Allergies are a common problem for dogs, just like humans. Dogs can suffer from food allergies, environmental allergens such as pollen and dust mites, and even flea bites. Allergies can cause a variety of symptoms for your dogs, including itchy skin, sneezing, coughing, and eye discharge.
Symptoms of Canine Allergies
The most common symptom of allergies for dogs is itchy skin. Dogs can scratch, lick, or chew at their skin to try and relieve the itching. Other symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Eye discharge
Some dogs might have hair loss or bald patches due to excessive scratching or licking.
Diagnosing Canine Allergies
If your dog has any of the above symptoms, it’s important to take them to the vet to be diagnosed. The vet will likely perform a physical exam and could also recommend allergy testing. Allergy testing can help determine what type of allergen is causing a reaction with your dog..
Stages of Canine Allergies
Allergies in dogs can be split into three stages: early, intermediate, and late.
Early Stage
In the early stage, your dog can have mild symptoms like itching or sneezing.
Intermediate Stage
As the allergy progresses to the intermediate stage, more severe symptoms like coughing and eye discharge can occur.
Late Stage
In the late stage, your dog could have hair loss or bald patches due to excessive scratching or licking.
Treating Canine Allergies
Once the allergen has been identified, your vet will recommend a treatment plan. The treatment plan can include medications like antihistamines or corticosteroids to reduce your dog’s inflammation and itching. In some cases, allergy shots could be recommended to help desensitize your dog to the allergen.
Preventing Canine Allergies
The best way to prevent allergies in your dogs is to keep them away from potential allergens. This can include avoiding certain foods, keeping the house clean and free of dust and pollen, and using flea prevention products.
It’s important to keep your dog away from any potential allergens in order to prevent further reactions. It’s also a good idea to keep your dog up-to-date on their vaccinations to help reduce the risk of developing allergies.