Monday, July 19, 2010

Dog Skin Problems Caused By Canine Allergic Reactions

By D. Thurmond, D.V.M.

Many over the counter dog shampoos and sprays advertise itch-relieving properties but if your dog is suffering from canine allergic reactions that relief will last only a few hours at best. Dogs can be allergic to dust mites, pollen of grass, weed or trees, to mold or to food they eat. Skin problems are the common result of allergic reactions in dogs.

Dust mites, grass and tree pollen are airborne particles that cause atopic dermatitis in dogs. This allergy affects about 10% of all dogs and is not an insignificant problem for dog owners. Dogs may lick the paws constantly and chew on their skin until it is tender and red. Fur loss is common from this itch that is so persistent it interferes with the dog's sleep. Atopica is a medication proven quite effective in treating airborne allergies in dogs. Atopica does not cause your dog to become drowsy and has no steroids than can have long term side effects.

A dog that scratches his back and chews on the inside of his legs is likely suffering from flea allergy dermatitis. Any time a flea bites your dog, he releases a minute amount of saliva. It is the saliva that causes the allergic reaction. It is necessary to kill not only the adult fleas on your animals but also to use a dog flea treatment that will break the flea life cycle as even a few flea bites can cause a big skin reaction for a dog with an allergy to fleas.

A corticosteroid treatment for allergies must be carefully administered by the pet owner. This is an excellent treatment for allergic disorders but it is crucial not to stop the medication without a gradual withdrawal from the meds over a period of several days. The most common generic prescription is Triamcinolone which may be prescribed by your vet as brands such as Vetalog, TriAcet or Cortalone.

Food allergies will often cause itching in the anal area on a dog. About a third of all dogs with food allergies are less than a year old. Anal itching may be accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting. Skin rashes and flatulence may also be present and the food allergy can occur even with pet food the dog has eaten for weeks or months without any problems. For a dog with suspected food allergies, your veterinarian will do testing to be certain there are not also environmental allergies that must be treated as a secondary condition.

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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