Signs Your Pet May Have Serious Allergies
Most people are allergic to things whether they know it or not. Dogs are no different than humans in this respect, as often dogs have allergies to various things. It is much different in the respect that a pet cannot tell you how they are feeling. Allergies can cause the dog to do things that many people might find humorous.
For instance, when a dog has worms they drag their behind on the floor which many find funny. The same goes for allergies which cause dogs to do strange things. The following sections will go over what to look for when finding out whether your pet has allergies.
Looking For Atopy
Atopy is the most common allergy in dogs as well as cats. This allergy is generally seasonal and can come on very suddenly. For example, if pollen in the air is what the pet is allergic to, then the largest impact of seasonal allergies will be in the spring. According to Doctors Foster and Smith, some of the symptoms of these allergies are:
- Chewing at the feet
- Constant licking of the flank (side) and groin area
- Rubbing of the face
- Inflamed ears or recurrent ear infections
- Recurrent hot spots in dogs and pinpoint facial scabbing in cats
- Asthma-like wheezing and respiratory problems (more likely in cats)
Food Allergies
Though being allergic to certain types of food seems like a nightmare for a dog, it is believed that 10 to 15 percent of dogs suffer from food allergies. This can be more difficult to spot as a dog having diarrhea could just be from food intolerance or a sudden change in diet. One of the largest signs that your dog has a food allergy is the increased itching of nearly its entire body. Make sure to check for fleas or bugs before you jump and claim a food allergy though. Many times a pet owner can find a remedy online for the allergy once it is identified. Identifying these allergies should be left up to professionals, and if you aren’t sure where to look or what to do Kuddly.co can connect you directly to vets that can help diagnose your pet in a matter of minutes.
Drug Allergies
Much like their human counterparts, dogs can also be allergic to certain medications and vaccines. The dog can break out into hives much like a person who is having an allergic reaction. Many times the hives can be mitigated by Benadryl but making sure to get the right dosage is very important. Other reactions include a puffy face, redness of the skin, and just general agitation. Since dogs generally aren’t on a lot of medication, pinpointing which medication the dog is allergic to becomes much less difficult. Consult a vet if your dog has severe reactions, as the dog could be in danger. Slowed breathing and collapsing are more severe reactions to drugs.
The key is to look for differences in your dog’s appearance and behavior to see if something could potentially be wrong. The smallest change in behavior could identify a larger problem, so paying attention to your pet is never a bad thing, especially when it comes to their health. Plus your pet will enjoy the extra attention!
