Dog Skin Problems Caused By Canine Allergic Reactions
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Dogs have allergies just as their owners do. They may be allergic to certain foods, pollens, grass, weeds, molds or dust mites in their environment. The many shampoos and sprays commercials sold that advertise itch relief may be useful short term but the relief seldom lasts for more than a few hours. The itch quickly returns because the dog is still being exposed to the allergen.
Grass pollen and dust mites are the cause of atopic dermatitis which is an allergy to inhaled substances in the environment. Atopic dermatitis affects up to 10% of all dogs. Atopica is a medication often prescribed to relieve the symptoms of paw licking and chewing and the reddened tender skin and fur loss that develops from the licking. The itching from atopy can become so severe it interferes with the dog’s sleep. Atopica does not cause drowsiness as antihistamines will nor does it contain corticosteroids which can be harmful with long term use.
If your dog seems to be scratching his back and chewing the inside of his back legs he may be suffering from flea allergy dermatitis. The allergy is not to the flea itself but to the saliva release by fleas when they bite your dog. For dogs with flea allergy dermatitis it is not enough to kill the adult fleas on the dog but you must prevent new fleas from hatching and biting.
A corticosteroid that may be prescribed by your vet to treat skin inflammation is Triamcinolone (the generic name of the drug). Sold by brand names such as Cortalone, Vetalog or TriAcet, this pet med provides fast relief for itching dogs and must be administered exactly as prescribed.
If your dog has food allergies the result will most often be itching in the anal area. It is estimated that one-third of dogs with symptoms of food allergies are less than one year old. However, food allergy dermatitis can appear at any age and may become a problem even in a dog that has eaten the same brand of dog food for months or years. When canines suffer from a food allergy itching in the anal region may be accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea, skin rash and flatulence. Your veterinarian can test your dog to eliminate environmental causes of the allergy and determine if secondary allergic reactions are also a problem.
Dexomethasone is commonly prescribed by veterinarians as a treatment for dog allergies. It may be administered by injection, topically or inhaled. The topic treatment of Dexomethasone may also include an antifungal, antibacterial or miticide to treat the problem skin. Side effects are common with this drug and should be reported quickly to your vet.
Used sparingly, corticosteroids can be life saving for your dog and will ease the symptoms caused by canine allergic reactions very quickly. Taken as a pill every other day, this pet medicine acts by depressing the body’s immune system. Corticosteroids are often the solution for owners of pets with seasonal allergies.
For dogs that require longer term treatment for airborne allergies, Temaril-P may be prescribed by your vet. This anti-inflammatory drug contains a low dose of prednisone and can be taken over longer terms with less risk of side effects than found with full dose corticosteroid drugs. Temeril-P reduces the dog’s need to scratch which prevents sore or bare areas from developing. It is also often used to treat kennel cough or asthma like symptoms caused by canine allergies. You may not be able to eliminate the allergens from your dog’s environment but there is a wide range of medications designed to ease or eliminate the symptoms of canine allergies.
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