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),/li>
  • 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.,/li>
  • 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.