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Canine Allergies - Relief For Your Dog’s Itchy, Irritated Skin

Canine allergies are responsible for much of the chewing and itching of dogs everywhere. Just like people, dogs may be allergic to food ingredients, to pollens of grass, weeds and trees or to mold and dust mites in their environment. Although there are many shampoos and sprays advertised to stop skin itching of dogs, these commercial products have limited effectiveness. They may provide some short term relief but if the source of the allergen is still present, the itch will quickly return.

Grass pollen and dust mites are the cause of atopic dermatitis which is an allergy to inhaled substances in the environment. Atopic dermatitis affects up to 10% of all dogs. Atopica is a medication often prescribed to relieve the symptoms of paw licking and chewing and the reddened tender skin and fur loss that develops from the licking. The itching from atopy can become so severe it interferes with the dog’s sleep. Atopica does not cause drowsiness as antihistamines will nor does it contain corticosteroids which can be harmful with long term use.

Flea allergy dermatitis is most often the cause when dogs are scratching their back or chewing on the inside of their legs. The saliva released by the flea when it bites the dog is the cause of flea allergy dermatitis. For dogs with this reaction you must break the flea life cycle so that fleas cannot hatch from eggs laid on your dog. Dogs with this allergy can’t tolerate flea bites at all.

Triamcinolone is often prescribed by vets to treat inflammation and allergic disorders. This is a corticosteroid and must be administered exactly as prescribed. When giving corticosteroids it is crucial not to stop the medication without a gradual reduction in the dosage. Triamcinolone is the generic name of the medication and may be prescribed as one of several brands such as Cortalone, Vetalog or TriAcet.

Itching in the anal area is a sign of food allergies in your pet. Food allergies are most often seen in dogs less than one year old but can appear at any age. Your dog may become allergic to a food he has eaten for months or even years. Anal itching may be accompanied by a rash, vomiting or diarrhea and flatulence is another unpleasant symptom of food allergies. Environmental causes of the allergic reaction will be eliminated your vet to make certain there are no secondary allergies to be treated.

Dexamethasone is given by injection, topically or inhalation and is a common prescriptive synthetic corticosteroid. The topic solution may also include an antibacterial, antifungal or miticide to treat skin problems. Dexamethasone is tolerated well by most dogs but can have negative side effects for some canines.

Veterinarians frequently provide corticosteroids to ease the symptoms cause by canine allergic reactions. One pill every other day is usually sufficient to repress the itch and discomfort for the dog. Corticosteroids are not recommended for long term use as they depress the immune system. However, for inhalation allergies that may be seasonal, steroids provide total relief and comfort for your dogs.

Temaril-P may be a solution for dogs requiring long term treatment for airborne allergies. This anti-inflammatory drug has a low dose of prednisone (a corticosteroid) and can be prescribed longer term with less risk than full dose corticosteroid medications. By reducing the dog’s need to scratch, Temaril-P prevents sores and bare spots from developing. This pet med is also used in treating kennel cough or asthma caused by canine allergies. You can use medicines to ease the allergic reaction and provide comfort for your dog even though you may not be able to eradicate the source of the allergy.

Stop the itch of flea allergy dermatitis and other dog allergies with the best flea killers and canine allergy medicines. Buy direct from a veterinarian at http://petscriptsdirect.com for the best prices online.

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