Dog Allergies: Types, Symptoms, Causes, & Treatments5 Types of Dog Allergies, Symptoms, & TreatmentsIs your Miniature Schnauzer suffering from dog allergies? Is your dog constantly scratching, chewing and licking her paws, rubbing her face, and shaking and scratching at her ears? If so, then most likely your Schnauzer is suffering with some type of allergy and must be just miserable. Here are the 5 types of dog allergies that your Miniature Schnauzer might be suffering from: Each one will cause different symptoms in your Miniature Schnauzer from scratching, chewing, and licking to vomiting and diarrhea. Let's explore each one further and the treatment options available: Dog Food AllergiesMany dogs are allergic to certain ingredients including chicken, beef, fish, eggs, pork, turkey, milk, corn, wheat, whey, preservatives, and others, which cause them to suffer an allergic reaction. The good news is food allergies are the easiest to treat. dog health tip: One reason many people overlook their dog's food as the culprit, is because they are still feeding the same food, as before the allergic symptoms began. But allergies can develop overtime, so don't rule out your dog's food as the culprit. In order to determine if your Miniature Schnauzer dog is suffering from a food allergy, you will need to put your Schnauzer on a special diet for a month or two (talk with your Vet). If during this 'trial diet' your Miniature Schnauzer's symptoms improve, you know there is some ingredient in your Schnauzer's dog food causing the allergic reactions.
Dog Flea AllergyIt is not uncommon for dogs to have a flea allergy. And the reaction is from the flea's saliva, not the flea itself. Most dogs have some type of reaction from flea bites but they are just minor. However, if your Schnauzer has a severe reaction the itching will be so intense that your dog may scratch and chew on himself causing sores and hair loss. In order to prevent this from happening to your Schnauzer, strict flea control is necessary. But be cautious about what type of flea medication you use on your Miniature Schnauzer, as many have been linked to more severe side effects, including hair loss, seizures and even death. Ask your veterinarian which flea medication would be best to use on your dog.
Dog Bacterial AllergiesDid you know it is normal for a dog's skin to have Staphylococcus (Staph) bacteria? This bacteria usually causes no problem for the dog with a strong immune system. But if a dog's immune system is weakened it may develop an allergic reaction to this bacteria. If this occurs, your Schnauzer may begin to suffer with patches of hair loss, similar to ringworm. The skin may also emit an unpleasant odor. A blood test can determine if your Miniature Schnauzer suffers from this type of allergy, and then antibiotics will be used to treat it.
Dog Inhalant AllergiesThe most common of the dog allergies is the inhalant type. It is caused by inhalant allergens from environmental factors such as dust mites, molds, mildew, pollen, etc... (also known as Atopy). Your Miniature Schnauzer's Veterinarian can perform an intradermal skin test to determine which antigens are causing your Miniature Schnauzer's reactions. Itching is the most common symptom of a dog suffering with an inhalant allergy. Treatment options for atopy (depending on the cause) include frequent baths with medicated or hypoallergenic shampoos, allergy shots, steroids (cortisone), antihistamines, and adding fatty acids to your Miniature Schnauzer's diet.
Dog Contact AllergiesThe least common among of the dog allergies is the contact allergy. It occurs when your dog comes into contact with certain objects that cause an allergic reaction. The item(s) could be anything from plastic food bowls, flea collars, fabrics from clothing, dog toys, bedding, carpet, etc... Redness, itching and swelling occur when your Miniature Schnauzer dog comes into contact with certain items. Treatment is easy enough for this dog allergy..... simply remove the item from your Miniature Schnauzer dog's environment. But that is more easily said than done. Since your dog can't tell you what's causing the reaction, you will have to try and determine that on your own. Try keeping a journal of your dog's activities. This way when you see your Schnauzer start to scratch excessively you will know what she was doing just prior to the reaction. A bit of detective work on your part will help figure out what item(s) are the culprits.
Dog Allergy SymptomsThere are many different symptoms or reactions dogs have with dog allergies. Below is is a list of some (not all) of the symptoms your Miniature Schnauzer dog may have when an allergen is present:
Dog allergies are treatable. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian to determine the proper diagnosis and treatment for your dog. Be sure to check out the natural treatments veterinarian Dr. Jones offers us for treating dogs with allergies. "Knowledge Share"... If you found this article helpful and informative please share it with your dog-loving friends by clicking on one of the share links at the top right or bottom of this page.
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