People medicines such as Benadryl and Claritin will only provide temporary relief of the signs and your dog will still be uncomfortable.
In some cases the dermatologist may be able to make up allergy shots if they find out the cause of your dogs allergies. You should not make any diet changes or treat your pet with any medication without strict guidance from a veterinarian.
Changing the dog's diet without the guidance from a veterinarian can make it more difficult for them to isolate the cause of the allergies. It’s entirely possible that the causes may involve specific foods. This requires an extensive food trial. However it could be environmental agents that are causing your dog allergies symptoms which would require further allergy testing.
On your own you could try hydroxizine or atarax for some relief. Do Not use prednisone, it is not the greatest it's a steroid and have several side effects. You can also try eliminating the normal protein source with another protein like fish or venison. It takes up to 2 to 3 months of a diet change to tell if there is any effect.
Allergic contact dermatitis usually shows up in dogs as a hypersensitivity reaction to particular molecules in your pet's environment. Irritant contact dermatitis happens when the skin is exposed to noxious substances in the environment. The symptoms and biologic mechanisms in these two disease structures are closely similar and are often discussed together.
Allergic contact dermatitis is a rare disease, which occurs when an animal's skin overreacts to certain small molecules in the environment. Substances, which can cause allergic contact dermatitis in dogs include some antibiotics applied to the skin, metals such as nickel, materials like rubber or wool and chemicals such as dyes and carpet deodorizers.
Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when the dog’s skin is exposed to intensely irritating chemicals like the sap in poison ivy or road salt.
What are the symptoms of allergic and irritant contact dermatitis?
Lesions occur on the areas of skin that are sparsely haired and exposed to the offending cause. Areas like the back of the paws, abdomen, muzzle, and lips.
The affected areas are usually very red, have small bumps or blister-like lesions, and itch like crazy. Also in irritant contact dermatitis may occur.
The key to managing these dog allergies symptoms is the obvious removing or restricting of exposure to any allergen or contact irritant in the pet's environment. If your not able to do this, then using fatty acids, antihistamines, biotin, and topical shampoos can at least control the itching.
As a rule, for any pet suspected of having an allergy problem that could include an allergic contact component, we recommend:
Glass or stainless steel food and water bowls, cleaned and rinsed well daily
Hypoallergenic detergents for the pet's bedding
Routine hypoallergenic shampoos for the pet to remove any allergens
Restricting walking to sidewalks or paved surfaces-completely avoiding the grass,
if possible.
Be kind to your pooch!
Hopefully in the not to distant future there will be an easier fix for all allergies in dogs.
