What Do I Need to Know About Allergies in Dogs? By Kelly Marshall At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

We all know about people who are allergic to dogs, but what happens when it turns out that your dog is the one who is allergic? The truth of the matter is that dogs can have allergies just the way that people do and that if your dog has one, it can make them miserable. When your dog is allergic to something, one way he might show it is with hives, which are often known as urticaria. He might also evidence it in a swollen face, which is called angioederm. These signs all point towards your dog having an allergic reaction, though the cause might vary from chemicals, to food to something as innocuous as sunlight!

How can you tell if your dog has an allergy? Hives are one important sign, but because your dog might be rather shaggy, it can be hard to tell for sure. Take some time and examine your dog closely. Hives will manifest as small bump on the skin, and they will often have hair growing over them, making them harder still to see. You might also see that dogs with hives tend to scratch themselves more often than usual. Some dogs are going to have hives that are so itchy that they will scratch until the bleed.

Slightly easier is going to be anigioedema, the swollen face. When you suspect that your dog has an allergy, look for swelling that is occurring around the muzzle and around the eyes. The swelling can be so severe that your dog might have trouble actually opening his eyes. A swollen face will typically result in itching, so if your dog is constantly pawing his face, it is a good sign that something is wrong. In very severe cases, the swelling can occur in the throat, making it hard for your dog to eat or even breathe; this is more common with food allergies.

When you have a dog that has allergies, you should take him to the vet and see what might be done. Remember that hives and swelling can occur within about fifteen minutes of the exposure to the allergen and that if you notice that your dog breaks out right after you feed him, you might have the culprit right there. On the other hand, many dogs end up having an allergy to certain medications or treatments. Remember that a reaction to medication should be reported to a veterinarian right away. When you take him to the vet, though, you will be able to find out precisely what the allergen might be and what you can do about it.

For immediate relief, the vet will likely prescribe antihistamines, though if the issue is very severe, steroids are going to be recommended instead. If your dog is having problems getting his breath, the vet might immediately administer epinephrine.

When you are learning about how to keep your dog healthy and happy, you will find that you need to consider the possibilities of allergies. The more you know about your dog's health, the better, so stay on top of things, and observe your dog carefully if he is acting in a strange fashion.

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