Monthly Archives: May 2018
Dog Flea Allergy: Do You Know Your Dog Can Be Allergic To Fleas?
For a pet owner, when your dog scratches, more often than not you would brush it off as a normal habit of your dog.
Like humans, dogs scratch off something that is itchy. And it’s a natural response to a stimuli.
During the summer months, you will notice that your dog may be scratching more than usual. Because parasites are taking advantage of your willingness to go on a vacation during the hot days and cool off to a far off place. Kidding.
But yes, fleas and ticks are on the rise during the summer. It is in these hot months that they get busy and increase their numbers. Working hard to make sure that they do not starve during the cooler months - remember the ant and grasshopper story?
Anyway, your dog may be trying to get rid of the itch by scratching themselves. But there are dogs that can be allergic to fleas. And you have to be aware if your dog may be one.
Dog Flea Allergy: It’s More Than The Usual Itch
What does it mean to have dog flea allergy?
When a flea bites the dog’s skin, this will cause an itchy feeling to your furbaby. And the dog scratches it off to get relief. But if your dog has flea allergy, one flea bite is felt as if there were ten fleas biting at the same time. Imagine if there are more fleas on your dog?
Now, you have to understand that it is not just the bite that triggers the flea allergy. Dogs are reactive to the flea saliva. So the lingering itchy feel is caused by the leftover saliva on your dog’s skin.
If left untreated, you will know that your dog has flea allergy when there is appearance of red spots, bald spots and even wounds. Because of non-stop scratching off the itchy feel.
For pet owners who have more than one dog, you can differentiate which dog have flea allergy. One dog may have scabs already but the others do not have.
Dog Flea Allergy: You Can Help Get Rid Of It
As a pet owner, one of your responsibilities is keeping your dog healthy and that includes free from ticks and fleas.
The best way to keep your pets from dog flea allergy is to avail of flea and tick preventives in the market today. Then from time to time you have to check the crevices in your homes to be sure that the fleas and ticks are not hiding there.
Fleas, during their egg, larvae, pupae and juvenile stages stay in the environment. They attack your dog during their adult stage. Lay their eggs on your dog and let it fall onto the ground for another life cycle.
But if it so happens that your dog is scratching more, then you have to bring your pup to the vet. Your vet will help you determine if your dog has flea allergy and recommend the right flea and tick preventive. It is not easy at is sounds but dog flea allergy can be taken cared of.
Ask your Veterinarian on what are the available Tick and Flea Treatment in the market today and is best for your dog.
Enjoy peace of mind,
Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC
“The St. Luke’s of Pet Hospitals” - from a Happy Client
Happy Client: Jeannine Marie Sanvicente
Excellent service! From the moment me and my pupper went in, until we left they were accommodating us.
Our anxiety was quickly alleviated because all the staff made us feel welcome and secure.
Thank you to Dr. Padilla for being patient with all my questions and for making sure Zeus Bear gets better. Really the perfect place for your fur babies!
PS. They also have a shop outside the clinic that caters to medicine and supplies fur babies need.
- Jeannine Marie Sanvicente
Dog Itchy Skin: 3 Reasons Your Dog Gets Itchy And What You Should Do About It
Dog Itchy Skin: 3 Reasons Your Dog Gets Itchy And What You Should Do About It
It’s a common habit of your dog that you can see everyday: scratching themselves.
Sometimes pet owners tend to overlook that it can be a symptom of something serious.
But if you are a keen pet owner, you can actually tell if your dog is scratching more than the usual.
If you don’t know the symptoms of dog allergy then better learn more about it here.
Today, you will learn that there are 3 reasons why your dog is itching and your dog may be experiencing at least one.
3 Factors Why Your Dog Gets Itchy
Environmental Allergens
Food Allergies
Flea Allergy
Dog Itchy Skin: Environmental Allergens
Like humans, dogs can be allergic to environmental factors that can be either atopic or contact. Atopic meaning the allergic triggers may be inhaled such as pollens, molds and dust mites.
Contact allergies are those things around that can cause extreme itching to your pet’s skin when touched by your pet. Some of these include laytex rubber, grass and wool. There are also dogs that can be allergic to humans. Sounds funny but it is a fact.
Dog Itchy Skin: Food Allergies
Aside from the toxic food for dogs, there are certain food items that your dog might be allergic to. But this is the least common to cause dog itch. More often, dogs have food intolerance or food sensitivity. Some of the food that can cause a reaction to your furbaby are egg, milk, soy, wheat, corn, chicken or beef.
Dog Itchy Skin: Flea Allergy
A very common dog skin allergy is from fleas. Yes, dogs have the tendency to scratch them off and may seem normal especially during flea season. But there are dogs that are actually allergic to the saliva of a flea.
One bite from a tiny flea may be felt like a bite of ten fleas all at once. Dogs with flea allergy will experience itchiness, redness and swelling immediately.
You have to understand that severe scratching can break your dog’s skin. This can lead to secondary infection if not treated.
Dog Itchy Skin Treatment
To determine if your furbaby has any of the mentioned dog skin allergy, it is best that you consult your veterinarian. This is because your Vet will be able to figure out what the exact cause of your dog’s allergy.
Once the allergens are known, you can eliminate or lessen the exposure to these allergens as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, follow your vet’s recommendation on the treatment for the skin allergy such as topical pet medications.
If your dog has flea allergy, best if you get rid of the fleas from your home and make use of Tick and Flea Treatments for your dogs. Utilizing them removes the possibility of fleas attacking your furbaby in the first place.
Ask your Veterinarian on what are the available Tick and Flea Treatment in the market today and is best for your dog.
Enjoy peace of mind,
Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC
“The St. Luke’s of Pet Hospitals” - from a Happy Client
Happy Client: Den Isidro
Thank you Den Isidro for the 5 Star Rating
Dog Skin Allergies: 3 Symptoms Of Skin Allergies On Your Dogs You Should Not Ignore!
Dog Skin Allergies: 3 Symptoms Of Skin Allergies On Your Dogs You Should Not Ignore!
Have you seen dogs do this like a daily habit?
If you are a pet owner, or live in an area with many dogs, you have seen many dogs do it like it’s normal.
Scratching and biting their skin like there really is something so itchy. That doing so will give somehow a temporary relief.
But what if it’s not normal anymore? That they are irritated and are hurt with all the scratching and biting that they do to their skin?
It could be that your furbaby already has dog skin allergy.
How do you know if your dog is already suffering from skin allergies?
Here are 3 common symptoms for Dog Skin Allergies:
Dog Skin Allergies Symptom: Increased Scratching And Chewing
When you see your dog scratching more than the usual then you should be concerned that skin allergy is taking place.
The increase in scratching is determined when your dog cannot stand being still for awhile without relieving their itch by scratching. Sometimes dogs tend to bite their paws and skin as well.
Dog Skin Allergies Symptom: Itchy Back or Base Of Tail
A common site of dog skin allergy is an itchy back or base of tail of your dog. Sometimes your dog gets frustrated reaching that area to scratch off the itch. And they use their sharp tooth to get rid of the irritation even temporarily.
Dog Skin Allergies Symptom: Red, Moist, Itchy, or Scabbed Skin
When your dog chews its skin excessively, this can cause reddish, moist or scabbed skin. This is because dog saliva can turn your dog’s skin to pink and too much will make it red, moist or scabbed.
Now you know the 3 Dog Skin Allergies Symptoms. But there is more to this than just the itching and chewing. You have to find out the 3 types of Dog Skin Allergies. That will be discussed on the next article.
If your dog is experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, better to bring to the nearest vet. So you will not constantly worry of your dog’s condition.
Enjoy peace of mind,
Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC
“The St. Luke’s of Pet Hospitals” - from a Happy Client