| Allergies |
| An allergic reaction is an abnormal response to something that is injected, ingested or inhaled. It can as simple as a sneeze or as serious as a life-threatning shock. It can develop slowly or occur suddenly. Many dogs develop dermatitis. Contact (caused by something that comes in contact with the skin) and solar (skin that is irritated by sunlight) are two common types. If you already eliminated other factors, like fleas or other insect bites, look or other clues. If the irritation is around the muzzle, check if you have recently change the pet's food or got a new water/food bowls. If the irratation is all over, then consider the most obvious first (a change of shampoo or new bedding material) and work on down. If the the irritation is promarily around the neck area, are you using a new brand of flea collar? Animals like people can be allergic to pollen and other substances in the air. Dogs develop itchy skin, and cats show symptoms of asthma. Itchy skin can also develop due to a food allergy. Unfortunetly, sometimes the cause remains a mystery and so your veterinarian can only try to ease the symptoms. If your pet has itchy skin due to an allergic reaction, cool bath may help easy the discomfort. Dry and apply a soothing cream, like A & D ointment. (Make sure the dog, dosen't link the cream off. Keep the pet busy for a few minutes). Mention the problem to your vet. Hives are soft bumps, often around the eyes and the ears. They are uncomfortable and itchy. Hives are a more serious allergic reaction than ithcy skin. Watch out for breathing problems, when your pet breaks out with hives. If you notice that your pet starts panting and wheezing, get him to the vet right away. An injection of adrenaline may be necessary. Many pets are allergic to flea saliva and itch terribly when bitten by one. Afcourse, good flea control is necessary for all pets, but if your dog/cat is allergic to fleas you must be especially vigilant. Cortisone or antihistamine treatment is usually the best course of action. Insects that sting people, will also sting pets. Like humans, pets usually have severe reactions. Most often the reaction is a small swelling around the site of the sting. But sometimes there can be difficulty in breathing, restlessness, vomiting, diarrhea or seizures. Some animals may collapse and even die from these bites. See more on Bites and Unconsciousness. |
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