What can I do about my dogs allergies?

What can I do About my dog’s Allergies?!

Why is now a good time to discuss allergies?
It’s the season once again when allergy sufferers experience watery eyes, itchy ears, sneezing, post nasal drip, cough, sinus trouble, and even asthma symptoms. We head to the store for antihistamines and decongestants to make our symptoms bearable.

How does my dog experience allergies?
Our four legged companions may frequently experience seasonal allergies, but their symptoms differ from ours in several ways. They usually sneeze when experiencing inhalant allergies such as pollen, but probably the most aggravating symptom for dogs is incessantly itchy skin. Allergic dogs will chew their feet, itch all over, and even itch the skin raw trying to get relief from allergies. It’s also the season when fleas come out to bite your dog. Even one flea bite on a dog who is allergic to flea saliva can send the dog into a frenzy of itching. Many dogs have both flea bite allergy and seasonal allergies.

Are there other hidden allergies my dog may have?
Food allergies are common in dogs as well. If your dog has any other allergies he or she should be placed on a hypoallergenic diet that does not include wheat, corn, or gluten. Chicken and rice is tolerated by most dogs, but your dog may even be allergic to chicken, so carefully monitor your dog’s reaction to the hypoallergenic food. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8926721

What are the best treatments for my dog’s inhalant allergies or seasonal allergies?
The treatment protocol that you follow for your dog’s allergies depends on the severity of the allergy and whether or not the allergen can be easily avoided. With food allergies, removing the offending food from the dog’s diet will be all that is needed. But allergic dogs are highly likely to have multiple allergies.

-For flea bite dermatitis: Vacuum regularly. Wash dog’s bedding in hot water every week. Apply a flea medication such as Advantix which kills fleas at all stages of the life cycle. If your pet does get bitten, you know there are fleas in the environment. To avoid the suffering that flea bite dermatitis can cause, give your dog a medication prescribed by your Veterinarian such as long-acting Comfortis, which disables and kills fleas before they have a chance to bite your dog. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3055642

-For seasonal allergies: Run a HEPA air filter in your home. Get HEPA filters for your air -conditioning and heating units. Bathe your Dog with mild shampoo at least once a week to keep the coat free of pollen. Brush your dog between baths to rid the coat of pollen.
If your dog is itching its skin, try an antihistamine such as benadryl (only with your veterinarian’s approval). A newer antihistamine with potentially fewer side effects is Zyrtec. Before using any medication for your dog’s allergies talk with your Veterinarian about how to use it for your dog safely.
A last resort if your dog has severe symptoms, is a steroid such as prednisone. Be sure to discuss with your veterinarian the pros and cons of putting your dog on this powerful drug. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10507265

-My dog cannot avoid grass and pollen. Are there any other treatments for my dog’s allergies that will make him less allergic to these things?
You will most likely need to see a Veterinary specialist for this treatment. Veterinary dermatologists are trained in the fine points in understanding inhalant allergies and their associated canine blood test, allergy skin tests, diagnostic evaluation, and the all-important pet allergy shots. It is the vaccine in the shots that will make allergy desensitization a success or failure. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6008321

Here are some basic guidelines for immunotherapy:
With dog allergy shots, your dog will need a daily needle or shot, at least at first. It is not difficult to give a needle to a dog, and you will be shown exactly how to do it correctly and safely.
You should keep in mind that it is common for dog immunotherapy to take 6 to 12 months. There is no way of knowing when or if the shots will eventually work, especially if the dog has multiple allergies. But with a 75% success rates (or partial success rates), the odds are in your favor.
There are times when a dog will need to have a monthly, or quarterly booster shot to maintain the desensitization.

For more information on the health of your dog go to:
http://www.pennsylvaniahealth.com
http://www.massachusettshealth.com
http://www.orangecountyhealth.com