Dog Allergies

Recognizing Canine Cystitis

2010-07-14T15:40:00.000-07:00

You may have never heard of canine cystitis. You may have no idea what this medical condition is and how it can and will effect your dog. There is a good reason why this common dog health problem is so unheard of. It is usually confused or misdiagnosed as a simple bladder infection. It really isn't surprising as the symptoms that are associated with canine cystitis are almost identical to a UTI, urinary tract infection. In fact the only way to tell the difference between the two id through a series of blood test coupled with urine test. The reason why it is so important to distinguish whether your dog has a simple bladder infection or canine cystitis is because the causes of canine cystitis may be much more detrimental to your pets well being if left untreated.

Canine cystitis is a sever infection in a dogs bladder that can causes the infected animal unimaginable pain and discomfort. The most common reason why this infection begins is bacteria. This dangerous bacteria makes it way through the urethra and into the bladder where it causes its damage. This is especially common in female dogs as their urethra is considerably shorter than their male counterparts. Although this is the most common cause of cystitis, it is not the only cause. There to more slightly less common causes for the health issue. These causes are much more dangerous and important to catch early. Some of the more serious causes of canine cystitis are bladder cancer/tumors, calcium covered bladder stones, and small pockets in the bladder that unhealthily collect urine, a medical condition called Diverticulum. Although it is much more likely that if your dog has developed canine cystitis that I began because of a bacterial infection, it is still very important to test. This will ensure that if your beloved pet does have a more serious health problem, it can be treated as soon as possible.

As I said before, canine cystitis has very similar symptoms to a common bladder infection but can be much more serious. Here are some questions to ask if you think that your pet may have this disease. Does your dog seem to be in pain when he or she is urinating. Is your pet going more often than usual, or are they going in the house even though they have been housebroken? Does your pet's urine have a terrible strong and unpleasant smell, not that urine smells great to begin with but a more unpleasant smell? Is there any blood in the dog's urine? If you have answered yes to any of these questions you should take your pet to veterinarian immediately. Only a vet will be able to properly diagnose your pet and provide the proper treatment.

Speaking of treatments, if your pet is diagnosed with canine cystitis and it was caused by a common bacterial infection, it can be treated with a few doses of antibiotics. After taking the medicine your pet will be feeling better in no time at all. Now, if the disease was caused by something a bit more serious, you will need to talk to the vet about the best course of action to take in order to ensure your dog has the best chance to recover and stay healthy.

The point of this article was to make you all aware that you should take your pet to a medical professional at the first sign of a health problem because things may not always be as they seem.

What To Do About Dog Food Allergies

2010-01-26T14:27:00.001-08:00

This site discusses all of the allergies that are common with dogs. Aside from allergies that you may assume that dogs can have there is a common allergy that many dog owners are less aware of. Dog food allergies are more common among dogs than you mat think. Dog foods allergies occur when your pets body has an allergic reaction to something that they have eaten and it can manifest itself in many different ways. In this article we will be going over everything that you need to know about dog food allergies and how they can effect your pet. We will discuss some of the signs that you may notice that may mean that your pet is indeed suffering from dog food allergies. How you can really know for sure if your dog has this particular allergy and what you can do about it. You will also learn about certain dog foods that are made for dogs with a sensitivity to certain allergens. We will talk about when you should just switch pet foods and when you may want to see a vet. This article is a smorgasbord of information about everything that you need to know about dog food allergies.

The first thing that you need to do if you think that your pet is suffering from dog food allergies is to make sure that they actually are and that their health issues are not a symptom of another problem. In order to be able to better know exactly what is wrong with your dog you should know some of the more common signs that your dog could be having an allergic reaction to what it is that they are eating. The most common signs that your dog has dog food allergies is abnormally itchy skin. You may notice that your dog is overly scratching themselves, they may be chewing on their limbs to the point that the hair is being gnawed off. A clear sign of an allergic reaction is patches of missing hair and or irritations and soars. This is definitely a sign of an allergic reaction of some kind. This type of symptom will usually be thought of as an other health problem, such as fleas. There is another problem with diagnosing dog food allergies and that is that the most common symptom is the same symptom that would manifest itself with any type of allergic reaction in your dog. For your information there are quite a few articles on this site that discuss different types of dog allergies. So how can you tell exactly what type of allergy your dog is being tormented by? How do you know if your pet has a dog food allergy or is having an allergic reaction to something else? This can prove to be very difficult when the reaction to food is itchiness. Some other, more sever signs of dog food allergies can be vomiting, diarrhea, behavioral changes, dizziness, sneezing and trouble breathing. Those symptoms can also be confused with a cold or other illness. What makes dog food allergies so hard to detect is that they can manifest themselves for no apparent reason. This means that your pet can be eating the same food that they have been for years and suddenly develop an allergic reaction to it, much like humans can.

One of the best ways that you can test and see if your dog has dog food allergies is by using the process of elimination. You first want to make sure that your dog is only eating the proper food. This means no human food or snacks of any kind. Your pet should only be eating their dog food. If you are sure that your dog is only eating what they should be you can now try to test the dog food allergies by trying out a new brand of dog food. It may take some time for the dog food allergies to fade if they are indeed dog food allergies. You can try another name brand dog food to check for any changes. If after a few days your dog is still displaying signs of an allergic reaction, you may want to try yet another brand of dog food. There are specialty dog foods that are specifically made for dogs that have dog food allergies, I will go over a few examples of this type of pet food later on in this post.

After testing to see if your pet has dog food allergies, you will be able to be one step closer to determining what exactly is wrong with them. If after testing different foods your pet is still suffering form their allergic reaction, you can check dog food allergies of the list and you will know that they health problem stems from somewhere else. If after testing different foods your pet seems to be doing better and no longer having the allergic reaction, it is safe to say that you have successfully figured out what was ailing your pet. You will now know that your pet indeed has a high sensitivity to certain dog foods and was indeed suffering from dog food allergies. You now will have to make a choice, will you continue feeding your pet the dog food that he or she seems to be able to eat without suffering from dog allergies or will you try out an all natural, allergen free dog food. The choice is up to you. It is obvious that your pet is able to properly digest the food that you are currently feeding them, although, the same problem may occur later on, as it did with the original brand of pet food. You can also choose to feed your pet an all natural dog food that is made for pets that, like your dog, suffer from dog food allergies. That choice is ultimately up to the pet owner.

If you have decided to feed your pet an all natural, organic type of dog food but are unsure what brands are out there I will list a few popular dog foods that should help your pet steer clear of dog food allergies. Before I give you that allergy free dog food list, I would like to talk about the best thing that you can feed your pet that is very likely to help them avoid any kind of allergic reaction. Many people have decided that they want to begin making their own homemade dog food. This may sound like a lot of work but if you look into it, it really is quite simple. The reason why so many people are choosing to make their own dog food is because it is much healthier for your dog. Dog food can be over processed and often is made of lesser quality ingredients which is the reason why so many pets are being diagnosed with dog food allergies. When you make your own dog food, you will be sure that you have only used good healthy ingredients and therefore know that your dog is getting all the nutrition that they need. If you are interested in some more information on making your own dog food, you can take a look at a site that is devoted to it, a site called Homemade Dog Treats. If making your own pet food just isn't for you but you still want to ensure that your dog doesn't have to live with dog food allergies, you can try and use some higher end pet food that is made to help your pet avoid such allergic reactions. Below is a small list of pet foods that claim to do just that.

Pinnacle Holistic dog food
Flint River Ranch dog food
Natural Balance dog food
Science Diet dog food
Hill's Prescription dog food
Nature's Recipe dog food
Nature's Logic dog food

These are all excellent, all natural, allergen free dog foods that can help your dog live a healthier allergy free life.

Although you may think that you can diagnose your pets problems on your own, it is highly recommended that you take your pet to a health care professional at the first sign of any form of health issues. If your dog is displaying signs of dog food allergies it may actually be a symptom of something that is much more serious and you should take them to a veterinarian immediately. This is especially true if you have tried different pet foods and your dog is still displaying signs of dog food allergies. You vet will be able to more accurately diagnose exactly what is wrong with your dog.

In short dog food allergies are more of a terrible inconvenience than an serious health issue and can usually be taken care of by a quick change in diet. Once you have determined what is causing your pet to have this allergic reaction it should disappear, leaving your dog good as new.

Treating Dog Allergies

2009-10-14T16:10:00.000-07:00

You may not have realized it when you first decided to make a puppy a part of your family but your pet can be effected by dog allergies in the same way that you and I can by our allergies. Unlike you or I you pet doesn't know how to go about treating their dog allergies. They deal with the uncontrollable itching by biting, scratching and licking which will only make the irritation worse. Leaving dog allergies untreated can lead to more sever health problems, such as but not limited to, infections of skin lesions caused by the irritation and constant biting and scratching. This is why it is important to see a veterinarian at the first sign of any health problem in your pet.

There are several different types of dog allergies and each on has a different treatment. Depending on which dog allergy your pet is diagnosed with your veterinarian will determine the proper course of action.

Contact dog allergies are perhaps the most easily treated out of all dog allergies. Contact dogs allergies are caused by in irritation to harmless materials. In order to cure this particular dog allergy you need only keep your pet away from the offending materials.

Flea related dog allergies may be a bit more complicated to eliminate but can still be cured. If your pet is allergic to fleas, he or she always will be. In order to cure you pet of their dog allergies you must rid them and your home of the parasites.

Bacterial dog allergies are caused by a sensitivity to common bacteria found in all animals. This sensitivity is often caused by high levels of stress in your pet. This is one of the only dog allergies that is predominantly curable. Your veterinarian will prescribe a medication to eliminate the dog allergy and once the regiment is finished your pets dog allergies should subside and your pet will return back to normal.

Atopy is very similar to contact dog allergies in the fact that your pet becomes irritated by harmless external substances. The difference is that Atopy is caused by airborne irritants. It can be very hard to keep your dog away from many of these irritants because they are airborne and can be found almost everywhere. There are, however, medications available that can help control your pets dog allergy symptoms. These medicines can be prescribed by your animal health care professional.

Food dog allergies are caused by an allergic reaction to certain ingredients found in your pets dog food. This is another easily remedied dog food allergy. You need only try different brand of dog food and if need be a hypoallergenic brand.

Only a professional can diagnose and treat your pets dog allergies. If your pet begins to show unusual physical symptoms you should take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. For more information on dog allergies, you can read this article.. About Dog Allergies.

Contact Dog Allergies

2009-10-14T15:06:00.000-07:00

Contact dog allergies or allergic contact dermatitis should not be confused with irritant contact dermatitis. The difference between the two is that one is an actual dog allergy and the other is a natural reaction to a common irritant. Common irritants can be poisonous tree sap, poison ivy or poison oak. These irritants are harmful to the skin and the body should naturally attempt to destroy them. Contact dog allergies are caused by natural harmless substances such as wool, rubber, plastic or a number of different materials. The difference is that animals effected by contact dog allergies are effected by these harmless materials because their immune system overreacts and sees them as harmful.

Contact dog allergies differ from the other dog allergies, such as flea related dog allergies, dog food allergies, Atopy and bacterial allergies because it will only effect areas of the body that have come in contact with the disagreeable material. Like Atopy the best treatment for this type of dog allergy is to avoid certain materials that irritate your dog's skin. This can very easily be accomplished.

Contact dog allergies include but are no limited to hair loss, swelling, small blister-like bumps and in sever cases skin ulcers. This can be very similar to other dog allergies and even a more serious medical issue. In order to make sure that you get the proper diagnosis for your pet you should seek the advise of an animal medical professional.

Treating contact dog allergies can be as simple as a trial and error test. Keep your dog away from certain materials until you can figure out which of the material or materials are causing the dog allergies. Once the offending material has been identified be sure to keep your pet away from them. This is all that needs to be done to keep your dog happy and healthy. Remember it is important not to leave dog allergies untreated as they can lead to bigger problems. Untreated skin irritation can lead to skin lesions which can become infected. Make sure to take your pet to a veterinarian at the first sign of any health problems.

If your pet is unfortunate enough to be allergic to several different materials found in pet products, you may have to purchase special hypoallergenic pet supplies in order to ward the dog allergies. This is the only way to ensure that your dog will stay dog allergy free. If you are unsure which dog allergies your pet is suffering from, read this article... About Dog Allergies.

Bacteria Related Dog Allergies

2009-10-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

One of the less common dog allergies is bacterial allergies. Bacterial allergies occur when your pet becomes allergic to harmless bacteria that they are exposed to on a daily basis. Much like other dog allergies, if your dog has bacterial allergies you may notice them constantly scratching themselves. Dogs with bacterial allergies tend to almost constantly rub their face and body on ruff surfaces such as carpet. You may also notice some moderate to considerate hair loss. Animals with bacterial allergies tend to chew and lick their paws to the point that they may be harming themselves, this is all due to an uncontrollable itching sensation. You may also notice some swelling and even sores develop, these sores may also have an unpleasant odor. Animals with dog allergies may also have a runny nose and red, irritated, itch eyes. A more sever symptom of bacteria related dog allergies is chronic ear ear infections.

There is some good news, unlike other dog allergies, bacteria related do allergies can be cured. If your pet is displaying any of the symptoms listed above you should immediately take them to a veterinarian. If your pet is diagnosed with bacteria related dog allergies, the vet will suggest medications to treat the issue. This medication will only be taken for a short period of time after which you pet will return to normal and no longer be effected by dog allergies.

When your pet is suddenly effected by bacteria related dog allergies it is often caused by high levels of stress. The symptoms that come along with the dog allergies will often cause even more stress, making the situation worse. Pets can often sense what their masters are feeling. If they sense that their owner or owners are stressed they themselves may also become very stressed. This may cause a chemical reaction in your pet that can bring on a allergic reaction to certain bacteria.

Unfortunately, not only do all dog allergies, such as flea or food related dog allergies an Atopy, have almost identical symptoms but they can also be symptoms of a more serious condition. In order to ensure your dogs safety and well being you should have them examined by a veterinarian. Only then can you be sure that your pets problem is actually dog allergies. Once diagnosed with dog allergies the vet will instruct you on how to cure or alleviate your pet's physical aliments.

For more information About Dog Allergies, have a look around the site, you will find information on many other types of dog allergies, such as, flea allergies, dog food allergies, Atopy and Contact Dog Allergie s.

Dog Allergies and Atopy

2009-10-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

In previous articles we've discussed dog allergies associated with fleas and food, this article will address atopy, or dog allergies involving airborne allergens. As we've discussed before dog allergies can be just as detrimental to your pet as human allergies are to us.

Atopy in dogs is also known as Atopic Dermatitis. If your pet has dog allergies it is likely they they could be effected by Atopic Dermatitis as it is the second most common dog allergy, next to flea allergies. This type of dog allergy is caused by allergens found in the air.

The biggest problem with determining which dog allergies are effecting your pet is that they all manifest in the same way. Atopic Dermatitis like many of the other dog allergies will show itself through similar symptoms. Itchy, red skin is the most common sign that your pet is hypersensitive and effected by dog allergies.

What exactly is atopy? Atopy occurs when your pets immune system overreacts to harmless allergens found in the air. These dog allergies can cause centralized irritation on a certain part of the animals body or it can cause them to have several effected areas. The most common allergens which cause atopy are as follows: tree pollens, grass and weed pollens, moulds, mildew, and house dust mites. These are the same allergens that effect humans with seasonal allergies.

The dog allergy known as atopy is an inherited, genetic health issue. This means that it doesn't matter what breed or sex your pet is, if their parents had dog allergies, there is a good chance that they will develop dog allergies. These dog allergies will often become evident in your pet between the ages of one and three but may occur later on in life.

The only way to diagnose which dog allergies are effecting your pet is by bringing them to an animal health care professional. The vet can run a blood test to see if the dog allergy effecting your pet is in fact atopy. The blood test will also be able to tell the veterinarian which airborne allergen is irritating your dog.

The best treatment for atopy is to avoid putting your dog in a situation where they would be in contact with the irritants. Many times completely avoiding the allergens that cause dog allergies is impossible, there are anti-inflammatory drugs that can easy your pets discomfort. You should discuss the proper treatment for your pets dog allergies with your veterinarian.

If your pet is displaying unusual behavior or physical traits, you should seek medical attention immediately. Many dog allergy symptoms may be a sign of a more serious health issue. These issues can only be diagnosed by a professional.

If you believe that your pet is suffering from dog allergies but are unsure if atop is the culprit. Find more dog allergy information here.. Flea Allergies … Dog Food Allergies.. Bacteria Related Dog Allergies... Contact Allergies..

Food Related Dog Allergies

2009-10-14T07:20:00.000-07:00

Just like their masters, dogs can suffer with seasonal or other types of allergies. These dog allergies will have just as powerful an impact on your pets happiness and well being as human allergies may have on yours. In previous articles I've discuss various types of dog allergies. Today we will being talking about how animals, like humans, may have allergies to certain types of foods.

Food related dog allergies make up about ten percent of all dog allergies that may effect your pet. This is much less common then flea related dog allergies but can be much more sever and detrimental to your dog's health. Although there is very little information as to why dog allergies occur, we do know that it is due to an antibody reaction that occurs in your pet's intestinal tract. This allergic reaction can lead to stomach irritation, rash and other more serious side effects.

Food allergies effect all breeds and sexes of dogs. These dog allergies will manifest between the ages of five and twelve months. Although dog allergies cause by foods will usually become evident at an earlier age there have been cases of food allergies in older dogs that have had no previous history of the problem.

There is a difference between food allergies and an intolerance to certain foods. If your pet suffers from dog allergies related to certain foods, they will show different signs than if their just did not agree with them. Certain foods may be harder for your pet to digest, this may cause vomiting, diarrhea or upset stomach. This is not to be confused with dog allergies cause by food. Food allergies will appear in the form of a skin irritation or rash.

There are certain ingredients that are used to make dog food which may be responsible for your animals dog allergies. Products like soy, dairy products, chicken, lamb, eggs, fish, corn, wheat, and beef may all be used to make your dog's food and one or more may be responsible for their dog allergies. Every dog is different, while one may be allergic to the beef used in a certain dog food, another may be allergic to the soy.

Some signs of food related dog allergies are skin irritation around the eyes, ears, mouth, stomach and anus. Another symptom that may be a sign of dog allergies is that pets effected by food related dog allergies may have more frequent bowel moments then dogs that aren't. The average dog has a little more than one bowel movement per day. If your pet has three or more it may be a sign of a food related dog allergy.

The symptoms associated with food related dog allergies may be a sign of something more serious. The only way to determine the true cause of your dog's health issues is by bringing them to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.

If your pet is diagnosed with dog allergies that are related to the food that they eat by a professional, the best way to eliminate the allergy is by trying new pet foods until you find one that suits your pet. Your veterinarian may be able to suggest a pet food that is right for your dog.

For more information on dog allergies, like Atopy, Bacterial Allergies or Contact Allergies, you should read About Dog Allergies.

Dog Allergies and Fleas

2009-10-14T07:01:00.000-07:00

The most common of all dog allergies is the allergy to fleas. Fleas feed on your your pets blood and can cause a very irritating rash. The reason why your dog may have such a sever allergy to fleas is due to the parasites saliva. Many dogs are very sensitive to the flea allergen, if so, this allergen can cause a very strong allergic reaction.

Fleas are passed from one animal to the next. Depending on where you lives fleas may only be a seasonal problem as they need a temperature no lower than 65 degrees to survive, although, if your home becomes infested with fleas, they may be able to survive the winter months. An adult flea is smaller than 1/8 of an inch and can be very hard to spot. This can make the summer months a dreaded time for owners of pets that suffer from dog allergies.

A flea bites for a flea will have little to no effect on certain animals, a dog with dog allergies will begin to feel uncomfortable almost immediately. Flea related dog allergies will cause itching, redness and even swelling in the effected area. Your dog will scratch and bite to help alleviate the itch, this can cause hair loss, more sever irritation and even sores. Usually this will occur around the rear end and tail of the animal but can be noticed anywhere on the dogs body.

Dogs with a sever dog allergy to fleas, itching can begin immediately from a single flea bite. As the fleas multiply and being spreading over your pets skin the animals dog allergies will only become more evident and problematic.

Not only can a flea infestation cause sever dog allergies but it can also lead to a flea infestation of your home. Once a professional has determined that your dog is suffering from flea related allergies, you should immediately begin taking steps towards eliminating the parasites from your pet and your home.

It may be very hard to determine if the irritation that your pet is feeling is due to dog allergies to fleas or another skin disorder. Combing your pets hair over a white towel may help you determine if your pets skin problem is to to a flea allergy. While combing your dog check the white towel for small black specs. These specs may very well be flea feces. A fine tooth flea comb can also be used to determine of your pet is indeed effected by flea related do allergies.

How exactly do fleas cause dog allergies? Fleas, like tic and other parasites, live off of their host's blood. When the flea bites your pet for their next blood meal their saliva passes into the dog's skin. This is where dogs with flea related dog allergies will begin to feel discomfort. Aside from the dog allergies the flea itself will cause little to no damage to your pet. The real problems and health risks come from your pet as they scratch and bite the effected areas. Flea related dog allergies can cause your beloved pet metal stress as well as physical irritation.

If your pet is indeed suffering from flea related dog allergies there are many treatments available to prevent irrational, remove the parasites and to keep your pet flea free. Because flea infestations can be hard to diagnose and your pet's dog allergies may not be allergies at all, you should take your pet to an animal health care professional at the first sign of unusual behavior or physical abnormalities.

If your pet suffers from dog allergies, such as, Contact Allergies, food related dog allergies, Atopy or Bacterial Allergies and you are unsure of which type it may be, read this article About Dog Allergies.

About Dog Allergies

2009-10-13T18:13:00.000-07:00

Many people are unaware of this fact but dogs can have allergies just like their human owners. Just like your allergies, dog allergies can be very uncomfortable for your pet. This post will discuss what to look for if you are unsure if your pet has dog allergies. I will discuss different types of dog allergies. We will go over some simple treatments to help control and relief dog allergies.

The most obvious sign that your dog has dog allergies is if they are overly scratching, biting or licking any particular part of their body. This behavior indicates that something is wrong, bothering you pet. If your dog is displaying this type of behavior it may be dog allergies or something far more serious, in order to be sure you should immediately take your pet to a veterinarian. Aside from the obvious signs, lets go over some simple signs that your dog may be suffering from dog allergies. Sneezing or coughing, hair loss, discharge around the eyes or nose, vomiting or diarrhea, trouble breathing, redness around the stomach or inner ear. These are all signs that your pet could be suffering from dog allergies. They could also be a sign of a more significantly dangerous problem. In order to ensure your pets safety and well being, see an animal health care professional immediately.

There are several different types of dog allergies. Here is a list of the types of allergies that your dog may be suffering from: atopy, common food allergies, flea allergies, bacterial allergies or contact allergies. For more information on the different types of dog allergies you can you can use the navigation area to the right of this article.

Dog allergies can only be diagnosed by a professional. As I stated before, all the symptoms associated with dog allergies can also be a sign of a more serious health issue. It is very important that you take you pet to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.

The treatment of dog allergies varies depending on what is causing them. Dog allergy medication can range from a simple flea collar or over the counter medicine to a prescription dog allergy medication. Dog allergies can make you pet very uncomfortable, these allergies can even become painful to your dog. Dog allergies should not be left untreated as they can sometimes lead to more serious health problems. Leaving your pets dog allergies untreated can put a great deal of stress on your dog, this stress is what often leads to other health issues.

It is very important to remember that you can not properly diagnose your pets dog allergies or other health issues. If you pet displays any of the unusual behaviors listed above or otherwise, it is important have them examined by a professional. Taking care of your animals dog allergies will ensure that they lead a happy and healthy life.

Disclaimer

2002-10-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

This site provides information about dog allergies, dog allergy symptom and dog allergy treatment. This site provides articles that are to be used for informational purposes only. Any unusual symptoms displayed by your pet can only be diagnosed by a professional. The writers of this site make no claim to be medical professionals. Only an animal medical professional can diagnose your pet.