Let me set the scenario for you: your beloved Labrador Retriever, Shadow, is much loved and well fed. He is a healthy and happy dog, but during the warmer seasons he can’t stop scratching. His skin becomes dry and irritated; he licks his paws all the time and has smelly ears.
Odds are Shadow has allergies – to something in his diet, or to something in the air. How can we tell the difference? The answer is simple; by watching for allergy patterns.
Dogs with diet-related allergies will be symptomatic all year round, no matter the season.
Seasonal allergies are usually just that – seasonal. Dogs with airborne sensitivities will start to show symptoms: dry skin, excessive scratching on the body to the point of causing redness & discolouration of the skin, licking & chewing of the legs and paws, dirty & smelly ears, etc.
If these symptoms are not present throughout the colder months, but return every spring and summer, odds are you have a dog with an environmental allergy/sensitivity/intolerance.
Dogs with diet-related allergies will be symptomatic all year round, no matter the season.
Back to Shadow. What do you do about your itchy puppy? Veterinarians can provide you with a variety of steroids and other medications, but is this really the best solution? What are the long-term effects of these prescription remedies?
Consider your alternatives – such as MSM (Methyl-sulfonyl-methane). MSM is an amazing sulfur compound that has many benefits (anti-inflammatory is it’s most popular use), and there exists a wealth of information suggesting MSM as being an effective antihistamine.
..I said MSM – not MSN. Don’t be hating, Bill..
I have had many clients who have had tremendous success using MSM for treating allergies. I should also mention that since every pet is different, the impact MSM will have in treating allergies will vary. MSM can be used long-term and has no recorded link to any health problems.
Understanding your dog’s symptoms, watching for allergy patterns, and knowing your options can make a world of difference to your pet’s health.
Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with me!
photo credit: Thomas Hawk
If you think your dog does have a food allergy, or you are just not sure, call CPC..we can help!
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