Daisy Sawtelle
Canine Reporter

As a dog that has allergies, I can report that we can suffer just like humans do. However, recent studies show that dog ownership can protect against the development of allergies in young children. Therefore, dog owners may not want to part with their pets, despite the symptoms they endure.

Since dander allergens are sticky, they can be brought to these places on the clothing of pet owners. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), nearly 10 million pet owners are allergic to their animals. For dog owners with allergies, avoidance is not easy. Many pet owners will be able to control their allergies without taking the drastic measure of finding a new home for their dog.

Pollen and dust granules are inhaled by dogs just as they are by dog owners, but instead of producing sinus congestion and a sore throat, they cause the skin to itch, the hair to fall out, and, with prolonged scratching, the eruption of pustules that often become infected.

Some dogs may get relief from antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), clemastine (Tavist) or chlorapheniramine (Chlortrimetron), but owners should ask their veterinarian for proper dosage for their pet and may have to try more than one before finding the formula that helps.

Some dog owners swear by garlic and brewers yeast to keep fleas away, but no evidence exists to prove these plant products are valuable preventives. Other dog owners plant herbs such as pennyroyal, southernwood, or wormwood around dog kennels or near doorways and use herbal flea collars, brush lavender or eucalyptus oil into the dog’s coat once a week, or sprinkle dried leaves of lavender, rosemary, sage, or eucalyptus in the dogs bed to keep the little bloodsuckers at bay, but the jury is still out on effectiveness.

While waging all-out war on fleas, dog owners should also use the same treatments that work for inhalant allergies to reduce the itching and ease the discomfort of irritated skin. Many dog owners are surprised to learn that food allergies are not always related to a new food or diet.

Dog owners should routinely check their dog’s skin and feel for any lumps, bumps or other skin conditions.

People with dog allergies should first visit with a Bichon to test their individual reaction before committing to ownership. Skin problems in Bichons were less often reported by owners in a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, but were still more prevalent than among other breeds. In subsequent years Bichon ownership, especially in the Eastern states, climbed dramatically.

Allergies to dogs can strike anyone at any age, yet with how attached most owners are to their dogs, they seem to chose living with their allergies rather then giving up their beloved pets. Poodles are an excellent choice for allergen sensitive owners. In fact, some poodle owners even learn how to clip their own dogs. The fact that these small dogs are frequently bathed may be one reason why people with dog allergies have few symptoms with owning this breed.

Itchy skin is one of the most common complaints of pet owners but the reasons for itchy skin can be numerous.

There are five known types of dog allergies:

• Food allergy,
• Flea allergy,
• Bacteria allergy,
• Contact allergy and
• Atopy.

Dog allergies are a common form of allergy in the United States. Dog allergies may produce symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes, stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing, skin rash, swelling, and breathing problems. Dog allergies are very similar to human allergies and also produce the same symptoms as human allergies.

Allergies can make your dog very uncomfortable. Allergies to fleas are not caused by the flea itself, but rather the flea’s saliva. Allergies can include skin allergies, dog food allergies (particularly corn and soy), house dust and dust mites, ragweed.

Dog allergies are very similar to human allergies and also produce the same symptoms as human allergies. Prevention is better than cure; the best premium all-natural diet is the first weapon against dog skin problems and dog allergies. Avoidance still, the most effective way to manage dog allergies is to prevent them. Although dog hair attracts and spreads allergens, hair is not the culprit of dog allergies.

Owners should choose a natural alternative to fighting dog allergies by supporting a healthy system with holistic remedies, supplements, herbal remedies, homeopathy and more.

• Leave a comment... (0)

Daisy Sawtelle
Canine Reporter

What is so hard about understanding dog behavior? All my dog friends have noses that can smell anything from drugs to diseases to body rescues. If you want us dogs to do something and we become stubborn and indifferent… don’t panic and become agitated.

Use our noses to help you to understand dog behavior.

Try some of the following tips:

Medications.

I don’t like the idea of taking drugs that don’t smell natural. Robert, my owner, uses my nose to seduce me to take any meds I wouldn’t ordinarily take in a pill form. He grinds up the meds and mixes them into my chow.

Another trick he uses is to take the pill and stuff it into some cheese, liverwurst, or ham. Yummy.

However, there are big gelatin pills that you can’t crush into our chow. They must be swallowed whole and that I don’t like. Robert tries to stuff them down my throat but I just spit it out. He gets very agitated.

Now, he lets me sniff the pill with some butter on it and I can’t wait to swallow it. Cool.

Discipline

I don’t always come when I am called…I’m like a little kid. However, I have a big advantage over a kid. A kid won’t always come for an oatmeal cookie, but I will. I can smell it from 10 feet away. I can smell it if it’s in your purse or pocket or kitchen table.

I will also roll over, fetch, sit, sing, retrieve, and shake hands because I can smell or know a treat is coming. But don’t tease me and not give me a treat when I perform because your credibility suffers.

BE CONSISTENT and reward me after every command and you will begin to understand dog behavior by using our noses.

• Leave a comment... (1)

Daisy Sawtelle
Canine Reporter

As you know SPAM has a nasty reputation when it comes to computer email and has spawned an anti SPAM industry devoted to SPAMS destruction. A noble effort indeed.

I just got back from Austin, Texas where I was comparing dog life there with Austin, MN. dog life.

Austin, TX is a big place compared to Austin, MN…500,000 vs. 23,000. So what?

It seems that Austin, TX dogs eat what Austin, MN makes…SPAM. Not a good idea.

Just like computer SPAM, it is not good for dogs either and will consume and create pain for dogs, people, AND computers.

My findings in Austin, TX tells me that 25% of the informed hungry dogs actually eat this stuff because they have to but only 15% actually like it.

Most dogs don’t know where it comes from but accept its safety. However, the really informed dogs from the graduate dog owners of the University of Texas and the LBJ Library disdain this name and product. They said that SPAM contained too much fat and that eating it would lead to Pancreatitis in dogs. True.

I had to deny any connection with Austin, MN and say that I was from Embarrass, MN. where our sled dogs happen to agree with the informed Texas dogs but eat SPAM anyway… for one reason only and that is for body insulation against the cold. It gets 50 degrees below zero there in the winter.

The Austin, MN dogs are kept ignorant of the danger of SPAM because it adds to the nasty reputation SPAM has with computers and Pancreatitis. Besides, it is made in their hometown. What they do there to distract attention from SPAM is to hold a competitive Boomerang Fetch contest.

The dog’s owner throws a boomerang for his dog to fetch to see how close he can come to his sitting fat dog. The dog is timed to go fetch and the quickest dog gets a reward of a Big Mac with fries. Oy.

You have heard of fat cats but now you know about fat dawgs as well. (The fat cats make this stuff…Hormel.)

Conclusion: Stay away from SPAM unless you are from Embarrass, MN.

• Leave a comment... (0)