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Archive for the ‘Dog Skin Allergies’ Category
As an advocate of preventative care, here is one more reminder! fall is quickly approaching and many pet owner’s simply forget or think that their dog no longer needs their flea treatment. Prematurely stopping this treatment can cause many potential problems including dog itchy skin!
Flea treatment should continue well into fall – at least until your areas first frost - and possibly all year depending on your location in the country. Please keep in mind that most dog itchy skin is not caused by flea bites, so be sure to accurately diagnose your pet’s underlying skin problem prior to treatment.
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If you’re worried your dog may be experiencing dog dermatitis, be sure that you have all of the facts straight on the matter. There is much confusion on the difference between dog dermatitis and other dog skin problems.
Dog dermatitis is ofter used as a general term for dog skin problems and conditions. It is more clinically known as a historic sensitivity prone to certain breeds.
As a dog owner, you are probably aware of the possibility of your canine friend running off, getting into something gross, contracting fleas or another parasite, or even becoming ill. A dog may show signs of a health problem through its coat and skin.
Because so many different underlying causes exist, it is difficult to diagnose many dog skin problems for certain. Fleas may be obvious, but a nutrition deficiency may have the same symptoms as the underlying cause for seasonal hot spots.
Despite being a loving and caring pet owner, one who always takes preventative measures when it comes to their dog’s health and well-being, it’s impossible to prevent everything.
Proper and regular dog skin care will certainly point you in the right direction of preventing problems. However, more importantly sometimes, regular skin care such as grooming, will provide you with a first-hand knowledge of when something might be wrong. The quicker you detect a potential problem the better chance your dog has for a quick diagnosis and treatment.
Is your dog constantly scratching, licking, chewing or rubbing? Does he have dry skin, red irritated patches of skin or even open sores?
Since dog dermatitis is basically a general term for skin and coat problems or “hot spots” appearing for unknown or even various causes, finding specific information may seem like a daunting task. You will really have to narrow down symptoms and behaviors to even get started on a proper diagnosis.
Jenna is an English Bulldog who’s vet couldn’t seem to find a reason for her “seasonal” hot spots. Jenna would loose hair in certain spots along her tummy. They were always small patches and seemed to get better but then would come back again. However, after two years of this, they stopped going away. Eventually Jenna had lost most of the hair on her tummy and under her armpits. It just wouldn’t come back no matter what type of expensive medications the vet would put her on.
If dog hot spots are noticed and seem to come and go, even seasonally, then it is most likely a more serious problem then you may realize. To be honest, Jenna was never actually “diagnosed”. However, a combination of skin treatment cream and food supplement was used for a few months. Slowly, Jenna’s hair is returning. Take note that hot spots are more common in certain breeds of dogs then others. Bulldogs are just one of these breeds.
Does your dog have allergies? The telltale signs for humans are sneezing, runny eyes/nose and headaches or dizziness. However, when it comes to our canine companions, signs (or symptoms) aren’t quite the same. Their skin and coat is where you will find signs of an allergic reaction. That is why dog allergies are often referred to as dog skin allergies.
Causes for dog allergies can be the same as in humans, though these are not the most common ones. A flea allergy, an allergic reaction to flea saliva, is the most common type of dog allergy. Since it is the saliva that is the allergen it only takes one flea to cause your dog lots of irritation.
Common Food Allergens Cause Dog Skin Conditions
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
posted by Essential Needs @ 11:40 AM
It may or may not come as a shock to you that certain dog skin conditions are caused by your pets food. There are two reasons for this: One is a hypersensitivity that your dog has or has developed to it’s food or a food ingredient. This is one of the most common types of allergy in a dog. The other is caused by a lack of proper nutrients in your dog’s food.
As far as dog skin conditions caused by an allergic reaction to an ingredient? The most common culprits are corn, wheat, soy or yeast, which is the main ingredients in many pet foods today.
Dog skin allergies or dog skin problems because of allergies? Dog skin allergies may be from contact allergens such as wool, rubber, metal, antibiotics, fragrances, lotions or fabric softner.
A contact allergy is the least common type of allergy your dog may have or develop. If your dog’s skin is showing symptoms of having an allergy, be sure to rule out each possibility one at a time.
Many dog skin problems take a while to surface but it always seems like it happened over night once you notice them. Some do surface more quickly than others, but it depends on the severity of the cause and how much hair your pup has.
For instance dog skin problems with excessive hair loss as a symptom may be noticeable to someone aware of it but other pet owner’s may not realize it until the dog has a bald spot. It is a good idea to regularly check your dog over. This is best done daily or at least weekly and should be done prior to bathing or brushing. Your dog may become frightened or hurt worse if water or a comb were to hit any soft areas, hot spots or open sores.