My Dog Has Allergies
Treatment Strategies That Work
People and animals have many things in common. Allergies can occur in each species. Veterinary Assistant Colleges can provide invaluable information on what to look for and how to treat your dog should they develop allergy symptoms. When allergens are present in any environment, some dogs are ill equipped to respond effectively thereby creating respiratory or skin reactions much like their masters.
A reputable vet assistant college can share knowledge with pet owners who have begun to notice if their dog acts differently when exposed to certain chemicals, food items, or fragrances. Common symptoms they identify appear on the list below.
- Runny or itchy eyes
- Sneezing, wheezing, or coughing
- Increased scratching occurring over the body
- Chewing on paws/swollen or inflamed paws
- Sucking or licking certain spots
While veterinary assistant colleges advise these are the most common symptoms, there can be others. Mostly, if you notice changes in your dog that repeat themselves under certain circumstances, they may be allergic to a food item or airborne element. Sometimes dog allergies can even initiate secondary infections. If this occurs, you may need to take a trip to the veterinarian’s office for treatment.
Common allergens that dogs may be sensitive to are presented below.
- Dander or feathers
- Mold spores or dust mites
- Trees, grasses, or weed pollens
- Cigarette smoke
- Medications – prescriptions or over the counter
- Food ingredients – most common are beef, chicken, pork, soy, corn, or wheat
- Fleas or flea control products
- Cleaning products
Vet assistant colleges have complete listings of possible dog allergens. However, there could be something in your dog’s environment not appearing on the list. What is essential to remember is that if your dog has any of the symptoms that recur, you should begin keeping a record to identify any pattern that may exist. It is helpful to note any event or item that precedes their symptoms, and identify any product or condition that may have been involved.
There are effective ways to treat, reduce, or eliminate allergies once properly diagnosed. Obvious choices for environmental or product-induced allergies are to eliminate them from your household. Sometimes food allergies require feeding your dog prepared ‘human grade’ food.
All in all, your veterinarian can diagnose and suggest treatment so that you and your pooch enjoy an allergen-free, symptom-free home. Veterinarian assistant colleges can provide initial information prior to visiting your vet’s office to aid you in the process.