If you were to ask your favorite vet, he is likely to tell you that skin allergies in dogs are on the rise. According to a number of recent surveys, as many as one out of seven dogs in the US suffer from some form of skin allergy. To make matters worse, these numbers are expected to continue rising for the foreseeable future.
In order for your dog to develop an allergy, he must be exposed to an allergen at least twice. The first time he is exposed to the allergen, his immune system will begin to manufacture a host of antibodies that are supposed to deal with the allergens. After the second exposure, his body will begin to release the antihistamines that are responsible for the allergic reactions you see.
Dogs React Differently Than Humans
When the average human being has an allergic reaction, the first place the symptoms tend to appear is in …show more content…
The actual allergic reaction is caused by the saliva that is secreted by a flea when it bites. Fleas do not always host on the dogs, but often end up in carpets and furniture. For this reason do not assume that just because you cannot see fleas on your dog, it means that they are not causing his allergies. If you rule out other causes for your dog’s allergies you may want to treat him and your house for fleas to see if they are the cause of your dog’s discomfort.
Just like humans, dogs can be highly allergic to many of the things they breathe in from their surrounding environment. This can include things such as dust, pollen, molds, and grasses. These types of allergies are considered to be the second most common form of skin allergies in dogs. Symptoms can and will manifest on practically every inch of skin on your dog's body. If you do not treat these symptoms very quickly, they can result in your dog losing large areas of