One of the most frustrating problems we see in dogs is allergies. It can be very difficult to diagnose what the dog is allergic to and how aggressive and how long allergies should be treated. An accurate history of when signs started and how bad the itching is can help greatly when developing a plan for management of itching. It is important to know that the goal of treating allergy is to keep the dog comfortable and eliminate secondary problems such as skin and ear infections, not to cure itching completely. Curing a dog of allergies is virtually impossible using medications alone. Moving the dog to an area where the allergens don’t exist or potentially eliminating a food allergen from the dog’s diet are likely the only way to eliminate allergic itching completely. It is important to have consistent communication with your veterinarian regarding your pets condition to prevent loss of control of allergies and unnecessary discomfort for your pet.
