South Africans are fortunate in that they enjoy a balmy climate for most of the year. However, as a result of our warm weather the high risk period for allergy sufferers can extend for up to nine months of the year. What many of us don’t realise is that humans are not the only ones to suffer from allergies - man’s best friend is at risk as well.
Dr Guy Fyvie, Veterinary Affairs Manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, says, it's important not to forget your dog when you are establishing your allergy fighting plan. “Environmental allergens pose an invisible but constant nuisance to many dogs. More than 50% of allergies in dogs are caused by the world around them – pollens, moulds and house dust mites can be found anywhere and in any season. The good news is that there are numerous small, simple changes that we can introduce to help to eliminate or reduce the signs and irritation of our dog’s allergies.”
Dr Fyvie recommends 4 steps to take care of your dog and help prevent allergies:
- Keep your dog's coat healthy.
If your dog is suffering from an allergic environmental reaction it is recommended that you bathe your dog in cold water. For really bad cases this is recommended three times a week. This will help to calm itchy irritated skin and can reduce allergens in the coat. Again, if you are in a drought stricken area a sponge bath with a bottle of still mineral water will help. While plain water is often just fine if you are washing your dog, make sure you are using the right products.
“There are a few pet friendly hypoallergenic and gentle medicated shampoos available from your Vet. Make use of these or if you use a dog parlour make sure they are using the right soaps for your pooch. Also, invest in some dog grooming wipes which can remove loose hair, dirt and odour causing bacteria from your dog’s fur,” says Dr Fyvie.
- Conduct tests with your vet. The cause of the allergy may not always be obvious but there are several tests that your vet can perform which identify what your dog is allergic to. Dr. Schissler, an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Colorado State University, USA has a diagnostic path that includes 5 steps for determining what allergies are affecting your dog. Your veterinarian will be able to assist you in implementing these tests and providing you with a treatment plan.
- Test 1 – Flea comb for fleas. Flea treatment is critical when managing itchy pets. Flea allergies can leave dogs with itchy skin that they just can’t stop scratching. The scratching damages the skin and other allergens can then penetrate, perpetuating the allergy. Bacteria can then enter, potentially leading to infections, creating a vicious cycle that is notoriously difficult to eliminate or control. It’s important to treat fleas with oral or topical veterinary approved products and to treat the dog’s environment at the same time.
- Test 2 – Skin Cytology: This is a non-invasive pluck or smear test which looks at skin cells under a microscope and can quickly identify bacterial and yeast infections.
- Test 3 – Skin scraping: This is a commonly performed test which is used most commonly to diagnose parasites like mites and fungal infections. Your dog’s skin is scraped with a blade, often after the fur has been shaved off in the area.
- Test 4 – Fungal Culture: This is where vets collect a hair sample from your dog either through plucking or gently scraping the skin surface around the affected lesion. It can help to identify whether a skin lesion is caused by fungal infections like ringworm.
- Test 5 – Food trial: A well-performed elimination food trial is necessary to diagnose and differentiate food allergy from environmental allergies. “Food allergies are actually not as common as often thought in pets,” says Dr Fyvie, “even though we as humans have seen an increase in our own food intolerance over the years.” A successful food trial requires a big commitment from pet parents because their dog can eat absolutely nothing other than the prescribed food for 8-12 weeks.
- Wash your dog’s bed/s. “Yes some dog owners spoil their dogs with more than one bed! Wash them every second week in a washing machine on the hottest programme, that won’t cause damage to the beds. If they don’t fit into your washing machine, a really good hand wash will work just as well. Make sure they dry properly before your dog uses them again,” says Dr Fyvie. “If you are living in the Western Cape or other drought affected areas, rather vacuum your pets’ beds twice a week.
- Feed your dog the right food. Professor of Companion Animal Clinical Studies at Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital, Andrew Leisewitz, says that by just changing your dog’s food, they can experience a significant difference. “I saw a really terrible atopic case on the verge of requiring a last resort removal of the ear canal due to swelling and environmental allergies. However, after just a month of changing the dog over to Hill’s Prescription Diet Derm Defense the pet came off all cortisone medication and has remained well controlled.”
Controlling what your dog eats, maintaining a healthy coat, reducing their exposure to allergens and conducting the right tests with your vet, will go a long way to ensuring that your dog remains healthy and doesn’t suffer during the hottest months of the year,” says Dr Fyvie.
Hill's Prescription Diet Derm Complete Dry Dog Food provides all the nutrition your dog needs and can be used long term. Please consult your veterinarian for further information on how our Prescription Diet foods can help your dog to continue to enjoy a happy and active life.
*The only dietetic nutritional solution for both food and environmental allergies in dogs supported by 3 clinical studies.
Notes:
*Hill’s Prescription Diet Derm Defense is formulated with HistaGuard™ Complex, a proprietary blend of antioxidants, phytonutrients, including quercetin and rich in Omega-3 & 6 fatty acids that help fortify the skin barrier to block environmental allergens, disrupt the internal allergy response, break the vicious itch scratch cycle and create a healthy skin & coat.
