Common Allergies

• Two of the most common allergies dogs suffer from are flea allergy and food allergy. Food allergies can manifest as itchy skin or vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. Flea allergies tend to manifest as itchy skin. Both allergies can go unnoticed for some time, with owners simply treating the outbreaks and not offering the dog preventative treatment. There are many medications and options available for dogs with these types of allergies.
  
  

Flea Products

• To rid your dog of fleas and the itchiness their bite creates, preventative flea treatment can be helpful. The more common medications for the prevention of fleas are topical medications such as Frontline, Revolution and Advantage. Each of these medications acts differently with the body and the environment. Some medications can wash off if your dog swims frequently. Your vet can help you decide which is the most appropriate for your area and your dog's activity level. These flea medications are available through your veterinarian.
  
  

Diet

• If your vet suspects a food allergy is the culprit, try an elimination diet. Often if the dog is having a flare up of symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, the only food they will tolerate is plain rice, boiled chicken, or cottage cheese. Try different combinations of these to find something they will hold down. These foods are very mild on the stomach as well as nutritious so they are generally tolerated well by sensitive tummies. From this starting point, add food items back to the diet carefully. Try potato or peas for starch, maybe eggs or lamb for protein.
  
  

Steroids

• If your dog is in an acute itching "emergency" where something has triggered a flare-up and he simply cannot stop scratching, steroids may be a good alternative. Steroids can be given as a shot or as an oral medication. In some instances, one shot is enough to curb symptoms, but in some dogs a course of treatment over several days may be indicated. Steroids have a large-scale effect on the body with many potential side effects that should be taken into consideration before being administered. Steroids should only be prescribed by your vet due to their potential effects.
  
  

Antihistamines

• For occasional allergy flare ups, over-the-counter antihistamines can be very helpful to control symptoms. Even when flea medication is given regularly, the dog is flea free, and his diet is controlled he may still have flare-ups. Before going to the heavy weight medication steroids, antihistamines can often provide some relief from the itching and allergies without the more serious side effects steroids can have.