Many pet parents are not even aware that their dog could be suffering from allergies.
In fact, it can be hard to convince some people that dog allergies even exist.
The main reason is that when dogs are affected with allergies they don't sneeze and sniffle like people do.
Instead, they tend to suffer from intense itchiness and skin irritation.
A common term used in veterinary literature to describe the itchiness and irritation associated with allergies in pets is atopic dermatitis.
The condition is hereditary and passed from affected parents to offspring.
Common sense dictates that dogs affected with atopic dermatitis should not be used for breeding purposes.
It's estimated that currently up to 15% of dogs are affected with some form of the condition.
While any dog and even mixed breeds can be affected, several breeds are more commonly associated with the condition.
These include retrievers, terriers, bulldogs, Irish Setters, Dalmatians, Lhasa Apsos, and sheepdogs.
Dogs typically begin to show signs between 1 and 3 years of age, although there are always the early and late bloomers.
Especially in the case of food allergies, it can take many years for the allergy to develop.
Many dog parents falsely rule out the possibly of a food allergy for the cause of their pet's problems because "he's been eating the same food for years.
" In fact, many dogs with food allergies have been eating the same problematic food for many years with no previous signs of trouble.
According to Carol S.
Foil, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist: "Atopic animals will usually rub, lick, chew, bite or scratch at their feet, muzzle, ears, armpits or groin, causing hair loss, and reddening and thickening of the skin.
" In fact, sometimes the dog's intense reaction to the allergy itself causes additional problems such as secondary bacterial infections.
Therefore it's very important to determine the cause of the problem rather than continually try to treat the symptoms.
Avoidance of the offending allergen is the most desirable treatment option.
However, many dogs that suffer from atopic dermatitis react to many different types of allergens which can make treatment difficult for owners.
There are diagnostic tests available to detect specific allergens for dogs but these tests are often expensive and require a trip to a veterinary specialist.
However, in the long run this is probably the least costly option for dog parents that are constantly picking up medications and taking their dog to the veterinarian in a constant battle to treat their dog's symptoms.
Many dog owners often complain about the high cost of hypoallergenic dog food, but if the diet helps keep their dog out of the veterinary office the price is more than worth it.
The reason why the dog food is more expensive is because the main ingredients are not typically found in pet foods and is more costly for the manufacturer to produce.
In fact, it can be hard to convince some people that dog allergies even exist.
The main reason is that when dogs are affected with allergies they don't sneeze and sniffle like people do.
Instead, they tend to suffer from intense itchiness and skin irritation.
A common term used in veterinary literature to describe the itchiness and irritation associated with allergies in pets is atopic dermatitis.
The condition is hereditary and passed from affected parents to offspring.
Common sense dictates that dogs affected with atopic dermatitis should not be used for breeding purposes.
It's estimated that currently up to 15% of dogs are affected with some form of the condition.
While any dog and even mixed breeds can be affected, several breeds are more commonly associated with the condition.
These include retrievers, terriers, bulldogs, Irish Setters, Dalmatians, Lhasa Apsos, and sheepdogs.
Dogs typically begin to show signs between 1 and 3 years of age, although there are always the early and late bloomers.
Especially in the case of food allergies, it can take many years for the allergy to develop.
Many dog parents falsely rule out the possibly of a food allergy for the cause of their pet's problems because "he's been eating the same food for years.
" In fact, many dogs with food allergies have been eating the same problematic food for many years with no previous signs of trouble.
According to Carol S.
Foil, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist: "Atopic animals will usually rub, lick, chew, bite or scratch at their feet, muzzle, ears, armpits or groin, causing hair loss, and reddening and thickening of the skin.
" In fact, sometimes the dog's intense reaction to the allergy itself causes additional problems such as secondary bacterial infections.
Therefore it's very important to determine the cause of the problem rather than continually try to treat the symptoms.
Avoidance of the offending allergen is the most desirable treatment option.
However, many dogs that suffer from atopic dermatitis react to many different types of allergens which can make treatment difficult for owners.
There are diagnostic tests available to detect specific allergens for dogs but these tests are often expensive and require a trip to a veterinary specialist.
However, in the long run this is probably the least costly option for dog parents that are constantly picking up medications and taking their dog to the veterinarian in a constant battle to treat their dog's symptoms.
Many dog owners often complain about the high cost of hypoallergenic dog food, but if the diet helps keep their dog out of the veterinary office the price is more than worth it.
The reason why the dog food is more expensive is because the main ingredients are not typically found in pet foods and is more costly for the manufacturer to produce.
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