Recognizing Allergies In Dogs: Signs To Look Out For
When you bring your new dog home with you, the last thing you are probably thinking about is any possible health condition that your new dog may have. However, for many dogs (just like people), allergies are a reality of life. And because dogs cannot tell you when they are feeling itchy or congested, it can sometimes be difficult for you as a pet owner to tell when your dog is suffering from allergies. Get to know some of the telltale signs that your dog is dealing with allergies so that you can get them the medicine that they need to feel better.
Watery Eyes or Lots of Eye Buildup
When dogs suffer from seasonal allergies such as allergies to dust, pollen, or the like, one of the easiest ways to see their discomfort is to look at their eyes. Your dog’s eyes can tell you a great deal about their overall health.
If your dog is suffering from allergies they may have constant watery eyes, or lines of discharge that slow from the eyes. They may also have eye build up (commonly referred to as “eye boogers”) seemingly constantly. Your dog may also paw at their eyes or attempt to rub them on the floor. These are all signs they are having an allergic reaction to something.
They Have A Few Super Sensitive Spots on Their Skin
Allergies in dogs can often cause them to have certain spots or areas on their skin that are extremely sensitive and seem to cause your dog irritation when touched. These spots may not stand out to you visually as having any sores or showing redness. However, when you touch that spot, your dog will definitely react.
If you are petting your dog and notice a spot on their back or belly causes their leg to twitch like they are trying to scratch an itch or you can feel their muscles clench beneath the skin when you touch a certain point on their back, they likely are suffering from contact allergies.
Contact skin allergies in dogs can be to anything including those seasonal allergies, or allergies to the flea and tick treatments they receive, shampoos, carpet cleaning solutions, or any number of other things that may come into contact with their skin.
Hot Spots
Sometimes those sensitive areas of skin can become so irritated that your dog continuously scratches or bites at them. When this happens, they may develop a hot spot. This is an area of skin that has a scabby sore that often leaks clear fluid and yellow or brown pus and even blood.
These hot spots need to be closely monitored once they are found to keep your dog from continuing to bite and scratch to make them worse. In addition to dealing with the allergies that may have caused your dog to develop that hot spot, you will need to treat the wound and possible infection.
Now that you know some of the signs of allergies in your dog, you know what to look out for. With this information, you can get your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you notice these signs and get them the treatment they need to feel better. For more information, contact a professional like those at Animal House Veterinary Hospital.
