How to Treat a Dog with Allergies

A dog with allergies is experiencing a lot of discomfort and should be treated. The first step towards a proper treatment is to detect if your dog has allergies and to find the factor that is causing the allergies. After this, the vet can establish the best course of treatment.

Finding the Allergen

A dog with allergies will display different symptoms; some will be more severe while others will be lighter. Sneezing, coughing, itchiness, dermatitis or vomiting and diarrhea are just a few symptoms that may indicate that your pet is suffering from allergies. Finding the allergen may be a simple procedure or it may take a few months of testing.

Inhalant allergies may be identified through a blood test or through intradermal testing. Parasites such as fleas or intestinal parasites may be detected through blood and urine or stool samples.

However, to detect contact allergies or food allergies, several trials will be needed; the allergen will be detected through eliminating one possible allergen at a time.

Treatment for Inhalant Allergies

The inhalant allergies are very common in canines. There are several treatment options for inhalant allergies: antihistamines, steroids, allergy shots or natural remedies.

The antihistamines and the steroids can be administered orally and are recommended for short term use, as they may cause serious side effects. However, if the allergies are only present during the spring or fall seasons, these may be efficient treatment options for your pet.

You may also apply a few topical ointments to relieve the skin itchiness.

If the allergies are present all year long, your vet will recommend an immunization cure. The allergen will be administered periodically and in time, the dog should become immune to the allergen and display no or fewer allergy symptoms. However, this treatment may not be effective in all dogs; but you may still try, as this treatment is the only that may offer a complete cure for allergies.

In addition to traditional treatment options, you may also groom your pet and clean his coat daily, as this is another way the allergens can get in the dog’s system.

Natural remedies are also available; these remedies will address the main cause of the allergies and not the symptoms, as traditional drugs do.

Treatment for Contact Allergies

Contact allergies may not be treated, but you may remove the allergens from the dog’s environment and get rid of the problem.

Treatment for Food Allergies

Food allergies should also be treated by eliminating the allergens from the pet’s diet. Prescription food is also available.

In addition, the dog’s immune system should also be strengthened, as allergies are a disease of the immune system.

Treatment for Allergies to Parasites

The allergies to parasites may be treated through eliminating the parasites. Find anti flea solutions or dewormers and meanwhile, your dog may get some steroids or topical ointments containing steroids to relieve the allergy symptoms.

You should also get some preventive measures such as flea collars and periodical dewormers to prevent the recurrence of parasites.

 

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