Allergies That Can Affect Your Golden Retriever | Dogs

By CarolMatthews
Total views: 2
Word Count: 476

If anyone asks you why you bought a Golden Retriever there might be varieties of reasons that you would like to consider as a reason. But obviously, one among them must be the beauty and elegance of its golden hair. Unfortunately there are a whole host of reasons that may cause an unusual shedding of hair in a Golden Retriever, and certainly Golden Retriever allergies are most significant of them. Flea allergies, atopy, food allergies and contact allergies are the most common forms.

Reaction to flea saliva may cause flea allergies, also known as skin inflammation, if the dog is sensitive to fleas. If this occurs, formation of small red papule is the most common symptom observed over different areas of the Golden Retriever like the lower back, back legs, hind legs, upper thighs and belly areas. When this occurs, the dog excessively scratches the affected region and itching is one of the most common symptoms Golden Retriever allergies.

When flea allergies occur, the affected areas become hairless. In addition, the areas change color and the skin becomes thickened. As few a couple of bites or less can make a dog react if the skin is sensitive to flea biting. If you can control the flea population, then you can possibly offer effective treatment measures to your dog. Additionally, you have to control flea population in the external environment. There are few advanced methodologies and products that are beneficial in controlling flea infection.

Atopy occurs as a result of inhalation or absorption of harmful chemicals or substances from the environment. When it occurs, different areas of the dog's body including groin, feet, underarm and face get affected. Common symptoms may include itching and scratching, redness, rawness, skin thickening and crusting. The infection may spread to ear also. Fungal spores, pollen, cat dander, weeds and grasses are the most common factors for atopy. Antihistamines, antibiotics, cortisone, shampooing and spraying are common modes of treatment.

Food allergies are another common form of Golden Retriever allergies. The symptoms are quite similar to atopy however the root cause differs significantly. Food allergies occur due to adverse reactions to specific foods like beef, dairy, wheat, soy and few poultry products.

Golden Retriever allergies of this type can only be diagnosed if you change the entire diet of the dog. You need to continue the newly designed diet for not less than eight weeks. If you find any significant symptoms, you may reach your conclusion.

Contact allergy is another form of Golden Retriever allergies, however, it is not as common. This occurs only when any other form of allergy like atopy affects the dog or a flea reaction causes the area to become hairless and the dog becomes vulnerable towards contact allergies.

Paw, underarms and belly are the most affected regions. Chemicals used in carpet cleaning, polishes, grasses, waxes, and pollens may contribute to contact allergies in Golden Retrievers.

About the Author

About the author: Carol Matthews is an avid lover of the Golden Retriever and owns a popular website that can show you how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved Golden Retriever. Among other topics there, you will find out more about Golden Retriever allergies plus a whole lot more.

You are here Articles > Pets and Animals > Dogs