How To Identify Allergies In A Dog
There are many conditions which can make a dog itch or sneeze, including autoimmune. endocrine, infectious, and parasitic skin diseases. Therefore, it takes some detective work to identify the cause.
If allergies are thought to be the cause, the first thing a veterinarian will usually ask is if the pet is on a flea-control product. Flea allergies are the most common type of allergies and are the easiest to control. Dog owners have many options for flea control on dogs and in their environment.
Once flea allergies are ruled out, food allergies are the next thing to be checked. Food allergies are not seasonal, whereas many atopic allergies start out as a seasonal problem.
Dogs that develop atopic allergies typically show symptoms when they are 5 years of age, but food allergies can be a problem at any time. They are high up on the list of suspects when a dog first exhibits itchy skin at an age of over 5 years, or less than 6 months.
When testing for food allergies, the dog is put on an “elimination diet” for at least 10 weeks. This means it is fed food that consists of a protein and carbohydrate that the dog has not eaten before, such as venison, duck, and potatoes.
These special foods, which come in packets or cans like normal dog food, may be found in retail stores. Or, the owner may choose to feed the dog a homemade diet of foods based on recommendations from the veterinarian.
Should the dog’s itching subside by at least half, the allergen is considered to be one or more food ingredients. For confirmation, the owner can reintroduce the regular diet to see if the symptoms worsen again.
To check for atopic and contact allergies, veterinarians use an intradermal allergy test (also known as a skin reaction test). The dog is mildly sedated, a small area on the side of it is shaved, and small amounts of potential allergens are injected into the skin. Should the dog be allergic to a particular substance, the skin will become inflamed at the area of the injection.
Next : How Do You Know If Your Dog Has Food Allergies?
