Article Title: Food Allergy In The Dog
Author: Beck The Vet
What is a food allergy and what are the symptoms?
Food allergies mainly cause skin, ear and digestive problems or
often both
1-6% of all skin and the vast majority of food allergies start
in the first year of life. A food allergy should always be
suspected if the dog has recurring ear infections. Ears may be
itchy and this is often complicated by a bacterial or yeast
infection. Other symptoms include:
- Itchy skin
- Recurring skin infection
- Itchy feet and belly
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Less commonly swelling of the face and eyelids can occur.
Could my dogs breed be a factor?
Most investigators did not find this to be a breed related
problem but some studies showed that Cocker Spaniels, Springer
Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Collies, Mini Schnauzers,
Chinese Shar-Pei, West Highland White Terriers, Wheatern
Terriers, Boxers, Dachhunds, Dalmatians, Lhasa Apsos, GSD and
Golden Retriever are at greater risk.
What are the causative agents?
The majority of food allergies are caused by proteins, usually
red meats such as beef or lamb but most food components such as
rice could be a trigger. Food additives can also cause allergies
though at the moment these appear to be less common.
What are the risk factors:
1. Certain foods or food ingredients
2. Poorly digestible proteins
3. Any non related bowel disease such as a viral infection
which damages the bowel lining
4. Age- less than one year old carries higher risk
5. Breed?
How can a food allergy be treated?
Food allergies need to be diagnosed by your vet and other
causes of diarrhoea / skin disease need to be eliminated. It is
dangerous to try a food trial unless specifically recommended by
your vet.
An allergy to food is treated by a special feeding plan which
would involve a diet which has a new protein source that the
dog has not had before and a new carbohydrate source.
Elimination diets are usually given for a period of 6-8 weeks.
In that time the no treats or food other than that in the food
plan are allowed. Failure to adhere to this will mean starting
the trial again- everyone needs to be involved and it is a
family effort in some cases!
There are two approaches:
1. Home cooked diet. Make you own! Not for long term as these
diets are not balanced but are ideal for this short period when
a recipe is followed (as your vet). Home cooked are not suitable
for young growing animals as they can cause long term
developmental problems as they lack essential nutrients for
growth.
2. Vets prescription diets. Balanced, convenient and safe for
long term use. They are available in a large range of flavours
and textures now so usually one can be found which your pet
will enjoy.
If the dog is better after 8 weeks a commercial complete food
that does not contain the same allergens can be introduced as
this will be balanced. Always check with your vet before
changing your pets diet. Read the labels carefully - a chicken
flavour dog food may still contain beef or lamb protein which
could make your pet ill. Ask your vet for advice.
Tip: Keep a diary of the symptoms, food consumed and
consistency of faeces. This will be helpful to your vet in
assessing your pets progress and allow you to observe any
improvements or relapses.
About The Author: Beck the Vet is the Online Veterinary at
Parcel Pets where she helps pet lovers by providing free vet
advice: http://www.pets2hom
Parcel Pets - http://www.pets2hom
leading pet supplies sites.
__,_._,___
No comments:
Post a Comment