Treating Dogs with Allergies
While there is no one simple fix all solution or standard treatment for your dog’s allergies, there are many different treatments to help relieve your dog of his allergy symptoms. The allergies occur because of the immune system that is hypersensitive to any particular substance or environment. Below, you will find treatments for the 5 different types of dog allergies: skin allergies, flea allergies, food allergies, bacteria allergies, and inhalant allergies.
Noticing these signs is the first step in helping your dog live a long, healthy and happy life. It is always important to monitor your dog’s behavior and reaction to its environment, food and fur. It is important to treat your dog immediately to ensure its condition does not worsen. Your dog may suffer from different allergies and depending on the severity, the treatments vary.
Common dog allergy treatments include antihistamines and antibiotics to reduce swelling and pain, topical ointments to treat wounds and sores, and fatty acids to reduce itching and clear dry skin. Depending on the severity of the allergy, further medications and treatments may be required.
If any symptoms are present, it is important to take your dog to the veterinarian for further treatment and diagnosis. Your veterinarian will be able to ask the right questions and help you find the answers to determine the proper treatment for your dog's allergy.
Contact (Skin) Allergies
The easiest way to treat your dog for contact allergies is simply to remove the irritant. However, trying to find the cause of the reaction could be difficult. Monitoring your dogs habits and routine can help identify the allergen. If you notice your dog performing any of the symptoms in a certain situation, it is likely this is the cause of the allergy.
Medication such as prednisone or corticosteroids may be given to lessen the itching or infected areas on your dog. Antihistamines, fatty acids or prescribed shampoos can also be used to ease irritation.
Flea Allergies
The first step in treating a dog with fleas is to remove it from the flea-ridden area. This may be difficult, but is very important to ensure your dog is clear of fleas before beginning any prescribed dog allergy treatment. There are many commercially available products that kill fleas both indoors and outdoors. Pest exterminators are also an option for serious infestations. A veterinarian can customize a flea control program to satisfy the individual needs of an allergic dog.
A veterinarian may prescribe many different medications such as:
- Topical treatments
- Antihistamines
- Antibiotics
- Fatty acid supplements to aid in skin oil reproduction.
- Medicated shampoos
- Steroids (or cortisone) shots.
It should be noted that dogs are more resistant to steroid side effects than humans. However, the goal is always to subject your dog to the smallest amount of steroid needed to keep your dog comfortable.
Food Allergies
The most effective treatment for food allergies is avoidance. To determine what foods your dog is allergic to, you need to visit a veterinarian to have a food trial test performed. A food trial consists of feeding the dog a novel food source of protein and carbohydrates for a minimum of 12 weeks. The diet must be carefully restricted. This means no treats, flavored medication and no rawhide chew toys.
Short term relief may be gained with fatty acids, steroids and antihistamines, however elimination of certain foods is the most effective and long-term solution to your dog’s food allergy.
The easiest way to be sure your dog is not in contact with his food allergy is to purchase specially prepared food or to create a homemade diet plan. However, it is imperative that a homemade diet is balanced with the correct amount of ingredients, vitamins and minerals.
If you choose to create homemade diets for your dog for a long period of time, it is recommended to visit a nutritionist to ensure your dog’s health.
Bacterial Allergies
The best way to treat a bacterial allergy is to have a blood test done to determine the specific type of bacteria that causes a reaction in your dog. Treatment may include antibiotics or immune stimulants.
It is important to note that bacteria infections have a tendency to return once the medication is discontinued. Because of this, it is best to desensitize your dog with Staph antigen for long term relief of this type of allergy.
Other treatments include antibiotics to treat hot spots or skin irritations. A positive fact about bacterial allergies is they are not contagious to other pets or humans.
Inhalant Allergies
There is no known cure to fully resolve inhalant allergies in dogs. However, there are several treatment options available to control any symptoms. The most efficient solution is to avoid the allergen. This can be very difficult as the allergens are often airborne and not easily controlled. Veterinarian prescribed options are also available. Antihistamines, Cyclosporine A and fatty acids are the safest form of medication to help relieve your dog’s inhalant allergies.
A major form of dog allergy treatment is hyposensitization with specific allergens. Once your dog has been tested for specific allergens, very small amounts of the antigen are injected weekly. The purpose of this therapy method is to desensitize your dog’s immune system to the allergy. This approach is recommended for middle aged or older dogs who have year-round itching caused by an inhalant allergy. There are many drawbacks regarding hyposensitization, so it is best to discuss with your veterinarian before committing to this specific form of treatment for your dog.
Did You Know?
The most common type of allergy is an inhalant allergy, also known as Atopy.
