Dog Skin Allergy Problems

Does your canine friend have dog skin allergy problems? Skin problems are the most common type of medical disorder veterinarians see in the office. Dogs tend to show their allergies in their coats and skin instead of in runny eyes and swollen sinuses like people get. Sometimes they are allergic to ingredients in their food, too, but this is fairly uncommon.

There are a wide range of symptoms that can indicate your dog does indeed have a problem with allergies. The coat can have a poor texture or length, for one thing. Of course, itching is part of the picture. A dog with severely itchy skin will bite and chew on itself a great deal. This behavior leads to hot spots as well as even more serious injury.

What is a hot spot? It is a usually circular patch on a dog's skin that becomes hairless and swollen and is painfully itchy. It often gives off pus that has a bad odor. It is actually a skin infection in which bacteria that are normally present multiply into too many bacteria because of the presence of saliva and irritation. Hot spots are so uncomfortable that even docile dogs can be tempted to growl or nip when you touch them.

Hot spots can appear anywhere, but some common locations are the feet, legs, and rump. Some characteristics that increase the likelihood of these spots developing are if the dog has a heavy coat with mats and tangles, ear infections, fleas, or a history of allergic reactions.

For indoor dogs, there are some things you can do to reduce the presence of substances that cause dog skin allergy problems. For instance, you can vacuum frequently to reduce dust mites and the like. You can use an air purifier as well. Giving the dog nutritional supplements designed to nourish the skin and coat is also helpful.

Dogs with long coats that mat and tangle easily need to be frequently groomed. Twice a week is good for combing out the haircoat. If the dog already has matted hair, the matting should be gently combed out or cut out carefully. Rough treatment can be very painful for the dog since the skin is likely in poor condition already.