info@burtsrx.com
The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) estimates that approximately 7.8 percent of all American adults struggle with hay fever. CDC studies confirm this, and also tell us that millions of Americans struggle with other allergies on a daily basis. But it isn’t only humans struggling; your dog can experience allergies, too, and when he does, he’ll experience many of the same symptoms.
Unfortunately, treating dog allergies isn’t always as simple as giving your dog a dose of human antihistamines. Your dog’s body works differently, and due to his size, he may need special doses or dosage formats for effective treatment. This article will discuss how you can treat dog allergies safely and effectively to help Fido achieve health and wellness, too.
Treat Skin Allergies With Oatmeal
Skin allergies (canine allergic dermatitis) are incredibly common. Depending on the dog, they can occur as a result of food sensitivities, fleas, grass, laundry detergents, and just about anything else your dog might encounter. Fleas and food sensitivities are, however, the most common reason for dogs to experience itchy, red, swollen skin. In severe cases, your pup may even begin to develop scabs. Though pet owners frequently mistake these for bug bites, they’re simply broken skin from too much scratching.
Relieving irritated and itchy skin isn’t always easy, but oatmeal baths in lukewarm water can help. There’s two ways to use this solution; either use a good, dog-specific oatmeal shampoo or add 1 cup of rolled oats to the bathtub before you place your dog in the water. The second is a bit messier (you’ll need to rinse off the oats when you’re done), but it’s quick, and it works in a pinch.
Oatmeal baths work because oats contain a protein that coats the skin and acts as a barrier or protectant against environmental triggers. There is some evidence to show that weekly oatmeal baths may even help to prevent skin irritation from allergic dermatitis in the first place.
Try Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation in the body and play a critical role in healing. Technically classed as amino acids, they are essential to good health for both you and your dog. Though both dogs and humans take in omega-3s from the food they eat, additional supplementation may help with dog allergies because the amino acid’s anti-inflammatory properties reduce allergy symptoms throughout the body.
Fish-based omega-3 oils work best in dogs, likely because the canine body is very adept at processing fish. If you can afford to do so, add fresh baked tuna or salmon to your dog’s diet. If supplements make more sense, aim for krill oil, salmon oil, tuna oil, or anchovy oil.
For supplements, always choose a high-quality brand on the recommendation of your vet or pharmacist. Low-quality off-brand omega-3 supplements can become rancid and may lack the anti-allergy symptom qualities needed.
Have coconut oil at home? Cold-pressed coconut oil is loaded with omega-3s. Add a teaspoonful to your dog’s food at every meal.
Use Sulfodene Sprays and Creams
Sulfodene products contain an FDA-approved medication that can significantly reduce allergy symptoms in dogs who don’t respond to other treatments. This medication is used in both humans and dogs, and works best for treating severe signs of allergic dermatitis like hot spots and swollen, weeping skin.
The main active ingredient in Sulfodene is 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole. It works by reducing histamine production and relieving inflammation, itching, redness, and other allergy symptoms at locally. Spray formulas make it extremely easy to provide your dog with relief in hard-to-reach areas like the groin, and may even provide faster relief than oral medications alone.
Unfortunately, Sulfodene can worsen symptoms for a small number of particularly sensitive dogs. If you use this product and see increased redness, your dog may be allergic to the Sulfodene itself. Stop treatment immediately and seek advice from a vet.
Try Compounded Medicated Sprays
If your pet’s allergy symptoms stem from bacterial or fungal infections, or from flea infestations, compounded medicated sprays may provide a more holistic approach. Rather than simply relieving symptoms, these sprays treat both the source of the problem and the allergy symptoms all at the same time.
Because these sprays target multiple issues, they usually contain two or more different drugs. The most common additions are antifungals, antibiotics, numbing chemicals, corticosteroids, and antihistamines. Many of these specialized formulations aren’t available commercially; instead, your pharmacist compounds them from scratch behind the counter. This is ideal for dogs with multiple skin-related health concerns as the pharmacist can tweak the formula to best fit your dog’s needs.
Compounding is also preferred for dogs with medication allergies or sensitivities. The pharmacist can leave out any offending drugs or switch them out for a different drug to achieve the same results with fewer side effects.
Sprays work best because they let you apply the medication to broad areas of the skin all at once, but if the allergy issue is small (e.g., hotspots), creams may work better. Most compounded canine allergy sprays can be reformulated into creams, salves, or even patches if the need arises.
Give Oral Antihistamines
If all else fails and you aren’t having any luck with topical treatments, the next step to treat dog allergies is to turn to oral antihistamines. Many of the antihistamines veterinarians prescribe for dogs are the same antihistamines humans purchase over the counter in the pharmacy — Benadryl, Claritin, and Hydroxyzine to name a few.
Note that commercially-available human antihistamines aren’t always the right choice for dogs. It is imperative that you never attempt to give your dog any medication without speaking with your pharmacist. Some human formulations contain other substances, like alcohol or acetaminophen, which could make your dog very sick, even in greatly reduced doses.
Of all the available oral antihistamines, diphenhydramine (Benadryl). In otherwise healthy dogs, you can give up to 1 mg per pound of body weight between one and three times per day. Children or infant’s Benadryl works best as most formulas contain no alcohol and are free from other drugs, but always confirm your choice with your pharmacist before giving this drug to your dog.
In Conclusion
You love your dog, and you want what’s best for him. That’s why you do everything you can to find allergy relief options with as few side effects or contraindications as possible. Ultimately, your goal should be to provide relief without impacting happiness, activity levels, appetite, or overall wellness. If you have questions about how to treat dog allergies, speak with your pharmacist directly.