Dog allergy symptoms
Every dog owner must have seen their pets suffer from dog allergies some time in their lives. Dog allergy is a condition in which the dog develops a kind of hypersensitivity to a particular substance or material. Allergies that affect dogs can be of several different types. It is the responsibility of the pet owner to monitor and identify dog allergies symptoms. Allergy symptoms are nothing but the warning signs that show that there is a problem. Symptoms may vary with different types of allergies.
Typically, most of the dog allergies symptoms present themselves on the skin of the dogs. Dogs are affected by allergies as much as humans. Allergies usually affect the hosts by provoking the resistant system of the dogs and make them react in an extreme and abnormal manner. This in turn causes severe itching and irritation on the skin leading to excessive scratching and blisters.
Skin irritation is one of the easiest dog allergies symptoms you can identify. Other symptoms of the skin irritation may include redness and swelling of body parts. In extreme cases, hair loss may occur due to the infection on the affected parts of the ski. Allergy is further intensified due to persistent scratching.
When you are looking for the dog allergies symptoms, you can start by identifying cigar shaped mites on the hair strands or oil glands of the dog’s skin. By recognizing symptoms it is easy to find out the type of allergy that your dog is suffering from. If symptoms persist and intensifies, you must immediately contact a vet and take your pet for examination.
There are five different types of allergies that dogs suffer from namely food allergies, flea allergies, bacteria allergies, contact allergies and atopy allergies. Even though the demarcations between the symptoms of the various types of dog allergies are not well defined, a qualified veterinarian would be able to pinpoint the exact type of allergy and treat your dog accordingly.
Your vet may either prescribe oral medications to control dog allergies symptoms or may give him an injection for immediate relief from itching and pain. He may also suggest you give your pet a weekly bath with a good dog shampoo and conditioner. If it is a seasonal allergy, your vet may recommend you keep the dog indoors during the pollination season.
Identifying allergy symptoms early and providing timely treatment is most essential to fight dog allergies.