Issue 3
Tony
Talks: A New Column Featuring
Our Canine Resident
Tony
is our 14-year-old dachshund-chihuahua mix who lives at the clinic.
He came here from an animal shelter two years ago for a consultation
on his skin. He had next to no hair and was constantly scratching.
He has had skin biopsies, allergy testing, skin scrapes, and other
diagnostics
done. He is allergic to fleas, certain foods, and various weeds
and grasses. He may also have contact allergies to the carpeting.
He
came to stay at the clinic for his testing, and well, he just never
left! He is very happy here.
What
are allergies?
Allergies are an over-reaction of the immune system to an “allergen."
An “allergen” is a substance or material that causes a reaction
in an allergic patient, while not affecting the nonallergic one.
Allergens can be inhaled, ingested, or come in contact with the
skin.
In
many ways, Tony is typical of many dogs with allergies. His allergies
started many years ago when he was younger, and have gotten worse
over the years. He is allergic to many different things. He also
has a thyroid hormone imbalance that is common in dogs with allergies.
He is now on a thyroid supplement, and his hair has grown back.
How
would you know if your dog has allergies?
Many times the symptoms and timing can suggest allergies as a cause.
However, there are other conditions that can lead to itching, and
your veterinarian is the best one to consult. Allergy testing can
be done to confirm and identify the triggers for your dog’s allergies.
Tony
recently had blood tests done which showed he is allergic to ragweed,
molds, thistle, cedar, oak trees and several different types of
food.
 What
can be done to help your dog if he/she has allergies? Ideally,
avoiding those things that your pet is allergic to is the best thing.
However, most dogs with allergies react to so many different allergens,
that avoidance is not realistic. Other options include Antihistamines,
essential fatty acids, medicated shampoos, hypoallergenic food trials,
corticosteroids, and allergy shots. Choosing the right combination
for your pet is a decision for you and your veterinarian to make
together.
Allergies
are rarely “cured." The goal is control, making your pet as
comfortable as possible.
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