subject: Canine Skin Allergies - Symptoms And Tips [print this page] Canine Skin Allergies - Symptoms And Tips
Canine skin allergies are primarily the identical factor as canine atopic dermatitis, which may be a chronic itchy skin disorder that requires intervention and treatment. Although some dispute this, canine atopic dermatitis is regarded as related only to inhalant allergies and not to dog food allergies. Dog skin allergies are commonest in younger dogs, but will occur in dogs of any age.
Dog Allergies Symptoms
Among the symptoms of dog allergies the primary symptom is itchy, irritated skin. A canine skin allergy could begin in a very mild state. However, if the allergen remains inside the dog's immediate environment, it can gradually intensify over time to become a chronic condition. In some dogs the respiratory track may sometimes be affected; if therefore, you may notice wheezing, sneezing, and coughing. Some dogs may additionally have a discharge from their eyes and nose, though this can be not typically found in the first stages. Much less usually you will have to deal with vomiting and diarrhea.
Atopy in Dogs
A term you will hear in association to canine skin allergies is atopy. Atopy is that the inherited tendency to develop allergic diseases.
This term is often not correctly understood. Some will say that atopy is connected only to inhalant allergies, and not food allergies. This is not true. Atopy may be a general term that applies to any or all allergy diseases. But, atopic dermatitis is related only to canine skin allergies.
Atopy affects dogs and humans differently. In humans, allergies typically affect the sinuses and respiratory system. This is often as a result of a particular kind of cell, known as the mast cell, is found mostly in the sinuses and respiratory system in humans. It is mast cells that are full of allergens, therefore when an allergy is gift we tend to can come back down with the typical respiratory symptoms.
This can be not usually therefore with dogs. In dogs, mast cells are located primarily in their skin and a lot of less thus in their sinuses and respiratory systems. So, when a dog has an allergy it will primarily have an effect on its skin, and typically not their sinuses and respiratory system.
The vital factor concerning canine skin allergies is the requirement for medical intervention. If you think that your dog is affected by an allergy, it's important to see a veterinarian for a diagnosis. The symptoms of dog allergies will mimic those of different a lot of serious canine diseases. After these have been ruled out, then the job can begin to properly treat your dog and to identify the allergen responsible for the canine skin allergy. If attainable it can then be eliminated from the dog's environment.
