Skin Allergies- Dogs

Since a dog can't describe how it's feeling, most people first notice that their pet is allergic to something when they have unexplained dermatological or digestive problems. Dog skin allergies can be as mild as excessive scratching or as serious as clumps of fur falling out, and oozing secretions.

A skin ailment on your dog is a clue to take him or her to the vet. Because some of these problems are related to problems that you cannot solve without medical expertise and treatment, your dog will need to be examined by a vet. A diagnosis of allergies is usually made after ruling out other problems, and then you can start home treatments (along with any your vet prescribes).

Problems with the coat or skin in dogs that have allergies do not mean that the reaction was caused by an exterior source, though it can. Allergic reactions to fleas and other pests can result in these problems, but so can many other things such as diet. Food allergies are one of the most common allergic sources of dermatological symptoms.

Removing potential allergens from your dog's diet and environment is usually the first step in both treating him or her and figuring out what he's allergic to. If the problem resolves itself when common allergens are removed from the dog's life, then you can start reintroducing them one or two at a time, in order to figure out which ones elicit a reaction. Changing to a low-allergen dog food is especially important during the removal phase, because many regular foods contain wheat or other grains that are common allergens in both dogs and people.

Removing fleas from your dog's environment is also important. Many dogs are allergic to flea bites, and while being treated with a preventative will prevent infestation, if there are fleas in the environment, they can bite the dog often enough to trigger a reaction. Treatments should still be used, but cleaning the home and treating it for fleas may also be required with sensitive dogs.

Air particulates such as dust and mites can elicit allergic reactions in some dogs. While usually this reaction is respiratory, it is worth eliminating them as much as possible from the environment of an allergic dog to see if they are the problem. Air purifiers are good, if you have or are willing to buy one, but cleaning is essential. This should include vacuuming and dusting with a dust-trapping cloth, at the very least.

Treatment like this doesn't always work for dogs who are reacting to something extremely common. Your vet can talk to you about prescribing medication if this is the case. However, if you still don't know what the problem is, consider going through the list of potential allergens a few more times with your vet, in case you missed anything. Removing the allergen itself is always better than medicating your dog.

Reactions to dog skin allergies include itching, pain, and other discomfort. In order to alleviate this discomfort while you are treating the dog, your vet might prescribe some kind of cream, bath, or medication. Remember to follow your vet's instructions, in order to make your pet as comfortable as possible while you are treating the underlying issue.