Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Allergies – Dogs May Suffer Too

Many people do not realize that their dogs, like humans, can suffer from allergies. In fact, about twenty percent of the dogs in the United States alone suffer from one allergy or another, the flea allergic dermatitis is the most common allergy in dogs. Other types include atopic dermatitis, food allergies and respiratory allergies.

Signs and symptoms of dog allergies may vary but are often characterized by persistent itching and discoloration of the skin (the skin in the most common allergies), coughing, sneezing, wheezing, mucus discharge (most common respiratory allergies) and nausea, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea (often with food allergies and other ailments.)

Over-the-counter preparations and treatments for common dog allergies exist and may be purchased at a good supermarket for pets, but care must be taken when choosing such treatments. A consultation with a veterinarian is the best first course of action for several reasons. First, what you think is an allergic reaction may actually signs of a serious and a vet, the one to determine whether this is the case. Secondly, if the allergy is severe enough, over-the-counter treatments are not sufficient to treat the symptoms and treat as prescription medication may be necessary. There is also the chance that the dog has no allergies at all. The last thing you want to do is treat your pet unnecessarily.

If you think your dog has a kind of allergy, consult your veterinarian. The doctor will order tests to determine whether an allergic condition exists, how severe it is, and what treatment is suitable to perform. If the dog is allergic to certain foods, it is necessary to the power of the animal to restrict to those elements to eliminate a reaction. Methods The veterinarian can help determine whether this type of allergy exists. If the dog has a flea allergy dermatitis (an allergic reaction to flea saliva, rather than the insects themselves), a regime of extreme flea prevention are recommended.

Like humans dogs can suffer from various allergies comfortable life if they are detected and treated. It is important to remember that this is not a time to "play doctor" by attempting to diagnose and treat a possible allergic condition yourself. Only your veterinarian is qualified to determine if your dog suffer from allergies and what course to take.

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