Does Your Golden Retriever Have Allergies

submitted: Jun 5th 2008 | by: CarolMatthews | Total views: 15 | Word Count: 557 | PDF View | Print Article

Owning a Golden Retriever is always a matter of pride, and whenever you look at its rich golden hair, you may fall in love all over again. But what about the time when you find it shedding excessive hair in an unusual pattern along with a persistent experience of itching? If this happens to your dog chances are that your dog is experiencing allergies. Apart from Golden Retriever allergies, these symptoms may occur as a result of parasitical intervention or any form of infection. Golden Retriever allergies may be of four types - flea allergies, atopy, food allergies and contact allergies.

Reaction to flea saliva may cause flea allergies, also known as skin inflammation, if the dog is sensitive to fleas. If this occurs, formation of small red papule is the most common symptom observed over different areas of the Golden Retriever like the lower back, back legs, hind legs, upper thighs and belly areas. When this occurs, the dog excessively scratches the affected region and itching is one of the most common symptoms Golden Retriever allergies.

One of the most common Golden Retriever allergies occurs as a result of reaction to flea' saliva. When it occurs, the affected area turns out to be dark in color and thickened. It only happens when the dog is allergic to fleabites. In such case, only one or two bites are enough to be a hazard. If controlling the flea population is possible, the dog can be effectively treated. Apart from that, you have to control flea population in the external environment as well. In modern days with the advancement of medical science, many new products are available to combat against flea allergies.

On the other hand, atopy occurs as a result of allergic reaction to substances that the Golden Retriever either inhales or soaks up through its skin. When Golden Retriever allergies of this type occur, itching is still prevalent but in different areas including feet, groin, face and underarm. If left untreated, it may lead to redness, thickening of skin area, rawness, infection, crusting and increased coloring. Apart from these common symptoms, persistent infection in the ear is also common. Common substances that may result in Golden Retriever allergies are fungal spores, pollen, cat dander, weeds and grasses. Treatment includes antibiotics, antihistamines and cortisone either by shampooing or spraying.

Likewise any other dogs, the Golden Retriever is not free from food allergies. Symptoms of food allergies roughly resemble the symptoms of atopy, although there are a lot of differences in the root of the problem. Dairy, soy beef, wheat and some poultry products may contribute to food allergy for some dogs including the Golden Retriever.

Golden Retriever allergies of this type can only be diagnosed if you change the entire diet of the dog. You need to continue the newly designed diet for not less than eight weeks. If you find any significant symptoms, you may reach your conclusion.

Contact allergy is the least common of all Golden Retriever allergies. This is mainly because the dog has protective layer of hair all over the body. But when the dog is suffering from any other form of allergy, like a flea allergy, it loses hair from the affected region.

Paw, underarms and belly are the most affected regions. Chemicals used in carpet cleaning, polishes, grasses, waxes, and pollens may contribute to contact allergies in Golden Retrievers.

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About the Author

About the author: Carol Matthews is a passionate lover of the Golden Retriever and has a popular website where you'll discover how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved Golden Retriever. Among other topics there, you can also learn all about Golden Retriever allergies plus a whole lot more.


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