Is your dog suffering from an allergy?

There are several symptoms to allergies, and some dogs will only have one, while others have several. We now all have access to allergy medicine for dogs, just over the counter. It may be a good idea though, to initially have a vet look at your dog. Something else may be going on, and you do not want to use allergy medicine for dogs when it is not needed…it can even cause extra discomfort.

Pet asthma is on the rise. Indoor animals can be sensitive to the chemical cleansers we use and the synthetic fabrics in our carpets and our furniture. Usually pet allergies show up as skin irritations, and a lot of scratching by your pet, but sneezing and runny eyes should not be ignored.  Go see the the vet with your pet and make sure the animal is not ill with a viral infection. They can turn nasty in a blink of an eye.

If the vet feels it is an allergy, they may recommend medication for the pet.  Since animals can’t tell us in words what is making them uncomfortable, it is harder to pinpoint the cause. Don’t rule out room sprays and heated oil fragrances, though. Your cologne or fabric softener can be the culprit as well.

If your pet seems to have too many flakes in its coat and it is scratching a lot, it may not be fleas. It could be pet eczema.  This can be a reaction to chemicals in your home, or not. Only your vet can tell you what the possible causes are. Again, medications and ointments can be administered to help relieve both the pet’s suffering and any of the humans in the house sensitive to their eczema dander.