Does My Dog Have Allergies
Dogs and Allergies
When an allergy happens, it is an extreme and unnecessary reaction to some harmless substance by the immune system. Allergic reactions, primarily to foods and chemicals, have been called a 20th-century phenomenon. We will be taking a look at how this allergy phenomenon displays itself in our dogs today.
Canine Allergies
What Do Allergies Look Like in Dogs
Allergic reactions can appear on a dog's skin, making him itchy; in the lining of the gastrointestinal system, causing dogs to vomit and have diarrhea; or on the lining of the air ways, bringing breathing difficulties.
What Is a Canine Allergy
Whether talking about humans or dogs, the term "allergy" was coined in early 1906, by Baron Clemens von Pirquet—a Viennese pediatrician. Allergies happen when the body's immune system gets in an agitated state and over-responds to a harmless substance as if it were a dangerous substance attacking the body. Any number of canine conditions can be caused by allergies; eczema, diarrhea, colitis, vomiting, dermatitis, and coughing to name a few.
What Can Activate an Allergic Reaction in My Dog
Here is a list naming just a few things that can set your canine's immune system into a state of allergic reaction.
- Chemicals found in bug bites (like the stuff in flea saliva)
- Particular foods
- Particular drugs
- Particular plants
- Dust mites
- Plant pollens
- Spores from fungus
- Human dander (skin cells we shed)
What You Think Really Does Matter
Do you think your dog may have allergies?
Are Allergies Increasing in Dogs
A relatively new affliction, hay fever, doesn't get mentioned in medical literature until the 1800s (during a lecture at the Royal Society in London). The condition remained very rare up until 1950. To give you an idea as to just how rare, at that time in Japan, those number of people who suffered from hay fever measured around 1% of the population. Currently, over 12% are dealing with the issue. In Australia, more than 30% of the (human) population have allergies. An increase in allergic populations has also been noticed in our dogs.
Treatments for Allergic Dogs
As expected, staying away from the things that cause an allergic reaction in your dog is the best method of treating (preventing) the condition from reeking havoc. Many veterinarians will conduct history test like blood samples, skin reaction grids, protein reduced diets, elimination diets, and in extreme cases the dog will be removed form the allergy activating environment. This is simply to try to "switch-off" the reaction at the source. Even as several chemicals can get released when mast cells blow-up, only histamine is effectively treatable, using "anti-histamines".
What Does the IgE (immunoglobin E) Antibody Have to do With Allergies
IgE Antibody and My Dog
Viruses, or other pathogens, are usually going to trigger the immune system into making helpful antibodies to fight them off. When allergens are inhaled, swallowed, or make contact with the body, they irritate the immune system mistakenly, causing it to make an antibody known as immunoglobin E, (IgE). When your dog is allergic, the IgE will bind to receptor sites on specifically specialized immune cells known as mast cells—these live in upper air paths, lungs, stomach lining, and skin. The mast cells are like tiny chemical filled grenades waiting to explode. The IgE causes these chemical grenades to let-lose their chemicals, which then spread out inflammatory compounds like histamines. It only takes around eight minutes for the reaction to activate.
Will Shampooing My Dog Help With Allergies
If a dog has allergies a great deal of the time, shampooing regularly can provide relief. Dogs with a rough coat are more apt to capture allergens, like mold spores, which attack the skin. Vets will also suggests giving an high-dose of essential fatty acid (EFA) supplements. The EFAs have been found to act at the cellular level, reducing the size of the explosions by mast-cells.
Dog Allergy Treatment at Home
Related Allergy Awareness Chart
IF YOU'RE ALLERGIC TO THESE...
| YOU MAY ALSO REACT TO THESE
| PERCENTAGE OF RISK
|
|---|---|---|
Legume (Peanut)
| Lentils, peas, beans (other legumes)
| 5%
|
Fish (sole)
| Salmon, swordfish (other fish)
| 50%
|
Shellfish (crab)
| Shrimp, lobster (other shellfish)
| 75%
|
Tree nut (Brazil)
| Walnut, cashew, hazelnut (other tree nuts)
| 38%
|
Grain (wheat)
| Barley, rye (other grains)
| 20%
|
Cow's milk
| Mare's milk
| 4%
|
Cow's milk
| Beef
| 10%
|
Cow's milk
| Goat's milk
| 92%
|
Mellon (cantaloupe)
| Watermellon, banana, avocado
| 92%
|
Pollen (ragweed, birch)
| Apple, peach, honeydew
| 55%
|
Peach
| Apple, plum, cherry, pear (other rosaceae)
| 55%
|
Fruits (kiwi, banana, avocado)
| Latex (gloves or other products)
| 11%
|
Latex
| Kiwi, banana, avocado (fruit)
| 35%
|
Natural Treatments For Your Dog
- Groom Your Dog, The Natural Way
Learn about the toxic overload your dog may be encountering, and how to make your own 2-ingredient natural dog shampoo, rinse, and conditioner. Tips on the best methods to keep your clean and healthy! - How to Treat Your Dog's Ear Mites Naturally
Looking for a thorough look at natural treatments for your dog's ear mite problem? Well, you are in the right place! Easy to follow directions and formulas for a natural approach to ear care in dogs.
How to Deal With Canine Allergies
If you think your dog is suffering from allergies, a vet can help determine what is attacking your pet. No matter if the allergy effects skin, breathing, or the digestive system, finding the right treatment is a must! Check with a pet allergy specialist if your dog shows signs of severe reactions. The cause, as well as the remedy for your dog's allergy problem may be as simple as changing his bedding!
