DOG ALLERGIES

CAUSES:

Your pet is more like you than you think and as unlikely as it may seem, dog allergies are just as common for your four legged friend as they are for you. Much like humans, dog allergy symptoms cover a wide spectrum from itchy skin, diarrhea, respiratory problems and ear infections.  Dog allergies can be gotten from a variety of sources, some of which are easily preventable while others may take a little extra care.

Food is a typical source of dog allergies. Unlike food for humans, the USDA doesn’t inspect or certify beef, lamb, fish and poultry when it is being used for animals. As such contaminates and illness causing bacteria can become part of the food and create allergic reactions for your pet.  Additionally most dog foods contain corn and wheat as fillers which have been know to carry mycotoxins, another source of dog allergies and human allergies. 

Many dog foods also use meat by-products which are basically anything other than the muscle of an animal. This can include everything from organs (liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys), to hoofs, blood and even amounts of chicken feathers. These by-products are classified in the industry as being 4-D, defined as “Dead, Dying, Diseased or Disabled” and would never be considered for human consumption but are deemed ok, for some reason, for your pet.  Because of the very nature of these parts, it is common for these by-products to be tainted and can cause many health problems for your four legged buddy, including dog allergies.

Environmental factors play a large part for any allergy suffers and it’s not different for your dog. Dust mites, molds, pollen and even human dander can be causes of your dog’s allergies just the same as these items create allergic symptoms in the owner. These kinds of allergic sources infect the respiratory system making breathing difficult and can also affect their skin. Dogs that chew, lick and paw at their faces often do so as a way of dealing with the irritation.

Flea allergies are just as it says – allergies caused by fleas. This type of dog allergy is more easily recognized and remedied. Flea baths and flea collars can help get rid of the source (the fleas), but if the condition continues or gets worse, a trip to Vet may be required which can get expensive.

Contact allergies are similarly affected for people; sensitivity to certain types of items your pooch’s skin will have contact with. Those same flea collars that may get rid of the insect problem could have an adverse reaction for your dog because the plastic band’s composition is an irritant. Any plastic product like their food bowl or things like a wool bedding, certain plants or even grass can all be a source of dog allergies.

SYMPTOMS:

Even though our canine companions can’t tell us they have dog allergies, there are some tell tale signs that will help you know if your poor poochie is suffering.

Because dog allergies don’t always appear in the beginning stages as physical problems like a skin rash or loss of hair, the first thing you’ll be able to notice when your dog gets an allergy will be certain behavioral issues that seem out of place for your beloved ball of fur. Owners know their pets and when usual behavior starts to happen, it’s a good indication that something is amiss.

1. Skittishness, snapping and biting actions for a dog that is usually passive or friendly should be a cause for concern.

2. Sudden changes in behavior or mood swings which can cause a once lovable animal to become unsociable or if they just want to be alone could be a sign of health issues.

Many times these are the initial indications of a dog allergy and if not addressed, will soon be followed by noticeable physical symptoms.

3. Physical symptoms can be as subtle as your dog grooming themselves much more than usual or more pronounced as skin that has red spots or loss of hair.

4. Excessive sneezing. Just like humans, dogs sneeze and the action can be simply a bit of dust up the nose or the reaction to an allergy.  Once is a while is not a concern but if they persist consistently then further investigation is required.

5. Watery eyes. If your dog’s eyes have the tell tale signs of tear stains they can be a result of allergic reactions.

6. Low energy. For a pet that is normally active and lively, a sudden drop in activity coupled with other symptoms can be a trigger point for allergies.

7. Fever. Dogs can run a fever just like people. When your pet is running hot it is usually partnered with they lying around and sleeping more than usual.

8. Respiratory problems. Labored breathing can be a sign of lung allergies caused by a number of different things from excess pollen, dust, allergic reactions to anything from poor quality dog food to even grass.

As with most symptoms such as allergies, leaving them alone for too long is never a wise policy. Dogs that experience excessive vomiting, diarrhea or a sudden loss of appetite should be given a check up to see if the cause is a dog allergy or something more serious, but when the prognosis is a dog allergy; the solution is easy and affordable.

COMPLICATIONS:

As with many other symptoms that are precursors for more complicated illnesses, dog allergies can manifest into greater problems. Because an allergic reaction is the body’s immune system fighting against the pathogenic invasion of foreign bodies whose objective is the destruction of its host, allergic causes can weaken healthy dogs creating a myriad of disease and sickness. Left untreated these seemingly innocuous symptoms often develop and compound.

1. Infections. Staphylococcal infections are one of the more common infections that can stem from allergies. Although not generally contagious between dogs or their owners, this type of infection is often started by hot spots and rashes that are left to fester.  The loss of hair, which can become infected by the dog’s itching and scratching, will develop into minor infection and not treated will produce further complications.

2. Yeast infections. Second on the list of common allergies that can directly affect the skin, yeast are bred in high temperature, high moisture areas which are required for yeast to grow. Unlike yeast infections in humans, canine yeast infections are not generally caused due to an over use of antibiotic medications.  Usually found in the wet and greasy areas such as the folds of the neck, around the lips, inner ears, the axilla and in between the toes, the growth will cause persistent itching and irritation.

3. Respiratory allergies due to inhaling dust or as a reaction to pollen, grasses or even tainted food, can develop into greater lung problems and sinus illnesses. Constant irritation from allergens can damage air sacs and blood vessels causing greater strain on lung function and breathing ducts.

4. Allergies that affect the skin will cause the animal to scratch, lick and bite the irritated area, sometimes until it bleeds. Raw and broken skin is an open invitation to bad bacteria and other harmful organisms that might not usually gain access to the inner system had the skin remained intact and unaffected.

5. Fleas bites break the skin and the flea’s toxicity can seep under the epidermal layers creating irritation and infections. Your dog’s biting of flea bites, although may give then temporary relief will only serve to make the situation worse. Some types of dogs are more prone to fleas and animals that are in environments where the can have contact with toxic elements, put the pet in further risk of compounding the problems.

PREVENTION:             

The primary recourse for preventing allergies is to maintain and healthy pet.  Dog allergies generally gain a hold when their immune system, the first line of defense, is weakened. This can come from a variety of sources such as poor diet, lack of exercise, injury and/or sickness. Your dog’s natural defense is their own body’s ability to fend off against minor infections and irritations. If this first line is broken more severe damage is done and it becomes a slippery slope.

Keeping pets clean and brushed helps them maintain and healthy skin, one that is strong and able to heal from small scratches. Little surface lacerations that get clogged with dirt often become reddened and can develop into infections that will cause further complications.

Proper nutrition is vital for a strong immune system which is the key factor for all around health and vitality.  Good food that isn’t filled with grains and “meat by-products” will go a long way in stopping allergies from ever invading the intestinal track where they can burrow in and generate secondary illnesses.  In addition to your dog’s food, giving them a quality vitamin supplement can help boost their internal defenses and provide nutrition for blood, bone and skin.

NuVet Plus is the safe, fast way to eliminate dog allergies once and for all. Recommended by over 20,000 top breeders and veterinarians, NuVet Plus can wipe away a lifetime of dog allergies in just weeks and keep your pet healthy and protected against allergens – for the rest of their lives.

NuVet Plus is produced in an FDA approved laboratory used to produce human pharmaceuticals. The use of this kind of high-tech, superior quality manufacturing facility is unheard of in the pet industry but NuVet Labs knows that no greater value can be placed on our beloved four legged member of the family. 

NuVet Plus is 100% guaranteed for purity, safety and effectiveness. As one of the oldest and most respected companies in the pet industry, NuVet Labs pledges that our NuVet Plus product will eliminate or dramatically reduce your dog’s allergy symptoms within weeks or we’ll refund your purchase. With more than 12 years of service and reliability to our customers and over a million pets helped in their quest for health and vitality, NuVet Labs proudly offers our Risk Free Guarantee for the world’s most revolutionary solution to dog allergies – NuVet Plus.

NuVet Plus – quality, assurance combined with safety and effectiveness provides your special pet with the kind of health giving care they deserve.

REMEDY/TREATMENT:

Fundamentally the first line of any remedy is to ensure your dog has a proper diet and balanced nutrition. Providing good food that is full of quality protein and low on grains, corn and possibly tainted meat by-products is paramount for your pet to achieve a healthy digestive system and strong immune system. Supplementing their diet with a vitamin supplement that has been engineered to support vital organs and has ingredients that can attack disease causing free radicals can make a big difference in their battle against infections.

Nutritional supplements that contain a rich supply of vitamins, mineral and essential enzymes offer a matrix of antioxidants that help protect your pet’s body from the ravages of opportunistic organisms, free radicals and chemicals that assault them on a daily basis. Formulas that contain quality calcium, a full range of amino acids, Blue Green Algae as one its source of protein and chlorophyll plus L Methionine as an essential amino acid that help to detoxify the blood stream. L Methionine is has also been shown to help allergies by reducing histamine release which can cause your dog’s eyes to turn red and watery. 

As with any vitamin and nutritional supplement, the quality of ingredients combined with the manufacturing process is what determines how effective it will be for your pet. Supplement makers that are willing to put in the time to develop a truly scientifically based formula that has been clinically tested for positive results are the only kind to consider.  But is should also be noted that superior formulation can only go as far as the processing practices will take them.  Companies that use human grade ingredients begin on the best foot and when combined with manufacturing operations that are approved for human products production by the FDA, this equates to a supplement that goes beyond mere commercial value. It shows a company that puts the health of your pet ahead of everything else.