A Brief Discussion Of Dog Allergies Treatment

That there are several effective approaches to dog allergies treatment is a reflection of the fact that allergic reactions in canines have four main causes. Determining the specific allergen may involve some testing since the different types of allergens provoke common symptoms. Treatments have been developed that are effective in the majority of cases. For the most stubborn conditions, steroid or immunotherapy are treatments that are usually successful.

Atopic, or inhaled substances, are the most prevalent cause for allergic symptoms. These include mold, pollen, mildew, dust and dust mites which contain antigens, or substances introduced that cause the creation of antibodies. The second most common cause are allergic reactions to flea bites, which includes at least 15 antigens. Tests show that about 40 percent of dogs have negative reactions to flea bites.

The third common cause is allergic reactions to food. The foods most often involved are the same ones that are the primary ingredients found in pet foods on the market. A rarer form of allergy are skin conditions, which may include ringworm or the mange, both fungal infections. Two types of contact dermatitis, Allergic or Irritant, also exist, and are caused by exposure to harsh chemicals or certain metals or antibiotics.

All of the above mentioned reasons produce the same general symptoms of itching and skin conditions. This may make diagnosing the particular allergen more confusing but there are means to narrow the options. If increased bowel movements, vomiting or diarrhea, or ear problems are additional symptoms, food may be the reason. Placing ones pet on a novel diet of food they have never had before for twelve weeks, called a food trial, may relieve the symptoms.

Skin conditions may be diagnosed through an exclusion trial, which means keeping the pet away from possible allergens outdoors, limiting them to a room with no carpets. The avoidance approach of removing the likely causes for the reactions and reintroducing them one by one can be effective to determine the cause. But, the most conventional treatments often resolve the symptoms so that no further tests are required.

The most effective treatment that clears up the problem in many cases is giving Omega-3 fatty acids, or fish oil, to ones pet. The effects of chemicals known as histamines that are produced by the antibodies that fight off antigens are behind the symptoms, and fatty acids reduce those side effects in many cases. Several antihistamine drugs are available that can be administered if symptoms persist.

Biotin, or vitamin B7, has been found to be an effective therapy for a good percentage of animals. Remedies that are applied to the pets skin, such as anti itch salves, sprays or shampoos, are called topical therapy. Those solutions, as well as hydrocortisone shampoos, offer temporary relief and do not treat the cause.

In the most stubborn cases, immunotherapy, similar to allergy testing and injections for humans, is used as a dog allergies treatment. This consists of skin tests to determine the allergens involved, then giving weekly injections until immunity builds up. Steroids are another effective remedy, but because they may affect the immune and endocrine systems, their use is normally reserved for severe cases.

I'm a pet health expert who specializes in dog skin allergies treatment.