Itching For The Facts In National Allergy Week

National Allergy Week (23 – 29 April) highlights the distressing allergies which many people face in their daily lives – but did you know that man’s best friend can also suffer from allergies, particularly at this time of year? Allergic skin disease can be a real source of irritation for dogs – in fact itchy skin is one of the most common reasons for dogs needing to visit the vet, with an estimated 25% of vet appointments focused on the problem. As a result, pet food manufacturer Royal Canin has developed a unique range of scientific Skin Care diets, available only through vets, which assist dogs that have skin allergies unrelated to food intolerance. Gudi Stuttard, one of Royal Canin’s small animal vets, explains: “If you find that your dog gets a bit itchy at this time of year, fleas aren’t necessarily always the cause. It could actually be an allergic reaction to their environment, known as ‘atopy’ - a bit like hay fever in humans. “Atopy usually develops first during early adulthood, often causing mild seasonal symptoms, particularly in the spring, but can develop in severity over the years. Long term treatment can be very successful in reducing the symptoms and special veterinary diets can really help in the nutritional support of dogs with skin problems. However, owners should be aware of the common signs so they can get to the vets to get the right diagnosis and help. “Obviously frequent scratching is a clear sign that your dog is in discomfort, but your dog may also chew their feet, rub their muzzle or get itchy ears. Other signs of a skin problem include reddening of the skin and hair loss. If you see these signs in your dog, then we recommend you visit your vet sooner rather than later, as the problems are unlikely to be resolved on their own and scratching will make things worse - with the skin becoming damaged and bacterial infection often occurring. “To reduce the possibility of your canine friend developing allergic skin disease, pet owners should make sure flea control is tip-top and keep the house as smoke-free and dust-free as possible. Routine grooming is also important to the overall skin health of dogs. Of course, every dog is different so your vet will help you work out a tailored plan to help you manage your allergic dog.” For more information about Royal Canin, visit www.royalcanin.co.uk.

More from

• West Midlands communications agency celebrates quartet of award nominations for work in veterinary sector
• IVC Evidensia assembles expert team to run new £10m referral hospital
• Home delivery service can increase pet health plan sign-ups by 25%
• Research reveals vital clues to help fight anthelmintic resistance
• Lifetime Achievement Award recognises Harrogate vet’s dedication to improving the health and welfare of rabbits