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An allergy is an unexpected reaction
to an allergen or antigen. Any substance in the environment can
act as an allergen though dogs mostly react to:
Plant pollens -
Grasses, trees, flowers, and shrubs
Moulds (microscopic
plant-like organisms) - Fungi, dead trees, mushrooms, leaves,
soil
Food ingredients – Proteins
sources such as Beef, Lamb or Chicken
Preservatives – Found
in commercial dog food and human grade food
Dyes – Found
in food, toys and clothing
Medicines and vaccinations (chemical
allergies)
House dust mites
Fleas – the
dog is allergic to the flea saliva
Allergens may be inhaled or ingested
or even absorbed through the skin and paws.
Symptoms:
Symptoms may include scratching, rubbing
the face, chewing on the paws or the body and excessive licking.
The dog is restless, paces and whines. If the dog has reacted
to a substance in the food it may vomit and/or develop diarrhoea.
Any form of allergen may cause skin problems, poor coat condition
and ear inflammations.
Skin may become greasy and have a strong odour. The more the
dog scratches the greater the risk of infection. The owner may
notice excessive hair loss and bald patches appearing. The dog
will groom itself constantly. The areas most affected are the
rear legs and abdomen. Signs to look out for are wet areas on
the dog and saliva stained areas.
The dog may also scratch frantically at its ears. The ears become
red and inflamed often leading to a deeper infection. The ears
may smell unpleasant and produce a waxy like substance.
Food allergy symptoms may also include the above and flatulence
and head shaking. If dogs have gastrointestinal upsets as well
as skin problems it usually indicates a food allergy. |
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