DOG HAS ALLERGIES? KNOW THE MAIN CAUSES

Just like humans, animals can also develop a number of health problems related to the environment in which they live, with dog allergy being one of the most common conditions.

That’s because a series of causative agents may be hiding in your home, without you even suspecting that it’s doing harm to your pet.

In this sense, knowing in depth what are the main causes of allergy in dogs is essential, as well as knowing how to recognize the symptoms to then help your little friend and protect his health.

And if you still don’t know how exactly this works, don’t worry. We’ve prepared special content so you can stay on top of it and be able to identify everything that’s hurting him. Follow!

What is dog allergy?

It is a reaction of the immune system against an “invader”, which can be anything the body identifies as a threat.

Usually, they manifest themselves when the dog comes into contact with agents such as fungi, ticks, fleas, lice, in addition to other factors that, most of the time, we do not even imagine that they can cause them, such as:

• Cigarette smoke;
• Mold;
• Certain cleaning products;
• Some foods like beef, chicken, wheat and milk;
• Sting of some insects and parasites.

In addition, there are animals that develop allergies as a result of genetic or atopic problems.

Some dogs are also more likely to develop allergies, such as Beagle, Boxer, Bulldog, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu and some others, due to their genetic condition.

Symptoms that something is not right

We know that dogs and cats often have moments of itching and licking their paws and this is absolutely normal.

However, this excessive behavior in animals may indicate the presence of an allergic reaction on the skin of animals, which must be identified as soon as possible so that measures are applied and it does not become something more serious.

Among the main symptoms of allergy in pets, we can highlight:

Intense focal or multifocal itching

As we mentioned above, if you notice that your pet is itchy beyond normal on its paws, body and is compulsively rubbing itself against the wall, know that there is a high chance that it is suffering from an allergic reaction.

hair loss

The fall of hair in the same way, is an indication that something is not going well. Some breeds, however, have common hair loss, without this necessarily being related to allergies.

Redness or sores on the skin

If you notice that your dog has red spots or wounds on the skin for no apparent reason, also suspect an allergic reaction.

other symptoms

In addition to those already mentioned, there are also other symptoms that can be observed in the case of allergies in dogs, such as inflammation of the ear (otitis), constant sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea and even difficulty breathing in some more serious cases.

What are the most common allergies in dogs?

There are some diseases that affect dogs that are easier to identify, as well as find adequate treatment.

atopic dermatitis

Also known as atopy, canine atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory genetic condition that usually arises from contact with various substances present in the environment, such as mites, house dust and even fungi and bacteria.

It is characterized by persistent itching of the animal’s skin, redness, flaking and, in some cases, recurrent otitis.

It is a disease that has no cure, and therefore, from the veterinary diagnosis, it is only possible to control it through the use of antihistamines, antibiotics and shampoos specific to the condition.

Food allergy

With symptoms similar to dermatitis, food allergy is characterized by intolerance to certain foods that, instantly after ingestion, cause angioedema (swelling on the face) and/or hives in pets.

In these cases, although there are veterinary exams that are capable of identifying this type of allergy, the best thing to do is to perform the good old food restriction.

Give your pet only rations and food that he is used to consuming and double the care so that he does not eat anything more than normal.

Allergy to insect bites

Dogs infected with parasites tend to develop a very common type of allergy, caused by contact with flea saliva, ticks and other parasites.

Usually, this condition can be identified by causing small spots on the animal’s skin, in addition to itching and restlessness.

Treatment in these cases includes not only care for the dog, but also the environment in which it lives. Antifleas and ticks are indicated by the doctor in charge and can be purchased both at a veterinary clinic and at pet stores.

As for the environment, it is recommended that specific cleaning products be applied to eliminate the presence of parasites.