Dog Eye Allergies
Dog eye allergies are a common problem that can cause a variety of symptoms, including redness, itching, and watering. There are a number of different causes of dog eye allergies, including environmental allergens, food allergies, and contact allergies. Treatment for dog eye allergies will vary depending on the cause and severity of the allergy.
Causes of Dog Eye Allergies
- Environmental allergens: These are the most common cause of dog eye allergies. They can include pollen, dust mites, and mold.
- Food allergies: These are less common than environmental allergies, but they can still be very serious. Dogs can be allergic to a variety of foods, including beef, chicken, dairy, and wheat.
- Contact allergies: These are caused by contact with an irritant, such as a shampoo or cleaning product.
Symptoms of Dog Eye Allergies
- Redness: The whites of the dog’s eyes will be red and inflamed.
- Itching: The dog will scratch at its eyes frequently.
- Watering: The dog’s eyes will produce a lot of tears.
- Swelling: The eyelids may be swollen and puffy.
- Discharge: The dog may have a discharge from its eyes.
- Corneal ulcers: In severe cases, the dog’s cornea may become ulcerated.
Treatment for Dog Eye Allergies
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Environmental Allergies
- Over-the-counter medications: There are a number of over-the-counter medications that can be used to treat environmental allergies in dogs. These include antihistamines, such as Benadryl, and steroid eye drops.
- Prescription medications: In more severe cases, the veterinarian may prescribe prescription medications, such as steroids or cyclosporine.
- Environmental control: The best way to prevent environmental allergies is to control the dog’s exposure to allergens. This may involve keeping the dog indoors when pollen counts are high, using air filters, and vacuuming regularly.
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Food Allergies
- Diet elimination trial: The most effective way to diagnose and treat food allergies is to do a diet elimination trial. This involves feeding the dog a hypoallergenic diet for several weeks to see if the symptoms improve. If they do, then the dog is likely allergic to something in its regular diet.
- Hypoallergenic diet: Once the food allergy has been diagnosed, the dog will need to be fed a hypoallergenic diet for the rest of its life. These diets are made from ingredients that are not commonly found in dog food, such as duck or venison.
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Contact Allergies
- Avoid the irritant: The best way to treat contact allergies is to avoid the irritant. If you are not sure what is causing the allergy, the veterinarian can help you identify it.
- Topical medications: The veterinarian may also prescribe topical medications, such as steroids or antihistamines, to help relieve the symptoms.
Tips for Preventing Dog Eye Allergies
- Keep your dog’s environment clean. This includes vacuuming regularly and using air filters to reduce dust and pollen levels.
- Avoid taking your dog for walks when pollen counts are high.
- Bathe your dog regularly. This will help to remove any allergens that may have become attached to your dog’s fur.
- If your dog is allergic to a particular food, avoid feeding it that food.
- If your dog is allergic to a particular shampoo or cleaning product, stop using it.
- Talk to your veterinarian about other ways to prevent your dog’s eye allergies.
Conclusion
Dog eye allergies can be a frustrating problem for both dogs and owners. However, there are a number of effective treatments available. With the right treatment, dogs can live happy and healthy lives despite their allergies.