The Insider's Complete Guide To The Scottish Terrier- Allergy Guide
Owning a Scottish Terrier means having a constant companion to bond and play with. Aside from the joy and laughter that a dog can bring to your relationship, he can also bring health problems that can bring discomfort to you or your dog. One of the most common health problem that Scottish Terriers encounter is allergies.
What are Dog Allergies?
Dog allergies are caused by changes in the dog’s food or environment. These allergies are distinguished by how the body reacts to unusual stimulus triggered by different factors. These are known as allergic reactions.
If your Scottish Terrier shows signs of allergic reaction, you need to find out what is causing it. A veterinarian can help you verify the problem and then help you determine how to resolve it and strengthen his immunes system.
Dogs can react differently to allergies, even if it is caused by the same allergen. These allergens can at times be in the dog’s body, causing it to react against itself, as in the case of auto-immune diseases.
Some dog breeds may seem less susceptible or even prone to allergies, but in actuality, no dog is immune to them, including Scottish Terriers.
What Causes Dog Allergies?
There are many causes of dog allergies. For example, a dog might inhale grass or tree pollen. He could develop a reaction to dust granules. Maybe he’s allergic to flea saliva. Or, he could even be allergic to an ingredient found in his commercial dog food.
You will learn more about the different types of dog allergies later in this article.
6 Common Symptoms of Dog Allergies
Dogs exhibit different signs as a result of having allergies. Here are six of the most common symptoms to watch for:
Skin Problems
Hair Loss
Digestive Problems
Vomiting
Foul Odors
Ear Infections
Pay close attention to your dog’s behaviors—and the duration of the “episode.” These could be important clues to determining your dog’s health problems.
What are the Types of Dog Allergies?
There are three basic types of dog allergies:
Flea Allergy
Inhalant Allergy
Food Allergy
Inhalant Allergies
The environment contains allergens which can cause mast cells in the skin and basophils in the blood to release antibodies containing histamines, leukotrienes, and serotonin. These are what cause the dog’s allergy symptoms.
Causes
Prevention and Treatment
Flea Allergies
Constant scratching can be a sign that your Scottish Terrier has a flea bite allergy. This irritability can be so intolerable for the dog that he may actually chew himself raw while trying to ease the pain.
Causes
Prevention and Treatment
Food Allergies
If your Scottish Terrier shows signs of allergies, but you are quite certain it is not from inhalants in the environment, fleas in his coat or other health problems, your dog could suffer from food allergies.
It is sometimes difficult to determine food allergies, especially when the dog faces other allergies. It can also be a timely process as you experiment with different foods, trying to isolate the food allergens.
Causes
Prevention and Treatment
When You Are Allergic to Your Scottish Terrier
Approximately 15 percent of dog owners suffer from some sort of pet-related allergies. These allergic reactions can be mild or quite severe. Allergies can be caused by dander, saliva, skin or hair proteins, or fur.
How do these allergies affect the body? People can develop an immune reaction to a particular protein that is found in the sebaceous glands of the dog’s skin.
Dogs are continually shedding, so when he releases these tiny scales of dead skin—
dander—allergens are also being released.
A dog can also have allergens in his saliva and even urine. These allergens get trapped into his fur and when he licks himself, he is spreading them.
Additionally, as the fur dries out, there are microscopic particles that flake off and get into the air. When this happens, you can breathe in the particles.
These allergens can stay airborne for hours at a time and can stay potent for weeks—
making it very uncomfortable for you.
Symptoms of Allergies
If you find yourself sneezing and wheezing, or you discover itchy rashes, chances are you have allergies. If this is the case, you will want to consult with an allergist. He or she will be able to determine if your allergy symptoms are pet-related.
If you find that you are allergic to your dog, the allergist can help alleviate the irritating symptoms by creating a treatment routine. This could include medication, allergy shots, and/or alternative therapy.
15 Helpful Tips for Controlling Allergies
Unfortunately, there is not a cure for allergies. However, there are several things you can do to make life with your Scottish Terrier more comfortable:
Wash your hands frequently.
Feed your dog a well-balanced diet.
Don't allow your Scottish Terrier in the bedroom.
Brush your dog often.
Bathe your dog often.
Wash your dog's belongings.
Check your vacuum.
Have carpets cleaned regularly.
Dust often.
Keep air fresh.
Wash walls often.
Stay away from heavy upholstered furniture and curtains.
Change filters often.
Circulate the air.
Don't smoke.
Recommended Breeds for Allergy Sufferers
If you suffer from allergies, there are some dog breeds that will be less problematic for you.
Keep in mind though, that all dogs produce dander. Depending on the breed, some dogs shed their skin as often as every few days, while others shed every few weeks.
The less a dog sheds the less dander it produces.
The following breeds typically produce less dander:
Conclusion
You want life to be as comfortable as possible for you, your family, and your Scottish Terrier. By educating yourself on the common dog allergies, paying close attention to your Scottish Terrier’s behaviors, and keeping your home clean, you can minimize allergy problems before they get out of control.
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