When people suffer from allergies, the symptoms are quite obvious.  Sneezing, flu-like signs, sudden appearance of rashes, and the likes are the common human allergic reactions.  Dog allergy symptoms, on the other hand, are more difficult to pinpoint because dog behaviour is very much different from ours.

However, a close observation of the signs that our dogs exhibit will help us come up with an educated approximation as to what may be bothering them.

The Common Dog Allergy Symptoms

The following dog allergy symptoms may not be dog allergy symptoms at all.  They may indicate conditions other than allergen-triggered problems.  However, these are the commonly observed manifestations when it comes to dogs suffering from allergies.

These commonly observed dog allergy symptoms are classified into 3 groups of allergies.

The following are dog allergy symptoms caused by skin allergens:

- Dog sneezes a lot.  How much is “a lot?”  Observe the sneezing dog for ten minutes.  If he sneezes more than 5 times within the said period, then chances are, he may be suffering from a cold or he may be suffering from an allergy.
- Dog starts to cough, and the cough is accompanied by intermittent sneezes.
- Dog’s eyes start to become watery, and such a symptom is accompanied by either sneezing, coughing or both.

The following are dog allergy symptoms caused by inhaled allergens:

- Dog starts to itch at an alarming frequency.  That a dog will scratch a spot or two is normal.  But if the dog scratches multiple spots most of the time, then something may be triggering the itch.
- Dog starts to bite his tail with alarming frequency.
- Dog starts to develop rashes, which often start to manifest on the area underneath the point where his legs are attached to his torso.  The area around his ears can also be starting points of such irritation.

The Following are dog allergy symptoms caused by ingested allergens:

- Dog starts to vomit.
- Dog acquires diarrhea.
- Dog starts to cough or choke up.

Determining Dog Allergy Symptoms Will Help Us Determine The Type Of Relief Needed

Dog allergy symptoms caused by skin allergens will tell us that preventive measures should be taken to eliminate substances which tend to irritate our dogs’ skin.  Fleas are the usual suspects.  Hence, anti-flea products should be resorted to.  Anti-flea products come in many forms.  Flea collars, flea sprays, and flea shampoos are just some of the popular types of anti-flea solutions in the market today.  Efforts to eliminate fleas should be doubled during summer because such is the season when fleas multiply at a frightening rate.

Dog allergy symptoms caused by inhaled allergens tell us that we should clean the areas that our dogs frequent.  Vacuum cleaning is a recommended solution, as this will get rid of the microscopic substances that may be triggering the allergies.

Dog allergy symptoms caused by ingested allergens tell us that we should closely monitor our dog’s diet and change certain delicacies which our canine companions may not be receptive to.

In all cases, a visit to the vet will ensure that proper determination and treatment of the canine allergy will be achieved.

Remember that if you suspect there is something wrong with your dog ALWAYS take it to the vet immediately. The information in this article was not written by a vet and should not be taken as medical advice.

1. A Change in Behaviour
If your dog is noticeably acting different to usual then this could be a sign there is something wrong. In some cases this could be anxiety or another emotion over a situation change, but in general behaviour changes indicate pain or an illness. As you know your dog better than anyone it should be obvious if your dogs behaviour changes, but it always helps to keep an eye out. Especially look for signs of fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of balance or anxiety.

If your dogs behaviour change lasts for more than a couple of days then you should always visit the vet to get a professional opinion.

2. Signs Of Pain
If your dogs shows obvious discomfort by biting or licking a certain area repeatedly then this could also be a sign of illness or pain. A dog in pain may also cry out or whine. Sometimes this will cause a change in behaviour too.

This symptom of pain in dogs is often caused by an injury but can also be caused by various illnesses. You should always visit your vet if your dog is in pain.

3. General Illness Symptoms
Apart from the way the dog acts there are many other external symptoms of illness. These include red eyes or swelling, ear discharge, a runny nose, coughing, diarrhoea, hair loss, weight loss, vomiting and many more. If you regularly groom your dog then you should notice these problems quickly. Once you do notice them visit a vet immediately to get a diagnosis.

If your dog is ill then the medical costs can be huge and difficult to pay. For that reason you should consider getting pet insurance. It can be a real help when your dog gets ill, so don’t overlook it.

Signs Of Canine Stroke

Like humans dog strokes can be extremely sudden and unexpected, but the actual signs are usually different to humans once the stroke has taken place. It’s possible that if you weren’t around to witness the stroke that you won’t realise it ever happened. These are the things to look out for that may indicate a canine stroke:

• Blindness in one or both eyes
• A change in the behaviour patterns of the dog. You’ll know your dog better than anyone, so if the dog is acting in a strange way it may mean there is something wrong.
• Trouble with balance
• Head tilted and possibly not being able to walk in a straight line but in circles
• Confusion in directions (i.e. when called)

If you notice any of these symptoms it could be a sign of a canine stroke. Even if it isn’t it’s still important to take your dog to the vet straight away to get a proper diagnosis.

Your vet will also be able to advise you on treatment for the stroke symptoms. These usually centre on fixing the original cause to make sure another stroke doesn’t take place. In many cases the dog will recover well from a stroke, although this isn’t always the case and in severe cases a stroke may cause death.

Knowing what the signs of canine stroke are can make a huge difference to your dogs chances. The earlier you can get your dog to the vet the better if you suspect a stroke has taken place.

Chances are, your canine companion is infected with tapeworms.

What Are Canine Tapeworms?

Canine tapeworms are one of the most common parasites that a dog can acquire. They attach themselves to the dog’s intestine, competing for the nutrients from the food that the dog takes in.

During the early stages of infestation, the dog may exhibit a more voracious appetite to compensate for the nutrients he’s losing. Latter stages of the infestation would produce an inverse effect, however, as the dog may become lethargic and may refuse to eat.

Canine tapeworms can be as short as 2 centimeters to as long as 2 inches.

How Do Dogs Get Canine Tapeworms?

Dogs often acquire canine tapeworms by coming in contact with wastes left behind by rats, mice, rabbits and other rodents that are favorite targets of these parasites.

However, most dogs acquire canine tapeworms via the fleas they manage to ingest. Fleas are common problems for many dogs, and all it takes is a single flea infected with tapeworm to start an infestation inside the dog’s system.

The Dangers Of Canine Tapeworms

Though a mild infestation is generally harmless, canine tapeworms are nevertheless parasitic in nature, competing for essential nutrients, which may in turn deprive your beloved pet of the daily requirements he needs for a healthy life.

Severe cases of canine tapeworm infestation will cause either chronic diarrhea or constipation. Diarrhea may lead to dehydration. Constipation may lead to intestinal and liver problems. Either manifestation should warrant an appointment with the vet.

In some instances, dogs that have severe infestations of canine tapeworms become lethargic. Their level of activity suddenly drops, and it would seem that they don’t have an appetite for anything that you will prepare for them.

These perils are in addition to the very annoying feeling of anal itch that your dog has to endure.

Truly, canine tapeworms must be eliminated as soon as an infestation is discovered to prevent graver consequences. Getting rid of these parasites is quite simple, and there is no reason why their extermination should be postponed.

How To Know If Your Dog Has Canine Tapeworms

Dogs suffering from an infestation of canine tapeworms usually exhibit the following symptoms:

1. The aforementioned itchiness of the anal area which is manifested by the dog’s attempts to relieve himself of such irritation.

2. Canine tapeworm segments, usually in the shape and size of a grain of rice, that are attached to the dog’s stool. They have a whitish color.

3. Newly segmented tapeworms found on the dog’s stool. Sometimes, they may still be alive.

4. Canine tapeworm eggs can likewise be found in the dog’s tool. You can drop a stool sample on water, and if eggs are there, they should float to the surface.

5. Chronic diarrhea that lasts for at least a week; or constipation that lasts for at least 4 days.

6. Lethargy, though such an occurrence is rare. Loss of appetite may be a symptom, but it is often a consequence of lethargic behavior.

If your dog shows any two of the above symptoms, we can say with relative certainty that his system has been infested by canine tapeworms.

What To Do When Your Dog Has Canine Tapeworms?

An ounce of prevention, of course, is always worth more than a pound of cure. Fleas are the number one causes of the threat of canine tapeworms, hence, getting rid of fleas should be the first step. There are many flea-eliminating solutions available in the market, ranging from sprays to air fresheners to worn collars to soap and shampoo.

There are home remedies, most definitely, but because there are many variables at play, each of them entails some risks.

Some dog owners suggest sprinkling garlic powder over the dog’s food or burying a clove of garlic near the dog’s favorite spot. Tapeworms are said to abhor garlic, and garlic-laden food will starve them to death.

There are over-the-counter medications available as well. Tapeworm tablets are the most popular, with Droncit Canine Cestocide and Tape Worm Tabs being the leading brands.

If the dog has already been infected by canine tapeworms, the best approach is to bring him to the vet. The stage of the infestation can only be determined via professional diagnosis. The vet is the only person who can tell for certain the extent of the infestation as well as the best treatment or treatments for the same.

I’ve heard that Parvo is a common disease amongst dogs. What are dog Parvo symptoms and what are the effects of a dog getting Parvo?

Carrie

First of all, you should try to make sure your dog gets all his Parvo immunisations. The virus can be stopped in the majority of cases by getting the dog vaccinated at the right age. Once Parvo has been contracted there is almost nothing you can do, but if you see the following symptoms make sure you take your dog to the vet immediately.

Canine Parvovirus usually exhibits the following symptoms within 6-10 days of contracting the virus.

• Vomiting – causes dehydration in the dog
• Diarrhoea – again causes dehydration. The diarrhoea is also often bloody
• The dog will become lethargic and not his usualy self
• The dog may also run a fever

Because the dehydration of the dog can cause death, you should immediately take your pet to the vet if you see these symptoms who’ll try to re-hydrate the dog and give it the essential electrolytes lost.

As always, if you are in any doubt as to your dogs health you should contact a registered vet immediately.

Thanks,

Richard Cross