Research shows that around 20% of golden retrievers in the UK suffer from allergies. This health condition manifests in different ways and symptoms. If you suspect that your dog has an allergy-related issue, you need to consult your veterinarian for testing which can make your dog more comfortable.
Managing Your Golden Retriever’s Allergies
Food Allergies- your golden retriever pup can be allergic to processed food, soy products, dairy products, or wheat. Common symptoms include ear scratching, ear inflammation, itchy skin, loss of appetite and coughing. Remove one potential allergen from your dog’s daily diet and observe the result. Continue eliminating risky ingredients until you can confidently pinpoint the culprit. Once identified, you should provide alternative ingredients to keep nutritional intake balanced.
Canine Atopic Dermatitis- canine atopic dermatitis affects the skin and is caused by hypersensitivity to external factors like dust mites, spores and mould. If your dog has genetic predisposition of atopic dermatitis, symptoms could start to present themselves when your dog is at the age of two. Symptoms of atopic dermatitis are consistent licking of toes and stomach, excessive grooming, an irritated belly, and reddish ear. The best way to treat your dog is to identify the correct allergen and remove it from the environment.
Flea Allergy- a flea allergy is caused by the saliva of fleas and is a quite common type allergy. Often, fleas bite your dog and they cause your dog to have a fit of self-chewing. You need to go to the vet to confirm that your dog has a flea allergy. After a proper diagnosis is made, the vet will initiate a strict control regimen. Your dog will be prescribed special shampoos, sprays, and pills to treat the problem.
Inhalation Allergy- this condition is more common during spring and summer. If your golden retriever has an overreactive immune system against pollen, mould spores, dust and wood chips, his body will release elevated levels of leukotrienes, serotonin and histamines. Common symptoms include consistent scratching, irritated ear flaps and consistent head shaking.
Contact NordenLights Golden Retrievers
To learn more about managing your golden retriever’s allergies, or for information about high performance golden retriever training for your pet, contact NordenLights Golden Retrievers today and speak with an experienced, knowledgeable dog trainer who can answer any questions you might have.
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to share it on your favourite social media sites.
