Pathology
- Allergic dermatitis
Allergic reactions towards food, fleas or allergens (such as pollens, moulds or mites) in the environment can cause serious symptoms such as skin problems and/or gastrointestinal problems in dogs. If your dog is allergic, the allergy itself can often not be cured, but with the right measures your dog can be maintained without symptoms and can live a long and healthy life.
Different types of allergy
Food allergy
Dogs with food allergy show an adverse reaction towards certain components, often proteins, (‘allergens') in the diet. Symptoms of food allergy can be prevented by a special diet (a so-called hypoallergenic diet), which does not contain the allergen to which the dog reacts. Such a hypoallergenic diet is composed of a limited number of ingredients, which are either new to the dog or based on hydrolysed proteins. Hydrolysed proteins are proteins which are split into very small pieces so that the dog's immune system does not recognize them as an allergen anymore.
Atopy
Dogs with atopy react against allergens in the environment (such as pollens, moulds or mites). Sufficient avoidance of exposure to these allergens is generally not possible. However, some atopic dogs can be successfully treated with allergen-specific immunotherapy (‘hyposensibilisation'). In the other atopic dogs, therapy is aimed at the relief of symptoms. Traditionally, medication with corticosteroids or anti-histamines has been used to control skin problems in atopic dogs. Unfortunately, long-term use can have side-effects. A good alternative for the relief of symptoms in atopic dogs is a diet with very high levels of fatty acids from fish oil and borage oil, which can dampen the inflammatory reaction.
Flea allergy
Flea allergy is caused by an allergic reaction towards allergens in the flea's saliva. Exposure to flea allergens can be prevented by strict flea control on the dog and its environment.
Contact allergy
Contact allergy is an allergic reaction upon skin contact with an item in the environment, such as a carpet, feeding bowl, collar, or shampoo. Skin lesions on the parts of the body that have been in contact with the specific item can be prevented by removal of the offending item.
Combination of allergies
Allergic dogs are at a higher risk of developing other hypersensitivities. It is therefore quite common that dogs are allergic to more than one allergen and that dogs suffer from a combination of different types of allergies, such as a combination of atopy and food allergy.
The importance of diet in allergic skin problems
Diet can make an important contribution to the reduction of the degree of itching. SPECIFIC™ has a whole range of diets which are ideal for dietary management of the above allergies.
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