Jul 3, 2012 by Minwriter
A common problem that some dog owners face is how to treat dog skin allergies. There are a lot of different treatment methods out there, and just about as much folklore and myth. However, with a little trial and error, and some research, most pet owners can minimize or eliminate this problem with their pet.
If you haven’t already, the first thing that you need to do is talk to your veterinarian. Not only will they have access to your pet’s medical history, and be familiar with pre-existing conditions, but they will also have access to the latest research about skin allergies and how to treat them.
The main thing is figuring out where your pet’s skin allergies are coming from. In other words, you need to determine what sort of things trigger your pet’s allergies. You may have to research into what causes skin allergies and pay attention to the sort of things that your dog has in his or her environment to find out.
There are a several conditions that are similar to skin allergies, or are a form or skin allergies. For instance, an allergy is simply an immune response that has some effect on the pet in question. This can include red or swollen skin, and is often just a response to a substance, but other conditions can also be mistaken for simple allergies.
Dog allergies are much higher these days than they have been in the past and now experts say that one out of every seven or eight pets suffer from allergies. In fact, it has become the leading cause of a veterinarian visit. Allergies can be caused by food, something environmental or an inhalant.
Dogs have to be exposed to the causing agent at least twice, because the first time that they are exposed, the dog’s bodies simply form antibodies. The second time, or any subsequent times they are exposed, the allergen will cause an allergic reaction that releases histamine. Unlike humans who usually have respiratory problems as the result or allergies, allergies in dogs usually present on the skin.
Allergies can cause the dog to be irritable, and for the skin to itch. Also, dogs that are hypersensitive may have a reaction right after being exposed or several hours later that include hives, nausea and vomiting as well as diarrhea and trouble breathing. Sometimes, the pet can even go into anaphylactic shock.
Generally, there are four types of dog skin allergies. The first is caused by fleas and insects, which is known as flea allergy dermatitis. Then there are the inhaled kind, which are caused by dust mites, mold, and pollen in the air. Also, your pet may have food allergies depending upon what they are eating. Then, there are allergies that are caused by direct contact with the skin.
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