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Allergies in Dogs
Use diet and nutritional supplements to stop your dog's chronic scratching, itching and skin problems! Order our Dog Skin Package Now |
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We are the skin and coat experts and have proven success resolving allergies in dogs and cats! Many pets are allergic to the ingredients in their food. We can help you stop your dog or cat's endless scratching and itching with a combination of dietary changes and the addition of essential fatty acids found in products such as Omega Synergy. Says Dr. Gordon, Veterinarian and Medical Director of VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital, "Optimum levels of Omega 3s and Omega 6s are essential for a healthy, lustrous coat".
For blackened, discolored skin: Try Skin Balance and Amazing Omegas |
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While humans often display respiratory symptoms such as sneezing and eye irritation from allergies, common symptoms of allergies in dogs and cats are excessive scratching, licking, chewing, rashes, hot spots, hair loss and even digestive upset. Generally, when a dog or cat is scratching excessively, the first thing we think of is that the pet has fleas. It is always a good idea to rule this out first by consulting your veterinarian or checking the pet’s coat with a flea comb for fleas. Once you are sure it is not a flea problem, more than likely your cat or dog may have some allergies.
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Allergies in dogs or cats can be caused by inhaled allergens (e.g. pollen), food (e.g. dairy, eggs, etc.) and/or external allergens (e.g. exposure to chemicals in carpet, etc.). One of the fastest ways to improve your pet’s health is to change your pet’s diet. Many dogs are allergic to certain meat proteins (beef and eggs are common) and common allergens such as corn, soy and wheat. If possible, the optimal diet for your pet is a homemade diet using easily digestible, low-allergen foods. Call for a custom allergy diet.
Tried everything and your dog is still scratching and itching?
Schedule an office vist or telephone consultation and get your pet's allergy problems resolved once a for all. Click here
"Bruiser had chronic yeast and skin problems. We had been to the veterinarian many times but the problem would just come back. We scheduled a consultation with Susan Davis and followed her dietary and supplement recommendations. Bruiser's yeast finally cleared up and I receive many complements on how nice his coat looks. It was the best $75 consultation fee I could have spent". Genette, Hawaii
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An integral component of allergies is inflammation as the immune system reacts to the unwanted substance. One conventional veterinary treatment for allergies is cortisone which treats the symptoms of allergies (e.g. itching) but not the root cause. Cortisone has many long-term side effects, especially if used for more than a few weeks. Frequently, pets who have taken cortisone will have elevated alkaline phosphatase, an indicator of how the adrenal glands are functioning. If your dog or cat has chronic, severe allergies and you have already tried modifying the diet, then Immune Harmony should be your next step in supporting your pet's immune function. |
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Allergies in dogs and cats are a symptom rather than a cause in themselves. They often occur as a result of the long-term build-up of toxins and so the goal is to detoxify the body and enhance the immune system as well as to treat the overall allergy symptoms. |
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An air purifier can be very helpful in reducing environmental allergies. Our natural anti-infection formula can be used topically to help heal hot spots. |
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Sometimes allergy testing and desensitization is effective, although rarely 100% effective, in eliminating allergies in dogs and cats. |
Read Elmo's Testimonial:
Elmo
“I am sharing my story about Elmo in the hope that it will help others who have experienced similar frustrations in caring for dogs with severe immune system problems.
Elmo was a street dog. We rescued him at 3 months of age. He is now nearly 3 years old. He is a mix of Great Dane and Rhodesian Ridgeback. Within 2 weeks of bringing Elmo home, he was diagnosed with puppy mange. He was treated for the mange, for 6 months, with traditional medicines, by our veterinarian. When Elmo was about 9 months old he began to limp and was diagnosed with acute elbow dysplasia in both front legs. He continued to suffer from skin disorders that manifested as red sores between his toes, on his groin area and in his ears. He was diagnosed with a severe case of immune disorder and chronic yeast infection. Elmo had always been given wholesome, high-end dog food. His environment is clean; he lives a relatively stress-free life in a rural area with plenty of room for fresh air, running and exercise. He was treated, at first, with Prednisone, then antibiotics. We switched back and forth between the two treatments in addition to topical ear treatments for almost one and one-half years. Nothing seemed to change the situation. We tried various food combinations (all commercial products) but nothing made any difference. No supplements, no food changes, no amount of bathing, no amount of medication…Elmo was an itching, licking, scratching machine!
In August 2006 Elmo was tested for allergies. Voila! He’s allergic to just about every type of grass there is. Great, we live on a ranch in South Western Washington covered by about 150 acres of a zillion types of grasses! We immediately began to give Elmo allergy shots. We were told it could take up to 6 months for them to become effective “if” they would even work at all.
Then life changed. In September, 2006, I met Susan Davis. That meeting changed Elmo’s life. I read Susan’s website and had a consultation with her by telephone. After carefully considering Elmo’s history and case information Susan suggested a regime of supplements and dietary changes.
We have stayed with Susan’s advice over the last 45 days. She was straightforward and honest about the fact that it would take time to see results. I can honestly testify at this date, October 19, 2006, that Elmo is “itch” free. All symptoms are gone in terms of itching, redness and sores. In addition to the supplements that Susan suggested, we switched Elmo to the B.A.R.F. diet. He does receive a minimal amount of kibble however and we have chosen to use the Natural Balance brand. I will say that it takes patience, dedication and time however to implement not only a strict routine of supplements but the B.A.R.F. diet as well. Today we are looking at a healthy, high energy, happy dog. We know that nothing, outside of surgery, will repair the elbow dysplasia, but at least we know that Elmo is now as healthy as he can be under the circumstances. We feel we owe a serious level of gratitude to Susan Davis for her thoughtful concern and the professional attention she has given to us. Thanks Susan!
Myrna and Elmo
Washington State
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Allergies in dogs and cats are a symptom rather than a cause in themselves. They often occur as a result of the long-term build-up of toxins and so the goal is to detoxify the body and enhance the immune system as well as to treat the overall allergy symptoms. |
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An air purifier can be very helpful in reducing environmental allergies. Our natural anti-infection formula can be used topically to help heal hot spots. |
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Sometimes allergy testing and desensitization is effective, although rarely 100% effective, in eliminating allergies in dogs and cats. | |
Below is our newsletter on dog itching, scratching and allergies. We hope you find it helpful:
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Stop Endless Scratching and Itching!
Most people think that when their pet is scratching and itching, it must be fleas. But most concerned pet owners are routinely using preventative flea products and yet their pets continue to scratch and itch. If a pet owner is using flea preventative products and the itching still continues, then further investigation is warranted.
The hot weather seems to be the worst of times for our poor pets. They chew, lick, scratch, scoot and tear their hair out. Their paws turn red and they get ear infections as well as hot spots. While it could be fleas, mites, parasites or mange, most of the time, it is allergies! Just as many of us experience hay fever and develop respiratory symptoms, our pets with allergies often develop skin issues. Allergies can be both environmental and food related.
Conventional veterinary treatment for allergies involves treatment with cortisone, antibiotics, allergy shots, antihistamines, shampoos and topical treatments. All of these can be very helpful for our pets and give them much needed immediate relief. But many of our pets have much more chronic problems and the symptoms return as soon as the medicines wear off. This is where holistic veterinary care can become especially valuable. Holistic veterinary care involves the use of a hypoallergenic diet and supplements to address the pet’s underlying condition. Many times pets have a chronic yeast condition which weakens their immune system. Pets with allergy problems typically have digestive disorders and since a great deal of our immune system is located in the GI tract, there is a direct correlation. Minimizing allergy symptoms is often directly related to quieting the inflammation in the GI tract.
Here are some general points about allergies you should be aware of:
1) Allergies are cumulative. In other words, a pet may have both food and environmental allergies but the symptoms only become noticeable during certain times of the year. This doesn’t mean your pet doesn’t have allergic reactions all the time. It just means that the situation builds up similar to a balloon that fills up with air until it pops. In your pet’s case, it may mean that all of a sudden your pet has hot spots or starts chewing on its paws or rear end during the hot summer months but most likely has underlying digestive issues all year round.
2) Cats and dogs may display allergy symptoms differently. Cats may have respiratory symptoms, vomiting and other digestive disorders due to allergies as well as skin reactions. Dogs may have scratching, itching, chewing on fur, ear infections, scooting on their rear end and weepy eyes.
3) Most of the time, pets have BOTH food and environmental allergies. There is no one medication or supplement that will cure your pet’s symptoms. Skin problems are tough and require a comprehensive effort. Using the following protocol for your pet can be helpful:
Topical treatment in the form of therapeutic baths (available from your veterinarian) and natural sprays (If your pet is allergic to grass, try washing paws after going outside)
Special hypoallergenic diet—Keep the following ingredients out of your pet’s diet. There is no “one” allergy diet that works for everyone. Each pet is different. You will need to try a few diets and/or learn how to prepare a homemade diet. We offer consultations via telephone or in-person at VCA Arroyo and can assist you with this.
Common Allergens in Pet Food:
· Corn
· Soy
· Gluten (found in wheat, barley, spelt and other grains)
· Milk Products
· Casein (found in cheese)
· Beef (problem for some dogs)
· Chicken (problem for some cats and dogs)
· Fish (cats can often be allergic)
· Peanut Butter (big allergen!)
Air purifier—an air purifier can greatly help with environmental allergies. Try to get one that either has a hepa filter or ozone purifier. You and your pets can still benefit from an air purifier even if doors and windows are frequently left open.
4) Use supplements to help your pet cope with allergy season to reduce inflammation and overall discomfort. Be sure to include a generous amount of Omega 3s from fish and flax oil, bioflavanoids such as quercetin, digestive enzymes and an effective probiotic. There are also some homeopathic and Chinese remedies that are very helpful for controlling allergy symptoms. Ask Ariel has a full spectrum of products available to assist pet with allergies .
5) Finally, if your pet is suffering from allergies, please be advised that there is usually no “quick fix”. Medications such as prednisone, antibiotics and antihistamines can provide short-term relief but a comprehensive holistic protocol can help heal your pet for the long-term. Before using any holistic protocol, an initial visit to your veterinarian is warranted. This is because skin issues can be a sign of an underlying endocrine condition such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease and/or your pet may have some serious infections that need to be addressed as well. A veterinarian exam, blood test and doctor’s diagnoses regarding the type of infections your pet has are critical to help your pet get well. Using a combination of both conventional and holistic veterinary medicine seems to deliver the best results for dogs and cats with allergies and skin problems.
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