How To Differentiate Between Seasonal Vs. Food Allergies?
It can be challenging to differentiate between seasonal and food allergies. Typically seasonal allergies are associated with the specific times of the year and occur in spring or fall. On the contrary, food allergies may happen any time of the year. Sudden onset of symptoms after eating a possible triggering food is a common thing associated with food allergies. Additionally, if you have changed your dog’s food or the manufacturer has added a new ingredient to the dog food, there are high chances of your dog developing some irritability.
Diagnosing Seasonal Allergies
You can check your dog for seasonal allergies using an intradermal skin test. It is pretty similar to the testing method in humans. A minimal amount of allergens is injected under your pup’s skin to identify which allergen cause hives, information, and puffiness. Your vet will customize an immunotherapy shot or a serum injected into your dog’s body based on these results. Depending upon your dog’s allergies’ severity, your vet may suggest other clinical investigations and interventions.
How to Comfort Your Four-Legged Baby?
If your paw babies have ongoing symptoms, and you are worried about their discomforts, it is always better to take them for a physical examination to a vet. It is challenging to identify and remove the allergens that trigger allergies entirely in case of seasonal allergies.
Reaching out to your vet in case of severe allergies is the best option. The vets usually prescribe Cytopoint, Apoquel, Prednisone, or some other anti-yeast medication and antibiotics for secondary infections.
Some Do’s And Don’ts
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- Remember that giving an antihistamine like Benadryl to your dog may either cause drowsiness or hyperactivity in some dogs. Every dog reacts differently to Benadryl.
- Do check the ingredients if you are buying over-the-counter medicines. It shouldn’t contain pseudoephedrine which is not safe for dogs.
- Dosage for humans and dogs is not the same, so always consult your vet before introducing any over-the-counter -counter medicine to your furry baby.
- Bathing regularly with hypoallergenic shampoos can help clean allergens like grass and pollen that your dog may have caught while strolling outdoors.
- NASC recommends giving your pooch fatty acid supplements to reduce itchiness, soothe the flaky skin, and subsides irritations.
Conclusion
The onset of symptoms like persisting sneeziness, itchy and flaky skin, scratching and shaking ears, biting or scratching paws, licking anus or any other affected area, watery and red eyes are some of the most common symptoms of allergies in dogs. It is better to consult your vet before it worsens. You may give some over-the-counter medicines to relieve them. However, it is always better to consult your vet to be on the safer side.
