Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Different Categories of Dog Skin Allergies

Dog skin allergies are among the main source of problem for dogs. No matter how supposedly good the coat of your dog’s breed is, that would be all for naught if the pet has a skin allergy. As a pet owner, you should make it a point to know what the different dog skin allergies are so you would find it easier to treat. Always remember that prevention is better than cure.

There are actually four different types of allergies that can affect an otherwise healthy skin for your dog. The first is known as Nutritional Dermatitis. This type of skin allergy happens on dogs who exhibit a negative or adverse reaction towards certain foods. They would react to it just as humans would typically react to food allergy-red rashes and severe itching.

Atopic Dermatitis is another kind of dog skin allergy. This happens when dogs inhale allergens just by breathing it in. Adverse reaction against allergens can be developed as early as puppyhood and reactions can worsen through time. Veterinarians note that Atopy is the most common type of allergy experienced by dogs.

Parasitic Dermatitis is something that is also common among the dog skin allergies. This is caused by a parasite residing right at the coat of your dog-fleas.

Gnats and ticks are other types of parasites that may also reside on the coat of your dog, aside from fleas. What happens is that the saliva of these parasites irritates the skin of your dog as they get bitten. As a result, a noticeable inflammation on the skin of your dog appears which can be made much worse as they continue to scratch on it.

However, there are times when neither of these skin allergy types can be noted on your dog. When this happens, a different and more alarming type of allergy must needs be treated-Neurogenic Dermatitis. This is actually more of a behavioural problem where you dog has developed an obsession for gnawing at his skin and licking himself.

Excessive licking and chewing is actually classified as Lick Granuloma or Acral Lick Dermatitis, as the obsessive behaviour causes an infection and irritation right on the dog’s skin. It’s been said that cases such as separation anxiety, confinement, and frustration can trigger this on your pet dog.

It becomes a pet owner’s responsibility to actually become more knowledgeable when it comes to understanding dog skin allergies. This way, you can immediately consult a veterinarian to give the right prescription for your dog’s case.

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