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Dealing with Dog Skin AllergiesSo you think dog skin allergies may be affecting your dog? You could be right, as they are extremely common. Most of us are familiar with the common allergy symptoms seen in humans such as  sneezing, watery eyes, itchy throat
and skin rashes, just to
name a few. And those that suffer are quite familiar with the
frustrations that allergies can cause.Similarly, your dog can show symptoms of their allergies in many ways, and skin reactions is a big one. Let’s practice the first step in dealing with dog skin allergies… …wait… …waaaaaaiiiiiit… …waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiit… Good job! You’ve conquered the first step - - patience. ;) There are numerous causes of dog skin allergies, so discovering what allergen is affecting your dog will take some trial and error. Here are the main three causes that we’ll review further down the page… Food allergy Flea allergy dermatitis Atopy Food AllergyFirst, we have an entire page devoted to dog food allergies. Click here to go there now.Here are the basics… Dog skin allergies resulting from food are caused by one or more of the ingredients in your dog’s food or treats.
What are the most common allergens? They're ingredients found in many dog foods...
dogs to develop a food allergy. In certain cases a dog may experience a change in their immune system, causing certain ingredients to be perceived as foreign even if they are not harmful. What does the body do? It attacks the “intruders”, often times in the form of dog skin allergies. So how does your dog develop a food allergy in the first place? Can they be born with it or does it always just develop over time? Both! Dog food allergies can be genetic or come about as their body’s systems change with age. Skin problems aren’t the only symptom of a dog food allergy. They could also experience…
The only way for you and your veterinarian to determine the cause of your dog’s food allergy is to put the dog on a hypoallergenic or elimination diet for a minimum of 8-12 weeks. The new diet will consist of ingredients not found in your dog’s previous food. The source of protein in the food is the usual cause of the allergy, so by substituting a different source of protein such as venison, fish or duck, you may find that the allergic symptoms improve. Introduce one new ingredient at a time. If your dog’s body reacts to one, you’ll know the culprit. Figuring out the allergen at home is also relatively easy to due through the use of homemade recipes. (back to top of dog skin allergies) Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)Dogs suffering from flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) despise fleas even more than you and your family do!This form of dog skin allergies is a skin disease caused by an allergic reaction to flea saliva. For dogs with this condition, it only takes one bite to trigger intense itching and discomfort. How can you tell if your dog suffers from FAD?
For more information on skin conditions, click here. The good news is that figuring out if your dog has FAD is much easier than finding a dog food allergen… First, determine whether your dog has fleas. If you do find them, follow our advice on the flea control page. Give the treatment options several weeks. If you see no improvement, it’s time for a trip to the vet. A vet can test your dog’s skin to determine whether fleas are indeed the cause. Note that symptoms of FAD can mirror other conditions such as parasites, skin diseases, and other allergies. So how is FAD treated if it is diagnosed? The only way to help protect your dog from FAD is to prevent contact with fleas. It may be difficult, but there are many ways to flea-proof your dog, your home and your yard. Click here to see how. Keep in mind that there is no cure for flea allergy dermatitis. The key to a healthy and happy dog free from itching and skin conditions is to get rid of the fleas. (back to top of dog skin allergies) AtopyAtopy is an allergic condition that effects 15% of all dogs. It usually develops when they are between 1 and 3 years old, but it can be present anywhere from age 4 months to 7 years.
Atopy is just a fancy way of saying that your dog is allergic to
various environmental allergens such as pollen, molds, house dust mites
and animal dander.As with food allergy, it can be genetic or come about over time, but there are specific breeds that seem to be more susceptible. If your dog is a Terrier, Setter, Retriever, Dalmatian or Chinese Shar-Pei, they are more likely to suffer from this kind of allergy. Itching is the primary symptom, especially around the face, feet, lower chest and belly. And frequent scratching can cause hair loss and hot spots to develop. Certain ear problems can also develop in dogs suffering from atopy. Keeping the ear clean and healthy can help to lessen the irritation. How are dog skin allergies in the form of atopy diagnosed? As with flea allergy dermatitis, atopy can be a tricky condition to diagnose because its symptoms mirror those of so many other issues.
Blood tests can be performed to help pinpoint the cause of the itching. It is also important to bring your vet a detailed description of your pet’s history. Sometimes, diagnosing a disorder is like putting together a puzzle; it requires all of the pieces to create an accurate image. So how can atopy be treated? Unfortunately, atopy is a lifelong condition, and, for now, there is no known cure. But there are a number of ways to help manage the problem…
Also see: Dog Skin Conditions and Disorders Dog Skin Rash Itchy Skin Back to Illnesses & Remedies from Dog Skin Allergies
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