- Often, food and sinus allergies in dogs can result in similar symptoms. These symptoms include, but are not limited to, excessive scratching and licking; sneezing and coughing; hair loss; loss of appetite; head shaking; vomiting and discharge from the eyes and nose. Upon witnessing one or any number of these symptoms, take a dog to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.
- Food allergies are a reaction in a dog's immune system, with symptoms often exhibited in the skin. This includes excessive scratching and itching. More often than not, food allergies stem from any number of proteins, including meats such as chicken and pork, as well as fish, eggs, milk, soy, wheat and corn. These foods can cause food allergies whether baked into dog food or prepared/cooked at home. It's best to get a dog to a veterinarian if food allergies are suspected, as these professionals can help diagnose the root of the issue and prescribe a long-term diet.
- Dr. Lowell Ackerman, a veterinary dermatologist, says dog owners should tailor home-cooked diets when they detect food allergies in a pet. The key is to identify a protein with which your dog has had little to no contact--thus eliminating it from the list of food allergy causes--and base the diet around it. To do so, boil the protein and serve it in the same volume as a dog's normal diet, making sure the mixture is one part protein and two parts either rice or potatoes.
- Unlike food allergies, which can come any time a dog interacts with a protein that causes such allergy, sinus allergies in dogs are typically seasonal. In fact, according to Family Vet, approximately 30 percent of skin irritations are caused by allergies. These allergies often correspond with the ebb and flow of the levels of tree and grass pollens, as well as a rise and fall in mold, and tend to be worse in warm, moist climates.
- The surefire way to prevent sinus allergies is to keep a dog away from certain allergens, the ones that are causing allergic reactions. Unfortunately, this is an almost impossible a task to complete. Consult a veterinarian upon witnessing allergic reactions, and it's likely a vet will prescribe a shampoo, pill, supplements or diet to combat the allergy, or perhaps even a combination of any of the above.
previous post