Treating and Easing the Symptoms of a Dog's Skin Allergy

There are several measures that dog owners can take to help ease a dog’s skin allergy symptoms. They include:

* Wash the dog using dish soap to remove the irritant. Many chemicals and plants leave a residue or oil on the dog’s skin and coat, resulting in continued exposure to the irritant. Removing the irritating oil or residue from the equation will help ease the symptoms in many cases. Dish soap should be utilized to break-up the oils, which will not be removed by normal shampoos.
* Provide topical relief with anti-histimine and/or hydrocortisone medications. Anti-histimine and hydrocortisone will help to stop the body’s reaction to the allergen that’s affecting the dog’s skin. Hydrocortisone sprays are available at most pet stores, and even at the supermarket’s pet section. For a small area of skin irritation, over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can help reduce the dog’s skin irritation.
* Provide relief with oral medications. In addition to topical treatments, many dogs experiencing a mild or moderate skin allergy will also benefit from a dose of Benadryl, which is typically given every eight hours at a dose of one to two milligrams per each pound of body weight. Benadryl is not among the most potent drugs in canines, therefore, more serious allergies will require prescription oral medications or injections. Pet owners should always check with their veterinarian before giving medications to a dog, especially if the pet is already on a medication.
* Limit exposure to the suspected irritant. If an owner suspects that a particular chemical, food, plant or other item is triggering a dog’s skin allergy, exposure should be limited or eliminated entirely. In the case where the irritant is unknown, systematic periods of limited exposure can help owners to rule out certain items or substances as the cause of the dog’s skin dryness, itching, redness or irritation.
* Provide supplementation. In cases where dryness and flakyness is present, providing dietary supplementation can help the dog's skin to improve, even if the problem is due to another problem like parasites or allergies. Try a commercial coat and skin supplement from the local pet supply store, or try a home remedy involving olive oil. Improve dry skin by soaking a piece of bread in olive oil and serve, or mix a few tablespoons of oil in with the dog's meal.

When Is It an Emergency?

In a small percentage of cases, an allergic reaction can turn deadly, as the dog will experience anaphylactic shock. Contact dermatitis is not typically responsible for triggering a deadly allergic reaction. Most commonly, a deadly allergic reaction in a dog is caused by a medication or vaccination, an insect bite.

Signs that a dog is experiencing an acute systemic reaction to an allergen include swelling of the face and/or paws, difficulty breathing, panting and salivation, vomiting, collapse or loss of consciousness and seizure. If any of these symptoms are present, it’s possible that the dog is experiencing an acute and potentially deadly reaction, therefore anti-histimine medication and immediate veterinary attention will be required.

Read more: http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm/dog_skin_allergy_treatment#ixzz0XJRRUaMT

ok to..

bro salamat s post..

now for example ..nag-shift kayo ng dogfood.. just because your friend, relative or even some pips that you meet in some local pet store suggest you should try that brand..

walang masama mag-try but then do it gradually from 10%, 20%, 30 % 50% and then sa dumating yung time na yun na mismo pinapakain mo..

why do we do it gradually? to avoid/prevent upset stomachs in our dogs that can lead to serious diarrhea..

now for some reasons 2 days you are using that food on your dog and then you saw he/she is scratching excessively, red spots, bald spots, hair thinner,, wag na magdalawang isip pa..STOP giving that food at once!

Hindi lang po sa dogfood ito, some dogs are allergic to chickens, wheat, grain, sawdust not all dogs have the same immune system and not all dogs even if it is the same breed can have the same results...

Treating skin allergy:

Rule number 1. Feed your dog hypoallergenic dogfood.. if you can afford to go premium go ahead good for you..but then budget wise Vitality with Omega Magic Plus or Pro Plan Lamb and Rice

and Rule number 2. Give your dog TLC and time..

simple...

Wag na natin hintayin mamula, mag-tachycardia, hyperventilate dogs natin...
just my 2 cents

you can see a 100% healthy dog in their skin and coat..
super shiny...

take note... it is their coats their number one pride!!!

Chibi28 wrote:

now for example ..nag-shift kayo ng dogfood.. just because your friend, relative or even some pips that you meet in some local pet store suggest you should try that brand..

walang masama mag-try but then do it gradually from 10%, 20%, 30 % 50% and then sa dumating yung time na yun na mismo pinapakain mo..

why do we do it gradually? to avoid/prevent upset stomachs in our dogs that can lead to serious diarrhea..

now for some reasons 2 days you are using that food on your dog and then you saw he/she is scratching excessively, red spots, bald spots, hair thinner,, wag na magdalawang isip pa..STOP giving that food at once!

Hindi lang po sa dogfood ito, some dogs are allergic to chickens, wheat, grain, sawdust not all dogs have the same immune system and not all dogs even if it is the same breed can have the same results...

Treating skin allergy:

Rule number 1. Feed your dog hypoallergenic dogfood.. if you can afford to go premium go ahead good for you..but then budget wise Vitality with Omega Magic Plus or Pro Plan Lamb and Rice

and Rule number 2. Give your dog TLC and time..

simple...

Wag na natin hintayin mamula, mag-tachycardia, hyperventilate dogs natin...
just my 2 cents

i agree bro..

nice one bro chino...

Chibi28 wrote:

you can see a 100% healthy dog in their skin and coat..
super shiny...

take note... it is their coats their number one pride!!!

yan ang sinasabi ko bro. i agree tlga jan. nakikita ang health ng pit s coat nila eh. at ang srap nmn tlga tingnan ng pit pag makintab ang coating. kesa nmn pura mapupulang balat mkikita mo tpos kamot pa ng kamot. diga?

kya tama lang n ingat sa dogfood mga kapatid. sana maabsorb ntin lahat ito kasi tlgang napaka useful nito e.

i agree with you bro..

kapag medyo may nakikita kayong parang red spots sa balat ng dogs nyo try nyo ilagay sila sa medyo malamig na lugar o kaya lagyan nyo ng ice yung balahibo nila kasi sobra init kaya minsan nagkakaredspots o kaya mosquito bites yung iba tapos kinakamot kaya nagkakasugat..

yep thats right...

OLRAK wrote:

kapag medyo may nakikita kayong parang red spots sa balat ng dogs nyo try nyo ilagay sila sa medyo malamig na lugar o kaya lagyan nyo ng ice yung balahibo nila kasi sobra init kaya minsan nagkakaredspots o kaya mosquito bites yung iba tapos kinakamot kaya nagkakasugat..

thanks pangulo..

lagyan ng petrolleum jelly at langis ng niyog...

kung di pa din makuha sa herbal at natural treatment..visit ur friendly Vet so that ma-analyze ng husto ang problema..