Canine Allergies – Relief For Your Dog’s Itchy, Irritated Skin
Canine allergies are responsible for much of the chewing and itching of dogs everywhere. Just like people, dogs may be allergic to food ingredients, to pollens of grass, weeds and trees or to mold and dust mites in their environment. Although there are many shampoos and sprays advertised to stop skin itching of dogs, these commercial products have limited effectiveness. They may provide some short term relief but if the source of the allergen is still present, the itch will quickly return.
Atopic dermatitis is an environmental allergy that is quite similar to human allergies. Dust mites, grass and tree pollen and other airborne particles are the cause of atopic dermatitis that affects almost 10% of dogs. Symptoms of atopic dermatitis are paw licking and chewing, paws that appear reddened and tender, fur loss and an itch so persistent it interferes with the dog's sleep. An effective medication is Atopica which can safely be used long term. Atopica does not contain steroids or cause drowsiness in the dog.
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.
Triamcinolone is often prescribed by vets to treat inflammation and allergic disorders. This is a corticosteroid and must be administered exactly as prescribed. When giving corticosteroids it is crucial not to stop the medication without a gradual reduction in the dosage. Triamcinolone is the generic name of the medication and may be prescribed as one of several brands such as Cortalone, Vetalog or TriAcet.
Itching in the anal area is a sign of food allergies in your pet. Food allergies are most often seen in dogs less than one year old but can appear at any age. Your dog may become allergic to a food he has eaten for months or even years. Anal itching may be accompanied by a rash, vomiting or diarrhea and flatulence is another unpleasant symptom of food allergies. Environmental causes of the allergic reaction will be eliminated your vet to make certain there are no secondary allergies to be treated.
Dexamethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid that can have beneficial effects but also may cause negative side effects. Dexamethasone is commonly used in veterinary medicine and is given by injection, inhalation or topically. When used as a topical treatment the solution may also include a miticide, antifungal or antibacterial to treat skin problems.
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.
Longer term treatment for year round inhalation allergic reactions is offered by Temaril-P and may be prescribed by your vet. The anti-inflammatory properties of the drug are low dose prednisone and can be safely administered over longer terms without the risk of serious side effects of full dose steroid pet meds. Temaril-P is useful in treating kennel cough and asthma caused by dog allergies. Working with your vet to find the best pet medicine to relieve your dog's allergic reaction can ease the discomfort of your pet even if you cannot remove the allergen from the environment.
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