A Brief Discussion Of Dog Allergies Treatment

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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 from here in the majority of cases. For the most stubborn conditions, steroid or immunotherapy are treatments that are usually successful.

The two most common causes of allergic reactions are atopic, or inhalants, mainly dust mites, pollen, mold and mildew, and allergens that are present in flea saliva. The symptoms of an allergy are most commonly caused from inhaling an antigen, or a substance which causes the production of antibodies. Studies show that in excess of 40 percent of canines react to the offending substances in flea bites.

Other less prevalent causes are allergic reactions to food or of the skin. Skin problems include the mange and ringworm, which are fungal infections. A pet exhibiting bad reactions to a food is usually allergic to one of the main ingredients found in most dog foods. Allergic and irritant contact dermatitis are two other rarely occurring skin conditions that may be caused by contact with substances that provoke a reaction or from irritating chemicals.

The symptoms that are common to all the different causes are itching and skin problems, so it can be difficult to pin point the specific origin of the disorder. Possible indications that a food allergy may be present are recurring ear problems and increased bowel movements. The best approach to identify food as the cause is a food trial, which involves feeding the animal a novel food source for twelve weeks, then slowly reintroducing foods.

A similar approach of avoiding the cause helps to diagnose a skin problem. An exclusion trial consists of restricting the pet to an uncarpeted room and away from grass and other plants. If the problem decreases, gradual reintroduction of allergens is done until symptoms return. The majority of symptoms produced from inhalants or fleas are controlled with simple treatments.

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.

Topical therapy, which involves treating the pets skin with anti itch ointments, shampoos, rinses or sprays often have good results, but these offer temporary relief. Shampoos containing hydrocortisone are also used. Biotin, a B vitamin, has also shown positive results for some pets.

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.