Treatment of Poultry Allergies in Dogs
During the several weeks that are often required before the elimination diet can reveal the allergen, your pet may continue to experience some symptoms. Corticosteroids and antihistamines can sometimes reduce swelling and control itching, however, many veterinarians prefer to complete the elimination diet before recommending symptomatic treatment. This is because the use of these remedies can also make it harder to determine which component in your dog’s food is causing the allergic reactions by masking visible signs. Once the allergen has been determined, the initial course of action is the removal of the ingredient from the dog’s diet.
Supplements, such as Omega-3 oils and probiotics, are often recommended to support the immune system and to protect the skin itself. The additions of these supplements are intended to assist your dog’s body in handling any accidental exposure to allergens as well as to prevent the cultivation of new allergies. Secondary skin infections are also common with skin allergies and antibiotics may be prescribed to clear these infections. Although allergies to foods are not strictly curable, signs generally disappear with removal of the offending ingredient from their diet. Relapses can occur from even small exposures to the allergen, so it is important that you continue to be vigilant for the component in ingredient lists. Allergic responses to one type of food will often indicate a predisposition to developing an allergy to the components of the replacement diet as well over time.
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Causes of Poultry Allergies in Dogs
Food allergy – An allergy to food is a self-defense response by the immune system to an amino acid that it perceives as a threat. An allergic reaction doesn’t happen the first time an individual is exposed to the allergen as the immune system has to encounter the protein more than once for enough enterocytes to recognize it as an invader. If your pet is showing an intolerance to a particular food, it may indicate that an allergy is in the process of developing. Any individual ingredient can cause an allergic reaction, but certain foods, including chicken, dairy, beef, and egg products, tend to induce canine allergies more often than others.
Food intolerance – Food intolerance is different from a food allergy because the reactions in food intolerance are not caused by histamine. Additional symptoms, including changes in the consistency or color of the stools, gurgling sounds from the digestive system, and abdominal pain, are common with a food intolerance. Food intolerance, although different from an allergy, can lead to allergies as the intolerance may cause the food to be improperly broken down by the digestive system.
Common myths about feeding dogs chicken
Frequently feeding your dog the same type of protein, in this case, chicken, is exactly what can build up an intolerance or allergy in your dog’s digestive system. You should instead rotate proteins and choose different types every month or two.