Ch. Rick Lois From The Dogsfarm at Calliope
One of the common causes of an allergy in a dog might come because it is allergic to certain types of food, corn, soy, meats like pork and beef can set an allergic dog into a state of agony with itching and the poor dog will be constantly licking the affected areas, and might be seen to develop hair loss and infected hot spots.
I believe quite a few of the people who are feeding “raw” diets do this because their dogs are allergic to most bagged and processed dog foods.
Even one flea bite, if the dog is allergic to the saliva from the flea, can cause a serious reaction of itching, and rubbing, scratching and severve discomfort. For dog owners who know they have this problem I would recommend that they treat their dogs for tapeworm (because of the relationship of the tapeworm cycle and fleas) and also use FrontLine or a similiar product to prevent fleas from causing the allergic reaction. Flea eggs can generally be found on the dog even if the fleas are not are not easily seen. Best area to quickly see them might be the stomach area where dogs have less hair.
Some dogs can have inhalant allergies as a result of pollens, or other air borne bodies. And every year, around the same time, the dog will end up at the vet to ease its discomfort from the allergy.
Dr. Gus Reader, of Central Veterinary Clinic, usually sees my Bouvier, Rick (Ch. Rick Lois From the Dogsfarm at Calliope) once a year and either in late April or May.
I notice Rick will start with licking his paws, and develops a wheezing cough, and then quickly he begins to bite his tail (which is like an Akita’s, full of hair and curled over his hindquarters) until it is almost hairless. He does not go off his food but he is obviously very uncomfortable with constant scratching and licking.
So off to the vet we went this morning. And Gus Reader, the vet, when he pulled Rick’s card, smiled and said “yep, that time of the year again for you boy”.
And Rick got a steroid shot which will control the allergy for three months and after that Rick should be fine within 48 hours and by the time the steroid is out of his stystem, whatever he is allergic to is then gone from the environment.
I did discuss with this vet being proactive. Knowing that Rick is affected by an allergy in April/May every year but the vet told me that antihistamines do not seem to work very well in dogs and he would recommend instead as soon as I see the symptoms of the allergy developing in April/May to bring Rick in for a steroid shot. It is the only time Rick visits the vet and he is extremely healthy otherwise.
And when I visit the vet with any of my dogs, I always take the opportunity to walk them onto the vet’s scales. Rick weighs 117 lbs. but he is a very strong muscular dog and does not look overweight.
And Rick seems to enjoy his annual visit to the vet. I see some people pulling and lifting up their dogs to go inside. Rick marches in, tail wagging and full of bounce. And he is even polite enough to offer a paw to some people’s amusement 🙂
At this time of the year in Barbados most of our tropical trees are in full bloom and they are gorgeous – Flamboyant trees in red and yellow, all of the cassias, in pinks and yellows, the bauhinia tree with its pink flowers which look like orchids.
Bauhinia - orchid tree in bloom
Although I have flowering trees on my grounds, Rick’s allergy might be coming from the grass as the rains have finally arrived after a period of drought and everywhere is looking green and lush again. Or it could be pollen seasonable to this time of the year blowing in the wind.
Dealing with allergies must be extremely challenging for owners who purchase puppies from breeders who know the sire or dam has an inherited skin disorder, allergic dermatisis and still breed it. And then produce progengy that must live its life on a special diet and on steroids.
All of my Bouviers eat prepared and processed dog foods. Because I shop in PriceSmart, I will purchase Pedigree but now that they are carrying the Kirtland brand instead, I have been purchasing that with no problems. My dogs also get cooked meats and except for Rick’s annual allergy, I have no history of skin problems with Bouviers.
But for the dogs out there who are getting no relief for the itching and have owners who are too busy, don’t care or don’t have the money to go to the vet, it must be sheer agnony.
A simple test for a owner to do to confirm the problem, would be to put his/her hand on the dog’s back and press, automatically the dog will begin to rapidly scratch
For readers in Barbados who use the Central Veterinary Clinic, it is of interest to note that you can now make an appointment. To me, this would make sense to utilise this appointment system as lots of people tend to get to the Clinic just before it closes.
Tags: dog allergies
