5 Signs Your Dog Could Have Allergies in Granger, IN

Allergies in pets can sometimes manifest in strange ways. You might think that you know all about the signs of dog allergies, but there are many odd ways that allergy symptoms can appear. Dogs that are allergic to their food or their environment can struggle with their overall health.

Owners with an allergic dog need to find out what is causing the allergic reaction and eliminate the issue. Diagnosing allergies can be hard to do, and if you are not sure whether your dog is allergic to something or not, you will have a hard time helping your dog feel better.

If you are ready to learn the signs that your dog could have allergies in Granger, IN, you need to read on!

Signs Your Dog Could Have Allergies

There are many different symptoms to watch for to see if your dog does have allergies. Talk to your veterinarian if your pet is showing any of these symptoms.

1. Scratching

Dogs with allergies might scratch all the time. These dogs often scratch until they bleed or they might pull out all their hair. Dogs that scratch their ears and face can actually injure their ears or muzzle. If your dog is scratching so much that its ears are torn or bleeding, you might have a messy situation to clean up each day.

Scratching like this is often the most apparent symptom of allergies. This type of reaction can be related to a food allergy or an environmental allergen. Dogs that scratch too much can suffer from skin issues and display symptoms of secondary problems like fungal skin infections. Scratching can be much more damaging to a dog’s skin than you might think.

2. Scaly Skin

If your dog shows signs of scaly, scabby skin, it might be suffering from allergies. Other skin conditions display this symptom as well, so you might need to head to the veterinarian for a precise diagnosis. Scaly skin can be very uncomfortable for your dog and can lead to bacterial and fungal infections.

Scaly skin can be really unsightly, but it can also be very uncomfortable for your dog. You will want to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible to properly diagnose this condition and make sure that you are treating it properly. Scaly skin can quickly turn into much more severe conditions, so you will want to get this issue under control as soon as possible.

3. Wheezing or Coughing

Environmental allergies can sometimes lead to sneezing and coughing, which can be very miserable for your dog and make it hard for them to exercise or eat without issues. Wheezing and coughing are not common in dogs, but they can appear when allergens are present.

Other medical conditions can lead to these kinds of symptoms as well. This, just like scaly skin, can be an excellent reason to head to the vet and make sure that your dog does not have another condition or illness leading to their coughing and sneezing.

4. Vomiting and Diarrhea

This is a standard set of symptoms that almost always indicate an allergy of some kind. Vomiting and diarrhea can be very harmful to your dog’s long-term health. If this is the set of symptoms that your dog is showing, you will want to address the allergic condition right away.

Vomiting and diarrhea can lead to a dehydrated dog that might experience other life-threatening conditions. Vomiting and diarrhea should not be ignored, and the reason for these symptoms needs to be isolated as soon as possible.

5. Red Eyes or Skin

Sometimes your dog’s allergies will show up as redness around the eyes or on the skin. Your dog might not be scratching or sneezing, but having red eyes or red spots on the skin can also be a sign of allergies. This is often the first symptom of an allergic reaction in dogs, and other symptoms might follow it up.

Red eyes and skin can be hard to notice at first, and many owners miss this symptom. This is particularly common in long-haired dogs because of how difficult it can be to see their skin through their long hair. If you have noticed either of these symptoms in your dog, you should consider working on identifying the cause of this symptom.

How Common Are Allergic Reactions in Dogs?

Allergies are actually quite common in dogs. Many dogs are allergic to various kinds of dog foods or their environment. Dogs can have seasonal allergies just like people, and they can have issues with grains just like people as well. Dog food is often made up of more grains than anything else, and this can be an issue for lots of pets.

Allergies can be genetic, which means that certain breeds are more susceptible to these reactions than others dog breeds. If you have a lab, one of many small dog breeds, or a terrier or Golden Retriever, you might have to attend to allergies in your pet at some point during their lifespan.

Some dogs can spend most of their life without allergies, but a move to a new place or the addition of a new pet can be the reason for their allergies. You will need to pay close attention to the things that have changed in your dog’s environment to help figure out what is causing the allergic reaction. Sometimes a change is not as apparent as you might think it would be.

Dog Allergies Can Be Easier to Treat If You Can Identify The Symptoms

Dog allergies can be easily managed in most cases. You will need to identify the reason for the allergy and potentially add antihistamines to your dog’s daily regimen. Dog allergies can be disruptive to your dog’s comfort and health, and finding out what is causing your dog’s allergies can be critical to eliminating the discomfort they are experiencing.

Dog allergies can be easy to deal with once you figure out what is causing the problem. Treating allergies in dogs can be simple once you know why they are experiencing this reaction. Never be afraid to take your dog to the vet to help you figure out what is causing the problem and to help you treat it.

Want to talk with a veterinarian about your dog’s allergies? Call Kryder and Harr Veterinary Clinic at (574) 277-6533 today!