An allergy is an overreaction or heightened sensitivity of the immune system to a substance. Though there are many ways in which a dog can exhibit an allergic response to an allergen, there are only five types of allergies. The most common for dogs is the flea bite allergen and the other four allergens are inhalant (also called “atopy,” pronounced “at-ta-pee”), contact, food, and bacterial.
How Inhalant Allergies Affect Your Dog
Remember, dogs that react to atopy allergens tend to suffer during the spring and autumn when tree, grass, and weed pollens are most prevalent. in Addition, allergic reactions to inhalant allergens are characterized by red, itchy, possibly swollen eyes, nasal congestion and discharge, sneezing, snoring, and respiratory restriction. The usual initial method of dealing with allergens is to eliminate the offending irritant. Needless to say, it would be impossible to eliminate spring and fall in most locations.
How Environmental or Ingested Allergies Affect Your Dog
A dog contending with flea bite, contact, food, and bacterial allergies may exhibit a host of responses. Itchy skin, loss of hair, rashes, open sores, paw chewing, digestive disorders, diarrhea, and vomiting. The trick is to isolate the environmental or ingested allergen and not have your dog exposed to it.
An Integrative Approach to the Allergy Reactions of dogs
The first line of defense is a consultation with your holistic veterinarian. They may be able to identify the offending irritant(s) and offer recommendations to mitigate your dog’s reaction. Also, they may even suggest using acupressure for your dog’s allergies.
From a conventional western medicine and a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, allergies are a breakdown in the immune system. The body is not able to cope with a particular allergen because the immune system is not functioning properly. It is over-reacting to the foreign substance. Adding support to your dog’s immune system with acupressure can help your dogs allergies.
Acupressure Session
Above is the acupressure session you can offer your dog to help build his immune system so his body can fend-off possible allergens.