Dog Allergies

Dog Allergies - Allergens
Allergens cause allergic reactions upon exposure by:

• Inhalation

• Ingestion

• Skin contact.

Allergies - Types of Allergens
There are many kinds of allergens, some of which include the following:

• Chemicals

• Bacteria

• Food

• Fleas

• Pollens

• House Dust

Types of Allergies
As with humans there are lots of different types of allergies that can affect dogs but they can be categorised into the following groups:

• Bacterial allergy

• Food allergy

• Flea allergy

• Contact allergy

• Inhalant allergies aka Atopy

Health Problems - Symptoms of Bacterial Dog Allergies
The most common problem in this instance is Staphylococcus (Staph) bacteria. Canine Allergies relating to Staph bacteria can include the following symptoms:

• Areas of hair loss and skin crusting that look like ringworm

• Lesions

Treatment of Bacterial Dog Allergies
Bacterial Allergies must be treated with antibiotics

Health Problems - Symptoms of Food Allergies
Proteins from chicken, milk, eggs, corn, wheat, soy and especially beef cause this type of problem. Allergies relating to food can include the following symptoms:

• Non-seasonal and excessive scratching

  • Dogs respond poorly to cortisone type medications

• Digestive disorders

• Respiratory distress

Treatment of Food Dog Allergies
Allergies caused by food must be treated by with drawing the offending foodstuff from the dog's diet by process of elimination.

Dog Health Problems - Symptoms of Contact Allergies
Allergies relating to contact with items such as flea collars, plastic feeding bowls, shirts or sweaters and wool bedding and can include the following symptoms:

• Redness

• Swelling

• Itching

• Hair loss

Treatment of Contact Dog Allergies
Contact Allergies are treated by identification and removal of offending items by process of elimination

Dog Health Problems - Symptoms of Inhalant Allergies - Atopy
Inhalant Allergies, Atopy, are caused by dust, mildew, moulds and pollens and can include the following symptoms:

• Excessive scratching

• Coughing

• Sneezing

• Discharge from the eyes

Treatment of Flea Dog Allergies
Flea Allergies must be treated by removing the dog from the source of the fleas and prescribed Corticosteroids.