Identifying & Controlling Your Dog's Allergies
By M. H. Molock, Fri Dec 9th

Between 15% to 20% of all dogs in the United States suffer fromallergies. As in humans, allergies may manifest in differentways producing varied symptoms in your pet. Knowing the signs ofallergy suffering will bring your dog faster relief and happierdays. As with any pet related medical issue, always consult yourveterinarian if you suspect a problem.

Food Allergies

Dogs can develop allergies or food sensitivities at any pointduring their lives. Often, dogs eat the same type of food foryears, so their diet may be overlooked. The most common problemcausing foods include:

· Soy products · Beef · Chicken · Corn · Wheat · Pork · Milk ·Whey · Eggs · Fish · Lamb · Chemical Preservatives · ArtificialSugars

Symptoms of Food Allergies often include:

· Itchy Skin · Ear Inflammations · Ear Scratching · FrequentLicking or Biting of Paws · Anal Itching · Face Rubbing · HeadShaking · Loss of Appetite · Coughing

Remedy: Once food allergies have been determined to be the causeof your dog's symptoms, eliminating the potential allergens fromyour pet's diet is the first course of action. Begin byexcluding foods which are known instigators (see list above).Look for either a commercial product which contains ingredientsyour dog has not eaten before or prepare home-made food for yourdog consisting of two parts starch to one part protein.Suggested protein alternatives include duck, salmon, venison, orrabbit. Potatoes are suggested as an alternative starch. Allingredients should be served boiled and fed in normalproportions to your dog's regular diet. Once prepared, the foodcan be individually packaged, frozen, and then used as needed.Home cooked diets are generally nutritionally incomplete andshould only be used temporarily during the test period.

One item at a time, begin adding ingredients present in yourdog's former food to his new food. If symptoms reappear, thefood allergen should be easily identified. During the testperiod, make certain your dog eats only the new food. Eliminatetreats, dog bones, table scraps, rawhide, chews, vitamins, etc.Once the offending food has been identified, look for acommercial food which does not contain that ingredient.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis, or canine atopic dermatitis, is an allergicskin disease generally caused by an immune hypersensitivity toenvironmental substances such as mold spores or dust mites.Indications your dog has this sensitivity generally presentthemselves by the age of two. Food and flea allergies, as wellas parasitic infections, should be ruled out first as theirsymptoms are similar to atopic dermatitis.

Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis include:

· Excessive Grooming · Licking or Chewing of the Paws, Stomach,or between the Toes · Change of Stomach Skin Color to anIrritated Red · Ears which are Red or Hot to the Touch

Remedy:

Skin testing can be conducted by your veterinarian todetermine your dog's specific allergy.

Flea

Caused by the saliva secreted by the flea, a flea is themost common form of dog allergy. Sometimes the bite of a singleflea may cause your dog to launch into fits of self-chewing andbiting lasting for five to seven days.

Symptoms of Flea Include Severe Biting & Chewing of:

· The Tail and Surrounding Area · Stomach · Inside hind legs

Remedy: A

skin test can be performed to confirm your dog isallergic to flea saliva. Once a flea has been confirmed,a strict control regimen should be initiated. Flea controlproducts are safer now than they once were with options rangingfrom topical solutions to pills, shampoos and sprays. Garlic andBrewers Yeast have also been touted to keep fleas away as haveweekly topical applications of lavender and eucalyptus oils.However these solutions have not been scientifically confirmed.

Whatever remedy you choose, consult your veterinarian first.Overly strong flea killing preparations may cause your dog moreharm than good. Additionally, regular dog grooming (through yourdog's coat and down to the skin) will help find and eliminatefleas and flea droppings.

Inhalant

Inhalant allergies are substances in the environment which causeyour dog's immune system to react, releasing antibodiescontaining histamines, serotonin, and leukotrienes. Pollens fromtrees, grass, ragweed as well as mold spores, chemicals, dustmites and wood chips in pet bedding may cause your dogsubstantial discomfort.

One clue to diagnosing this is timing. Is your dog'sallergy seasonal or year round? If you know to what your dog isallergic, avoidance is the best remedy. To help mitigatepossible allergens, use dehumidifiers to reduce mold, airconditioners during pollen season, air cleaners with HEPAfilters for dust and pollen residue, and vacuum frequently.

Inhalant Symptoms Include:

· Biting and scratching at the body · Red or Irritated ear flapswhich are hot to the touch · Head shaking · Rubbing the face ·Severe scratching or biting of the flank, groin, paws and armpitregions

Remedy: Providing your dog relief may come in the form of a coolbath with colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera, eucalyptus, or amedicated shampoo. However these will only provide your dogtemporary relief and will need to be repeated frequently.

Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are natural anti-inflammatoryagents which have proven successful in approximately 20% of dogstested. Omega 3 fatty acids are found in fish oils such as Codand Omega 6 fatty acids come from plants containinggamma-linolenic acid - such as evening primrose. Antihistamineshave also proven effective in dogs with allergies with oneshort-term effect being lethargy or tiredness.

Corticosteriods (steroids) are substances which interfere withthe function of the immune system and reduce itching by reducingthe inflammation. They also affect all the organs in your dog'sbody and should be used under medical supervision for shortperiods of time or in small doses.

Blood tests and intradermal skin testing can also be performedto judge specific reactions to allergens.

Contact Allergies

Contact allergies are the least common of dog allergies. Itemssuch as flea collars, grass, shampoos, plants, chemicals, andwood chips may cause allergic reactions. By eliminating theirritant, symptoms should disappear.

If you think your dog may suffer from allergies, keep a journal.Make notes as to the symptoms, their severity, and when theyoccur. This will help your veterinarian pinpoint the problem andhelp your dog achieve a speedier recovery.

About the author:M. H. Molock is the owner of dogclothes-apparel.com, an onlinedog clothes and accessories store. She also writes extensivelyon animal and pet issues. For more pet information and tips,subscribe to her free newsletter athttp://www.dogclothes-apparel.com