Asthma and Allergy

Like humans, dogs have allergic reactions. In such cases, the term dog allergy takes on a whole new meaning!

Dogs' suffering is compounded by the fact that they can't communicate their plight. They end up scratching themselves all over their bodies, leading to sores and blisters. These sores may get infected and lead to further complications.

The best ways of managing a dog allergy are either preventing it in the first place or limiting its effect. Doing so involves, first off, identifying the most common dog allergy causes and taking necessary steps to eliminate or reduce them.

To start the ball rolling and help poor suffering dogs around the world, here are some simple ways that can be used to provide relief to the allergy stricken dog.

1. Change the Dog's Diet: If your dog is showing allergic symptoms, it may be due to an allergy towards dog food. So one way of managing a dog allergy is changing the dog's diet and seeing if the symptoms disappear.

2. Vacuuming: Similar to humans, some dogs are allergic to dust, mold, and pollen in the air. Eliminating these components can provide natural allergy relief. Regular vacuuming of areas where the dog stays most could certainly help.

3. Elimination of Fleas: Fleas are the worst enemy of a dog. Many dogs are allergic to fleas. So, eliminating these fleas can be a great allergy remedy. Check out some of the anti-flea shampoos and sprays in your local supermarket or pet store.

4. Regular Bath: Clean and healthy skin is very important in helping a dog to avoid allergic reactions. To ensure clean and healthy skin, regular baths should be given to your dog.

5. Medication: Besides the above natural allergy relief ideas for a dog allergy, there are a number of medications available that can help to provide relief to allergic symptoms, including antihistamines, steroids and drugs. Talk to your vet about this.

Exposure to dust, pollen, and other irritants lead to allergic reactions in many
people. The reactions may include sneezing, runny nose and sore throat. However, in some, these reactions may be more severe and include asthma attacks. Asthma attacks can not only be bothersome, but also life threatening!

Fortunately, there are many types of asthma medicine available. Some more common types of asthma medicine are listed below.

1. Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: These drugs, as the name suggests, prevent inflammation and thus provide relief to asthma. They make the airways less sensitive to allergens, reducing coughing and wheezing.

2. Inhalants: Non-steroid inhalants like Intal (cromolyn sodium) and Tilade (nedocromil sodium) are few of the more commonly used types of asthma medicine. These too prevent swelling of the airways, thus reducing the symptoms like coughing and wheezing.

3. Cortico Steroids: Cortico steroids, both in the form of inhalant and pill, are used as asthma medicine. The main purpose of these steroids is, once again, to prevent swelling of the airways as well as reduce the mucus in the lungs. Some commonly used cortico steroids are azmacort, vanceril, decadron, pediapred and celestone. But they have to be taken under a doctor's strict guidance.

4. Serevent: This is another popular medicine. It relaxes the muscles in the airways and facilitates easier breathing. Although this medication is used to prevent an asthma attack, it cannot treat an asthma attack that has already begun.

Hopefully, this list is helpful to you. But remember...before taking any asthma medicine, speak to your doctor!