Skin allergies can be treated in Golden retrievers.
In dogs, skin allergies are a common problem.Golden retrievers are more prone to a skin disease called canine atopic dermatitis.Caused by the immune system's response to environmental allergens (substances causing allergies, like dust or pollen) coming into contact with the skin, Cad causes very itchy skin.It can make your Golden retriever feel bad.As soon as possible, begin treatment for your Golden retriever after he has been diagnosed.There is no cure for CAD, but there are several long term treatment options that can help your Golden retriever.
Step 1: Limit your Golden retrievers time outside.
Reducing exposure to environmental allergens is one way to treat CAD.During peak pollen season, some dogs will stay indoors or avoid cut grass.If your golden retriever needs to go outside, wipe it down with a wet cloth to remove the pollen from its fur and skin.It may not be practical for every dog to keep their Golden Retriever inside all the time.Don't forget to wipe off your Golden Retriever's paws.Your dog could have an allergic reaction if it touches another part of its body with its paws.Reducing exposure can be done with the help of your vet.Reducing exposure is very difficult if you don't know the specific allergen.
Step 2: Dust and dust mite exposure can be minimized.
Several avoidance strategies are available if your Golden retriever is allergic to dust.Dust and vacuum your home at least once a week.You can wash your Golden Retriever's bedding in hot water.Changing your air filters frequently will help keep dust out of the air in your home.Placing a plastic cover over your dog's bed is one of the ways to reduce exposure to dust and dust mites.
Step 3: You can reduce mold levels in your home.
Another common allergy is mold.Dehumidifiers can be used if your Golden retriever is allergic to mold.Home supply stores have dehumidifiers.The soil of potted plants can get mold, so don't have them.It is possible to reduce mold exposure by keeping your Golden retriever out of the basement.Activated charcoal can be put on the soil to prevent mold development.You can find activated charcoal at your local gardening store.The product has instructions on how to clean your dehumidifiers.Cleaning them will make them work better.
Step 4: It's a good idea to use a pet-specific cleanser.
Bathing your Golden retriever will remove the allergens that may have settled on your dog's fur.If your golden retriever has scratched its skin so much that it has become colonized, it is a good idea to use a medication to treat it.Medicated hair products contain either an antimicrobial or antifungal ingredient.Medicated shampoos often contain oatmeal to keep the skin from drying out.Purchase the medication at the vet's office.Don't use a human cleanser to bathe your dog.Humans and dogs have different pH levels.The Golden Retriever's skin is sensitive to the pH differences.
Step 5: It's a good idea to bathe your golden retriever frequently.
If you want your golden retriever to be less itchy, bathe it once a week or every other week.If you bathe your Golden retriever more than once a week, it could strip its skin of essential oils and cause dry skin.Talk to your vet about how often you should bathe your dog.It's a good idea to wash or wipe down your Golden retriever every day.The allergens would be removed between baths.If you have a busy schedule, this may not be practical.Between baths you could use a product to soothe the itchy spots.This product would be available at your vet's office.If your golden retriever has skin problems, wash them gently around the areas that are sensitive to touch.
Step 6: After the bath apply a conditioner.
Leave-in conditioners can be applied to the skin and coat after bathing.This conditioner will soothe the skin, but also serve as a barrier to keep allergens out.The conditioner should be applied according to the instructions on the label.It's a good idea to use a pet-safe conditioner.
Step 7: You should consult with your vet about treatment for allergies.
Antihistamines are used to treat allergies in dogs.Mast cells are involved in allergic reactions.Dogs with seasonal or mild skin allergies work best with antihistamines.If this describes your golden retriever's dental problem, your vet will prescribe an antibiotic.In about 30% of dogs, antihistamines are effective.There are very few side effects of antihistamines.
Step 8: Administer the medication as prescribed.
When given consistently, antihistamines work better.If your golden retriever has an allergic reaction, it is too late to give him the antihistamine because the mast cells need to release it.Your vet will want you to give your Golden retriever at least two to three times a day.Antihistamines are given by mouth.
Step 9: You can try several antihistamines.
Antihistamines are not the same for every dog.If you want to move on to a different type of therapy, your vet may recommend trying up to three antihistamines.Benadryl and Claritin are examples of dog-safe antihistamines.Humans and over-the-counter antihistamines can be adjusted to be effective in dogs.Depending on the country, the active medication in Benadryl can vary.To make sure the key component is safe, always check with a vet.Try them for 10 to 14 days.A human would need a higher dose of antihistamine than a golden retriever.Before using these over-the-counter antihistamines, ask your vet how much your dog will need.Let your vet know if your golden retriever's symptoms are getting better with each antihistamine.There is a chance that your golden retriever still has an itch.The itch will probably be less than before.
Step 10: Discuss steroid treatments with your vet.
Steroids are anti- inflammatory.Steroids help a dog feel less itchy.Steroids have long-term side effects, including increased drinking and urinating, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system.You and your vet will need to discuss the safest way to use steroids to treat your Golden retriever.Even though steroids reduce itching and inflammation, your vet may want to limit or even eliminate the use of steroids for your Golden retriever.A steroid used to treat a disease.
Step 11: Follow the instructions.
Steroids can be used for short-term relief from itching.If the season is short, they can be given for the duration of the allergy season.Steroids can be given as a third option.The type of steroid therapy your golden retriever will need will be determined by your vet.If your golden retriever needs long term steroid therapy, your vet may prescribe a low dose to be given every other day.Your vet would start with an initial dose and gradually decrease it as your Golden retriever's symptoms improve.Don't make changes to the steroid dosage on your own.This could make treatment more difficult.
Step 12: Keep an eye on your Golden retriever for side effects.
Monitoring for side effects of long term steroid therapy is very important.Your vet will want to see your dog at least once a month to analyze blood and urine samples.Because steroids can cause liver enlargement, your vet will want to look for increased levels of the enzymes in your dog's blood.If you notice any side effects at home, contact your vet immediately.You don't have to wait until your regular appointment to have your Golden retriever examined.
Step 13: Steroids can be used with skin allergy therapies.
In addition to steroids, your vet may prescribe other medications with the goal of limiting or eliminating steroid use.Follow the instructions on the prescription.The steroids will be phased out from the treatment plan if the other medications work well.
Step 14: Discuss treatment with your doctor.
A drug called cyclosporine is a non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drug.Long term cyclosporine therapy is generally well accepted by dogs.For large breed dogs, cyclosporine is expensive.As a dog starts to respond to cyclosporine therapy, the required dosage would decrease.The cost of therapy would decrease over time.If you're worried about the cost of cyclosporine, talk to your vet.The brand name for cyclosporine is Atopica®.
Step 15: Administer cyclosporine when prescribed.
There is an oral drug.It is given daily for 46 weeks.The lowest effective dose is gradually decreased.The cyclosporine should be given on an empty stomach.
Step 16: Side effects of the golden retriever can be monitored.
There are several side effects of cyclosporine.The first two weeks of therapy are when the side effects occur.If you see these side effects, contact your vet.If your vet recommends it, you can give the cyclosporine a small amount of food and stop it for a few days.After a few days, give cyclosporine on an empty stomach.There are rare side effects of cyclosporine.
Step 17: Wait for an answer to therapy.
It may take 68 weeks for your Golden retriever to respond to cyclosporine therapy.If you become impatient with waiting for a treatment response, change the cyclosporine dosage on your own, this could lead to treatment failure, which could make your Golden Retriever feel even itchier.
Step 18: You can schedule follow-up visits with the vet.
The immune system function of your Golden Retriever may go down because of cyclosporine.Your vet will want to check your golden retriever's white blood cell count on a regular basis.If the white blood cell counts are low, your vet may need to adjust the cyclosporine dosage.Your vet will be able to determine how well your Golden retriever is responding to therapy after these follow-up visits.
Step 19: Do you know how immunotherapy works?
Allergen Specific Immunotherapy (ASIT) is the best way to treat CAD.It can help your golden retriever achieve remission without the use of other drugs.ASIT works by gradually desensitizing your dog's immune system to the allergens.The immunotherapy medicine contains small amounts of the specific allergens to which your Golden retriever is allergic.By exposing your Golden Retriever to small, measured amounts of the allergens, your dog's immune system would slowly become more tolerant of them, thus decreasing the allergic reaction.The results of the skin tests performed on your vet would show the specific allergens.For dogs that have skin allergies for longer than two to three months at a time and have not responded well to other skin allergy medications, immunotherapy is most helpful.It is a long-term treatment.
Step 20: Have your vet give you injections.
Usually, immunotherapy injections are given once every four weeks.Your vet will let you know when your golden retriever needs the injections.It is possible to schedule several appointments at one time to make sure your dog stays on schedule.At the beginning of immunotherapy, your vet will increase the amount of allergens until a maintenance dose is reached.Your vet will keep your Golden retriever at this level of maintenance.During the course of therapy, your vet may change the number of injections.
Step 21: Wait for the treatment response.
It may take anywhere from a few months to a full year for a dog to respond to this type of therapy.Your vet will recommend treating your dog with other skin allergy medications during the course of immunotherapy because your Golden Retriever will not respond very quickly.Your vet will want you to commit to this treatment for at least a year to see if it will work.The majority of dogs will experience a 50% improvement in symptoms.It is possible that a dog does not need to be on other skin allergy medications.