Vets who practice on dogs and cats a lot of skin problems. There are numerous conditions, the problems with a dog or cat skin, but the most common, by far, allergies.

Symptoms of allergies

Dogs with allergies May show the following symptoms:

* Chewing on feet
* Rubbing the face on the carpet
* Scratching the body
* Recurrent ear infections
* Alopecia
* Damaged Skin
A dog who are allergic to show something, it is about the problems and skin itching, ie, itching. It seems logical that if a dog is allergic to something, which he inhaled (atopy), as certain pollen grains, it will have a runny nose; If he allergic to something he eats (food allergy), such as beef, it can vomit; Or allergic when an insect bite (urticaria or hives), so can he swelling at the site of the bite. In fact, the dog will rarely have these characters. Instead, he is a moderate to severe itching sensation on his body, and perhaps a chronic ear infection.

Moreover, it is often allergic dogs chew on their feet until they are irritated and red (the feet are the only place dogs have sweat glands, and these are inflamed allergies). You can rub their faces on the carpet or couch, scratches or their sides and belly. Since the wax-producing glands of the ear overproduce as a response to the allergy, she ear infections. Bacteria and yeast often “grow over” the excessive wax and debris.

The lesions in an allergic dogs are usually the result of him mutilating his skin by chewing and scratching. Sometimes there is hair loss, which is incomplete or contradictory on the body of a marbleized appearance. The skin itself can be dry and crusty, redness or oily depends on the dog. It is very common to secondary bacterial infections of the skin because of this self lesions. Such infections, which are treated with antibiotics.

Allergens

If a dog is allergic to something, his body reacts to certain molecules as allergens. ” These allergens can:

* Trees
* Grass
* Weed pollen
* Materials such as wool or nylon
* Rubber and Plastics
* Foods and food additives such as individual meat, cereals or dyes
* Dairy products
* House dust and dust mites
* Flea bites

The body of the response to an allergen

The reason that all these allergens cause skin itching is that simplistic, if inhaled allergens, food, or contact with the dog’s body, they cause the immune system to produce a protein to IgE. This protein is then in the cells as a “tissue mast cells,” are in the skin. When IgE lays on these mast cells, so that the release of various irritating chemicals like histamine. In dogs, the chemical reactions and cell types in significant amounts only in the skin.

Genetic factors influence allergies and time

Remember that dogs must be exposed to the allergens for some time before the allergy. Exceptions may occur, such as an allergy to insect bites, which can be after only a few exposures. The dog must learn the body to react to the allergen. It is a phenomenon learned of the immune system, are genetically programmed and from generation to generation in different races. Allergies are especially common in certain how the Scottish Terrier, West Highland White, Cairn and Wire Haired Fox; Lhasa Apso; And major races such as the English and Irish Setters, Retrievers, and the Dalmatian. Allergies are also well documented in the Pug, Miniature Schnauzer, and English Bulldog.

In pets, allergies usually begin to develop between one and three years. It can be as late at the age of six or eight, but more than 80% early start. To even worse, as the animal ages, it is usually to further develop allergies, and the reaction to an allergen is heavier.

Diagnosis of allergies
Faced with a pet scratching and frustrated owners, it is too easy for a veterinarian to miss a diagnosis, or at least not to the owners fully understand the problem. Sometimes veterinarians, the easy way, and “shotgun” the animals with various drugs, in the hope that at least one will be on the target is hit, and the signs away. If the pet keeps scratching, the hair begins to grow, and the owner of nights sleep can see everything, but that’s not necessarily Allergy healed.

Most allergies are the kind of inhaled and are seasonal (at least at first). The dog may be allergic to a particular tree pollen, which only in the environment for three weeks of the year. This case is easy to handle. No matter what you deal with the animal, it is always better in four weeks. In cases where the allergy is mild, but the irritated skin has been infected with bacteria, a broad spectrum antibiotic, the infected organism, and the skin back in the vicinity of normal phenomenon, even if the treatment is in no way directed according to the allergy.

A definitive diagnosis of allergy and the determination of exactly what the animal is allergic to can be done in two ways:

1st Allergy Test (intradermal or blood tests)
2nd Elimination of things separately from the animal world of the environment, to isolate the perpetrators (the method most often used when food allergies are suspected)

In some cases, it may not be necessary to determine the exact allergen causing the problem. For example, a dog can chew his feet, scratching his sides, and on his face rubbing furniture each year for three weeks during the same month. These are often the signs of a seasonal allergy to ragweed or something like tree pollen. In this case, the veterinarian can either tablets and / or a single injection, the suppression of Allergy for 3-4 weeks if the allergen is in the environment. After a short period of treatment, the animal is back to normal, and has only to wait until the following year, when he or she will return to the veterinarian with the same problem.

So now you know the basics of dog allergies. If you have any more details about the different types of allergies, how to diagnose or treat them, we recommend that you read the other articles in this section. They offer the newest and latest information on this problem very often.

Treatment of Allergies

Avoidance

This can be a very important part of the administration atopy. While it may be impossible to completely eliminate all of the agents, many can be reduced with minimal effort on the part of the owner. For the therapy to avoid a performance, the offending agents must by intradermal skin test. Prevention is rarely a complete treatment itself, but in conjunction with other

Current therapy

Topical therapy consists of shampoos and rinses and current solutions to itching. Topical therapy offers immediate, but short-term relief. I commend Baden atopic dogs at least once every two weeks with a hypoallergenic shampoo or colloidal oatmeal shampoo. Hydrocortisone shampoos may also be used. Every week or even twice a week can increase shampoos relief for some dogs.

Current solutions with hydrocortisone offer some relief. They are the most practical in the treatment of localized itching. Creams and ointments are often on the feet and between the toes and sprays are on the abdomen, or in other areas with less hair. These products are very bad in the bloodstream up, and when used in moderation, no long-term adverse effects or problems associated with oral or injectable steroids. In addition, cooling salves and lotions can also be used. Must be ensured with them to ensure that they are not too greasy coat. Dogs tend to lick off those preparations. After the application of these preparations, it is the dog, which in some activities to prevent him from licking the treated surface.

Fatty acids

Boston terrier licking pawFatty acids have been recommended for years to improve the quality and coat shine. Recently, new research has shown that certain fatty acids, Omega-3 fatty acids are also very useful in the treatment of allergy in dogs and cats. Omega-3 fatty acids in the skin to help, the level and the effects of histamine and other chemicals, in response to allergies. Not every pet allergic reaction to Omega-3 fatty acids. Some animals show improvements, the others have a complete healing, and others show no change after it on the Omega-3 fatty acids. Most animals must be on the omega-3 fatty acids a day for several weeks and months to notice substantial improvement. Omega-3 atty acids are very safe and have very few side effects. Studies show that, if omega-3 fatty acids are used in combination with other therapies, such as antihistamines, the use of steroids can be reduced or discontinued. Make sure you have a Omega-3 fatty acid supplement derived from fish oil. Other types of fatty acids (such as omega-6 fatty acids) may actually some allergies worse. Often it is best to the Omega-3 fatty acid supplements in conjunction with a low-fat diet.
Biotin

Biotin is one of the B vitamins. Various studies have shown that the dogs suffer from dry skin, seborrhea, and dry, itchy skin severely allergic to be improved if supplemented daily with biotin. Biotin is often used in combination with fatty acids in the treatment of dogs with allergies. Biotin is very safe and there are no side effects or toxicity. Biotin can you as an additional powder only biotin, or as a supplement, such as brewers yeast, the other ingredients.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are often used in human and animal medical fields. Most of the antihistamines used in veterinary medicine are antihistamines, and especially for the people. Antihistamines have proven to be effective in the control of allergies in up to 30% of dogs and 70% of cats. As part of a treatment plan, including fatty acids and avoidance, the percentage of respondents is much higher.

Each animal reacts differently to the different antihistamines. Therefore, different antihistamines may have to be used before an effective one is found. Antihistamine Everyone has a different dose and risk of adverse effects. Antihistamines should veterinary advice. Some common side effects are sedation, hyperactivity, constipation, dry mouth, and inappetence. The right antihistamine, in the proper dose should not cause undesirable side effects. For severely itchy dogs, mild sedation can be a positive and desired side effect.

Antihistamines come in a variety of forms, including H1 and H2 blocker. While the H2 blockers (Claritin, Seldane and Hismanal) have proven to be very effective in the treatment of human allergies, they have not been shown to be effective in the treatment of allergies dog or cat, and are therefore not recommended for pets. There are many different H1 antihistamines on the market, but animal medicines is usually on the following.