There are many conditions which can make a dog itch or sneeze, including autoimmune. endocrine, and parasitic skin diseases. Therefore, some detective work is necessary to identify the right cause.
A veterinarian might be able to diagnose the problem. However, they may refer your dog to a veterinary dermatologist, who is a specialist in treating skin conditions in animals.
If allergies are suspected, the first thing a veterinarian will normally ask is if the dog is on any kind of flea-control product. Flea allergies are the most common type of allergies and the easiest to control. There are many options available from high-street and online pet stores.
If flea allergies are ruled out, and if the itch is non-seasonal, food allergies are the next thing to be checked. Food allergies are not seasonal, while most atopic allergies begin as a seasonal problem.
Dogs that develop atopic allergies typically show symptoms between 1 and 5 years of age, but food allergies can be a problem at any time. They are high on the list of suspected causes when a dog first gets itchy skin at an age of over 5 years, or less than 6 months.
When testing for food allergies, the dog is put on what is referred to as an “elimination diet” for at least 10 weeks. This means it is fed food that consists of a protein and carbohydrate that the dog has not eaten before, such as venison, duck, and potatoes.
Veterinarians offer these special foods, and some may be found in pet stores. Another option is to feed the dog a homemade diet of foods recommended by the veterinarian.
If the dog’s itching subsides by at least half, the allergen is clearly being caused by one of the foods that make up its regular diet. To confirm this, the owner can reintroduce the regular diet to see if the symptoms return.
To pinpoint the specific ingredients that trigger the allergy, the dog owner should add one ingredient at a time from the regular diet into the special diet. One new ingredient should be added weekly, with close attention being paid to how the dog reacts.
Alternatively, the owner may choose to stick with the special food to avoid causing the dog discomfort each time an allergic ingredient is fed. Either way, whilst being tested for allergies, it should not be given treats, table scraps, or rawhide toys.
To check for atopic and contact allergies, veterinary dermatologists use an intradermal allergy test, or skin reaction test. The dog is mildly sedated, a postcard-sized area on the side of it is shaved, and small amounts of potential allergens are injected into the skin. If the dog is allergic to a particular substance, the skin will become inflamed, showing that the cause of the allergy has been found.
—
Learn More: Dog Allergies Treatment
