loss along with the development of ringworm like marks in the dog’s skin. The areas where these marks appear usually get infected hence it is important to treat them with antibiotics.

Indeed allergies are not for humans only. Allergies great affects almost 20% of the total population of dogs in the United States and that is a pretty alarming number. Therefore it is extremely important for dog owners to know these dog allergies in order to prevent them from further exposure.

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