Hives in dogs can be very
itchy and troublesome. Get information on causes of dog/puppy hives and
how to get rid of them.
Hives in Dogs
Itchy welts may break out in the
skin of your dog due to insect bites or from various allergens.
Medically, the condition is known as 'Urticaria' and can be quite
troublesome for your pet. Hives in dog are basically a form of
hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to certain products, food, toxins
or chemicals. You can easily notice the outbreak of hives on your dog in
the form of epidermal abnormalities like lesions, rashes and sore bumps.
They might appear on your dog's tongue, skin, lips, face and ears.
Though not life-threatening, an itchy skin, erupted with hives, can be a
harrowing experience for your pet. Learn what the various symptoms of
hives are, and how to effectively get rid of the problem.
Causes
The following things may result in hives on your dog
- Medication
- Certain foods (especially those containing preservatives,
emulsifiers, stabilizers, artificial flavoring and coloring)
- Insect Bites
Symptoms
- Bumps or warts in the skin
- Difficulty in breathing
- Excessive scratching and irritation
- Excessive shedding or hair loss
- Excessively dry skin or dandruff
- Loss of hair in patches
- Oily or smelly coat
- Rashes or skin inflammations
- Skin lesions that don't heal
- Swollen eyes and face
- Yellow skin, in patches
Remedies
Learn how to effectively eliminate this skin disorder in your dog
- Include supplements of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Selenium in his
diet.
- Make a paste of ground oats and smear it on his skin. You can
also tie oatmeal in a wet cloth and softly apply it on your dog's
skin.
- Make a strong concoction of black or green tea and add it to his
bathwater. Tea is a natural emollient and will help to soothe the
itchy skin.
- Oral corticosteroids can be administered by your veterinarian to
cure the problem.
- The veterinarian may provide various psychological pain
management and stress management techniques to soothe the ailing
dog.
- Try soaking your pet in ice-cold water for a few minutes
everyday. If he resists for the cold bath, softly pat him with a
towel dipped in the icy water.
- Various antihistamines that counterattack the allergens can also
be given to get rid of the problem.
It is your responsibility to be a
watchdog of your pet and see that he doesn't consume or inhale any
allergic product. Keep toxic elements out of his reach and make sure you
provide him with a nutritious diet with food that doesn't contain any
preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, artificial flavoring and
coloring. Be vigilant and be safe.
