Tip! These substances are well-known for causing allergies. Different factors determine the levels of these substances on a regular basis.

Many pet owners find themselves or other family members allergic to their pets. This is most true with cats:a great number of people just can’t handle being around cats without sneezing, wheezing, or itching. Even though some will advise you to get rid of your pet, this is not usually necessary. In fact, a well known tranquilizer may help combat your pet allergies. The tranquilizer, acepromazine, is used by many veterinarians in their practices. It serves as a mild sedative and works best as an adjunct to anesthesia and to keep pets quiet postoperatively. Unfortunately it is also (incorrectly) used to treat various phobias such as storm phobias. It does NOT relieve anxiety in the pet by actually increases anxiety by making the pet immobile; better treatments exist for various phobias in pets.

Tip! Unfortunately, food allergies are blamed for close to 200 deaths every year. Scientists say that allergies have to do with genetics.

Several years ago someone came up with the idea of trying it in a homeopathic form to treat people who have allergies to their pets. The acepromazine is prepared in such a way as to make it extremely dilute. This diluted form is placed on a pet’s food one or more times daily. If it works, the allergic person stops having symptoms when in the pet’s presence. Does it really work? I can say a definite YES after having used it for many years. Does it always work? Unfortunately not. In my experience I would say that most (80%) cases in which I’ve prescribed it have been successfully resolved. In many of these cases the pet, usually a cat, was going to be given away because the owner’s allergies were so bad. When it works, it literally can save a pet’s life. No one really knows why it works. However, since most allergies to pets occur from allergens in the pet’s saliva (and to some extent the pet’s skin cells and hair cells,) the homeopathic preparation must remove, reduce, or bind the allergens that cause the discomfort in the allergic owners.

Tip! Harold Miller used to suffer from allergies until he took it upon himself to get educated. While Harold still has the occasional bout, he has learned many ways to improve his allergies and as a result enjoys serving as a contributing editor at allergyrelief101.

For people who experience pet allergies, I would certainly suggest trying it on their pet’s food. I have never seen side effects (and would not really ever expect any due to the dilute homeopathic nature of the product,) and there is no aversive taste to the product.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier is the author of 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog, The Allergy Solution for Dogs, and the award-winning The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats. Dr. Shawn is the medical consultant for Pet Togethers, a pet supplement company.

http://www.pettogethers.net/healthypet

http://www.petcarenaturally.com

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Tip! Another strange thing about allergies is that they are never predictable. They might disappear for no apparent reason and reappear when one least expects them to.

Does your dog have allergies? It is interesting how dogs experience many of the health issues that humans do, including allergies.

Dog allergies can include skin allergies, dog food allergies (particularly corn and soy), house dust and dust mites, ragweed, molds, pollens and others.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Dog Allergies

Common signs and symptoms of dog allergies include your dog licking her paws, scratching her body or pawing at her ears (due to inflammation). In severe cases, you dog may have oozing hot spots on her body. Allergies may be seasonable or your pet may suffer all year round, depending on the allergen.

How to Avoid Allergens

Avoiding allergens should be the first step in treating your dog’s allergies. If you suspect your dog may have allergies, see your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Tip! Many medicines are available to fight allergies. The doctor only can prescribe medicines for some though most of them could be bought over the counter from a drugstore.

If you dog is allergic to dust mites, vets suggest you use a plastic cover over your dog’s bed, use a waterproof liner to keep mites from getting in the bed, avoid letting your dog on upholstered furniture and avoid stuffed animals. Dogs with dust mite allergies do best in uncarpeted rooms. Be sure to vacuum very frequently.

If you dog has allergic reactions to pollens, keep him out of fields and tall grasses. Keep your lawn cut short and keep your dog indoors during days with high pollen counts.

How Are Allergies Treated in Dogs?

Tip! Dog allergies can include skin allergies, dog food allergies (particularly corn and soy), house dust and dust mites, ragweed, molds, pollens and others.

Typically, mild allergies are treated with soothing shampoos liked oatmeal shampoo, vitamins containing essential fatty acids to help stop itching and keep skin from getting dry. Hydrocortisone spray or shampoo may also help to relieve itching. Check with your vet for other recommendations.

Best Dog Breeds If YOU Have Allergies

If you suffer from dog allergies, the following dog breeds may be a good choice for you because they don’t shed much, or have hair rather than fur: Terriers, Chinese Crested (hairless), Italian Greyhound, Maltese (has coat similar to human hair), Shih Tzu (has hair rather than fur), Poodle (little shedding). Other popular low-breeds are crosses with Poodles such as the Cockapoo and Labradoodle. Keep in mind that no dog is completely non-shedding, except perhaps hairless breeds!

Valerie Goettsch is web master of My Favorite Dog, a website featuring dozens of articles and information on where to find the best of everything for your dog, from flea meds to beds, training and designer dog clothes.

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Tip! Ironically, however, pets also are commonly afflicted with stubborn allergies that are a source of much distress–and expense–for their owners. And, very commonly–just as with their owners–medical interventions that mainly focus on treating the symptoms are quite ineffective.

Many people may not realize that dogs, just like human beings, can suffer from allergies. In fact, about twenty percent of the dogs in the United States alone suffer from allergy at any one time, with flea allergy dermatitis being the most common form of allergy in dogs. Other types include atopic dermatitis, inhalant allergies, and food allergies.

Signs and symptoms of dog allergies may vary but are often marked by persistent itching and discoloration of the skin (most common with skin allergies), coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and mucus discharge (most common with inhalant allergies), and nausea, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea (common with food allergies.)

Over-the-counter preparations and treatments for common dog allergies exist and may be purchased at any good pet supply store, but care should be taken when choosing such treatments. Consultation with a vet is the best first course of action for several reasons. First of all, what you think is an allergic reaction may actually be signs of a more serious ailment and a vet should be the one to determine whether that is the case. Secondly, if the allergy is severe enough, over-the-counter treatments may not be sufficient to treat the symptoms. There is also the chance that the dog does not have an allergy at all. The last thing you want to do is medicate your pet unnecessarily.

Tip! If your immune system is too weak to fight off the allergies, you will end up suffering for a good part of the year. Your immune system may be weak for a couple of reasons.

If you do think your dog has some type of allergy, consult your vet. He or she will be able to perform tests to determine whether an allergic condition exists, how severe it is, and what the appropriate treatment should be. If the dog has an allergy to certain foods, it will be imperative to restrict the animal’s diet to eliminate those items that cause a reaction. The vet’s testing methods can help to determine whether this type of allergy exists as well. If the dog has flea allergy dermatitis (an allergic reaction to the saliva of fleas, rather than to the insects themselves), an strict flea prevention regimen will be recommended.

Tip! These substances are well-known for causing allergies. Different factors determine the levels of these substances on a regular basis.

The vet may also recommend cortisone or steroids. Many vets are conventionally trained and do not offer holistic alternatives, which can be just as good as the toxic drugs which vets routinely prescribe. So before you accept your vet’s recommendations for drugs, do investigate the alternatives:

1. Natural Flea Treatments

2. Natural Worm Treatments

3. Detoxification of Your Dog’s System if your dog has taken toxic drugs or been exposed to chemicals (household cleaners, insecticides, etc.) in the past.

4. Past steroid use may have compromised Your Dog’s Immune System (characterized by such chronic illness as Lyme’s Disease and many others). Your dog’s immune system can also be boosted by natural means.

Tip! Another strange thing about allergies is that they are never predictable. They might disappear for no apparent reason and reappear when one least expects them to.

5. Treat your dog’s skin allergies naturally from the inside and out.

You should always discuss your intentions with your vet, when proceeding with any new regime, whether natural or otherwise, but knowledge is power. And being armed with the knowledge of the harm that conventional medicines can cause, and the effectiveness of holistic, natural, alternative methods, will stand you in good stead. Many vets are open to such alternatives when asked directly about them by a pet owner who has done research and is looking for a more natural way of dealing with illness, and this case specifically, allergies, in their dog.

Just like humans, dogs that suffer from various allergies can live comfortably with them if they are detected and treated properly. It is important to bear in mind that this is not a time to “play doctor” by attempting to diagnose and treat a possible allergic condition yourself. Only your veterinarian is qualified to determine whether your dog is suffering from allergies. What course of action to take, however, may well be a matter for discussion between you and your vet.

Tip! Many medicines are available to fight allergies. The doctor only can prescribe medicines for some though most of them could be bought over the counter from a drugstore.

(c) 2006, Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs

Brigitte Smith is a dog lover with a special interest in natural dog health, including:

Natural Flea and Worm Treatments
Immune Support for Your Dog

Skin Allergies

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