It’s not uncommon for dogs to develop an allergy to parasites like fleas and ticks. Known as Parasite Allergy, this problem is common in numerous dog breeds, including Golden Retrievers, Jack Russell Terriers, Dalmatians, Rottweilers, and Irish Setters.
Here, we will look at some tell-tale signs that indicate parasite allergy in your dog.
Scratching or Chewing at Irritated Areas
When your pet is itching or scratching, it’s essential to know whether they’re simply trying to relieve a harmless irritation or if they are experiencing an allergic reaction. A parasitic infection can also cause itchiness, so it’s essential to determine whether your pet has an allergy or not.
The best way to tell is by looking at the areas that your pet has been biting or scratching. If there are no visible wounds on their skin and fur, they likely have allergies or parasites instead of infections.
Regardless of the cause, preventing excessive itching in dogs is vital for their own safety. Pruritus or the itching sensation in dogs can make them scratch and bite themselves. Hence, it can deepen the wound and lead to several complications.
There are several ways to prevent itching, but one of the best ways is to use a medication. You can use FDA-approved Apoquel for dogs to relieve itching sensation and calm down your pup.
Apoquel will prevent the itching signals by targeting your dog’s nervous system. Once your dog calms down, you can take it to a vet for further examination. Also, don’t forget to let the vet know of any medication you have given to your dog.
Continuous Licking of Paws or Base of the Tail
A dog who licks his paws or the base of his tail excessively may have a parasite allergy. As you might imagine, this can lead to many problems: hair loss, skin infections, and more. If your dog has been licking himself excessively for more than a week—or if he’s displaying any symptoms like inflammation or rashes—it’s time to get him checked out by a vet.
The first step in determining whether or not your pet has parasites is looking at their stool sample. We’ll recommend immediate action if it shows signs of worms or other parasites like tapeworms.
While plenty of over-the-counter treatments are available, it is best to visit a professional vet and get the dog diagnosed. Early diagnosis will help with quick treatment and prevent any complications.
Red, Inflamed Skin
Your pet’s skin can be a source of constant irritation. Your dog may incessantly scratch and lick its paws, causing redness that can quickly progress to raw patches of skin. This is usually a result of fleas or other parasites like ticks, but it could also indicate that they have a parasite allergy.
If you notice redness, itching, and irritation in your pet’s skin, especially after bathing, talk to your veterinarian about testing for parasites because this could indicate that they’re allergic to them.
While it’s important not to panic if you see these symptoms in your cat or dog—it could indicate something as simple as flea allergies—you should still take them in for a checkup at the vet just in case!
Hot Spots
Hot spots are an area of inflammation in the skin. They can be caused by scratching, chewing, and other forms of self-harm. Hot spots may be caused by a parasite allergy, food allergy, flea allergy, or yeast infection.
If your pet has a parasite allergy that causes hot spots, your veterinarian will likely prescribe an antihistamine to treat the problem. An antihistamine works by reducing itching and swelling associated with allergic reactions. You should also consider switching your pet’s diet to one explicitly made for allergic animals if you think they could also have food allergies.
Head-Shaking
If your dog is constantly shaking its head, it may indicate irritation. The most common causes of this are allergies, colds, and even brain tumors. Thankfully, it’s easy to tell the difference between these possibilities using your pet’s behavior when they’re feeling itchy.
If they’re scratching at their ear but not shaking their head after they scratch themselves, then the chances are that something else is bothering them. However, if they start shaking their heads after scratching themselves once or twice—it’s probably just allergies!
Nasal Congestion
If your pet has nasal congestion, they will likely have a runny nose and may sneeze frequently. You might also notice that they are breathing through their mouths. Nasal congestion can be caused by allergies or parasites and is often accompanied by watery eyes and a cough.
If you suspect your pet has nasal congestion, there are several ways to treat the problem. Allergies can be treated with antihistamines or steroids like prednisone, which reduce inflammation in the body. If parasites are causing your pet’s symptoms, medication can be used to eliminate them from their system entirely.
Preventing future problems is also essential—if you know that your pet suffers from seasonal allergies or multiple parasitic infections over time, talk with your vet about allergy shots or deworming treatments, so they’re better prepared next year!
Red, Watery Eyes
Red, watery eyes are a sign of parasite allergy. The symptoms can vary depending on the cause, but parasites are often the culprit. Parasites include fleas and mites on your pet’s skin or fur. They spread by biting into their host’s skin and sucking out blood while they’re there.
Pets can also suffer from parasite infections if they swallow too much-infected food or water, like giardia in a swimming pool or ponds where dogs urinate frequently and thus transfer feces from elsewhere.
Conclusion
Parasite allergy is a common ailment for canines that shouldn’t be ignored. Make sure you pay attention to your dog’s skin condition and consult with your veterinarian as soon as you notice anything out of the ordinary. And remember to always be on the lookout for ticks and fleas—not only are they annoying, but they can cause even bigger problems if left unchecked. The good news is that proper treatment can effectively manage parasite allergy in most dogs.
Leave a Reply