Pet Allergies

Allergies in Pets

There is a wide variety of allergies that pets can suffer from. While they typically become visible through skin conditions, there are a number of other symptoms and warning signs to look for. Pet allergies can happen just like in their human companions. These allergies usually manifest themselves as skin conditions- What this will do is provoke the immune system of the pet to overreact in the form of a number of different symptoms, most notably a skin irritation- Unfortunately, allergies are becoming more common every day just as they are with humans. Skin irritation from allergies is fairly easy to identify. Some of the symptoms are redness, itching, hair loss and recurring skin infections from the irritation. The pet may begin to scratch himself more thus bringing on the skin problems- When looking for symptoms, there are various things that can help to identify if the pet is suffering from allergies- Sometimes, cigar shaped mites will appear on the pet's skin. These mites are located in the hair follicle and oil glands of the skin- While it is possible to identify what type of allergies the pet is suffering from, it is best to seek attention from a veterinarian to identify the best treatment possible- There are a number of different kinds of pet allergies pets may be suffering from. The five main allergies include food allergies, flea allergies, bacteria, contact, and atopy allergies-

Food

The common symptoms of food allergies consist of skin irritation, excessive itching, hair loss, and hot spots. In addition, they can cause the pet to have loose bowel movements and even cause them to throw up from time to time_ There are a number of causes for food allergies including a built-up intolerance to beef, dairy products, chicken, corn and soy Pet food allergies can develop over time making it all the more important to be aware ofthese symptoms. The easiest solution is to change to a different dry pet food and see if the skin problem clears up. If this is not the answer, a visit at the veterinarian is necessary for further assistance.

Flea

Much like food allergies, the pet will develop redness to the skin, become itchy, and may begin chewing in spots. The primary cause of pet fleas is the salivaof fleas that irritates pet’s skin. Similar to mosquitoes, fleas suck the blood out of the pet. Possible treatment is giving the pet a bath in cool water with a shampoodesigned for fleas. If the pet has chewed his own skin, antibiotics will be sometimes needed, depending on the severity of the problem. Diagnosis of Flea Allergies can be difficult at times due to the symptoms being similar to those of other allergies. However, it may be possible to spot some black specks on the pet’s skin which are flea faeces.

Bacteria and Contact Allergies

Bacterial allergies can be identified by red blotches, pus pockets, hair loss and skin formation that looks like ringworm. Typically, bacteria allergies are secondary to other problems the pet may have such as parasitism or hormonal disorders. It is vital to get a blood test to see what the actual problem is.

The symptoms of contact allergies are very similar to flea and bacteria allergies symptoms. The cause for contact allergies is the pet coming into contact with any kinds of allergens. Anything from the bedding, chemicals, plants, or household cleaning products can bring on contact allergies. There are several different treatment methods including using a certain kind of shampoo, a prescribed oral form of steroids, or any natural treatments like omega-3.

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