Mary Allen
Allergies to pollen, mites, and food, for example, affect not only humans but also dogs. As many as 10-15 percent of all dogs are estimated to have some form of allergy.
The pollen season is here and just like us, humans, dogs can also have allergic problems. The most common are mite allergies, but allergies to pollen, mold, and food also occur. Approximately 10-15 percent of all dogs are estimated to have allergies, but this can also vary depending on the breed. The symptoms to be aware of are if the dog gets itching on the face, armpits, paws, or recurrent ear infections. Some dogs may even have watery or itchy eyes.
Intense Itching
– An allergic dog gets more or less intense itching, which can manifest itself in the animal tearing its paws, licking, or nibbling. Allergies in dogs usually start at the age of 1-2 years, but can also start earlier. If you have a younger dog with typical symptoms, you should seek advice from a veterinarian for further investigation, says Rebecka Frey, a veterinarian.
About a third of the dogs that have mite allergies also have some form of food allergy, mainly to proteins. Therefore, it is important to find out if the dog is hypersensitive to its food because otherwise, it is very difficult to get the dog’s itching in order.
Treatments
There are several ways to treat allergies in dogs, but just like in humans, it can not be cured but is a lifelong disease the dog has to live with.
– The earlier a veterinarian can make the diagnosis, the better the prognosis for the treatment. What the treatment looks like is individual, but there are, for example, allergy vaccinations that make the immune system easier to tolerate different substances. The dog can also receive medication that reduces itching and inflammation, says Rebecka Frey.
Those who have an allergic dog often need to spend a little extra time on care such as regular and more thorough cleaning of ears and paws, to give the dog a good quality of life despite his chronic illness.