Food for Thought — Allergies in Dogs, a Holistic Look
by Dr. Janice Elenbaas
An allergy is a sign of an overactive immune system. The
body is working overtime to protect us from a perceived threat. There is
overproduction of histamine in response to exposure to a foreign protein. The
result is swelling and inflammation. This can be seen as:
body is working overtime to protect us from a perceived threat. There is
overproduction of histamine in response to exposure to a foreign protein. The
result is swelling and inflammation. This can be seen as:
-itchy, red moist skin
or ‘hot spots’
or ‘hot spots’
-increased scratching
-runny eyes
-itchy back or base of tail ( especially in flea allergies)
-ear infections
-paw chewing
-vomiting
-diarrhea
Common triggers are:
-fleas – the most common cause of allergic response
-pollens – like tree and ragweed pollens
-mold spores
-drugs
-cigarette smoke
-foods
The most common cause of allergies is a reaction to fleas
followed by inhaled allergies. Only 10% of dog allergies is due to foods.
Having said all that, allergies are still a sign that the
immune system is overworked and turned against itself. It has over-responded to
a naturally occurring protein. Symptoms in and of themselves should never be
covered up or ignored. It would be like ignoring your oil light indicator in
your car. Eventually, something more serious can happen.
immune system is overworked and turned against itself. It has over-responded to
a naturally occurring protein. Symptoms in and of themselves should never be
covered up or ignored. It would be like ignoring your oil light indicator in
your car. Eventually, something more serious can happen.
Traditional western medicine uses steroids, antihistamines
and topical creams to block the immune response. This might work for a time,
but if the cause is not eliminated, there will be a revolving door of symptoms
and drug treatment.
and topical creams to block the immune response. This might work for a time,
but if the cause is not eliminated, there will be a revolving door of symptoms
and drug treatment.
The holistic approach is to balance the immune system and a
large portion of the immune system is in the gut. A healthy GI tract means a
healthy body.
large portion of the immune system is in the gut. A healthy GI tract means a
healthy body.
Most commercial dog foods contain artificial colorings,
flavors and preservatives. Traditionally, dog foods are made up of ingredients
unfit for human consumption. It is common for them to contain moldy grains,
spent grains, mycotoxins, poor quality proteins and artificial supplements.
Kibble is processed at high temperatures, denaturing proteins, making them hard
to digest and destroying naturally occurring vitamins and minerals.
flavors and preservatives. Traditionally, dog foods are made up of ingredients
unfit for human consumption. It is common for them to contain moldy grains,
spent grains, mycotoxins, poor quality proteins and artificial supplements.
Kibble is processed at high temperatures, denaturing proteins, making them hard
to digest and destroying naturally occurring vitamins and minerals.
This all places tremendous strain on the immune system to
identify and eliminate these foreign substances. No wonder the immune system is on overdrive.
Toxic response is shown in skin lesions and other allergic responses listed
above.
identify and eliminate these foreign substances. No wonder the immune system is on overdrive.
Toxic response is shown in skin lesions and other allergic responses listed
above.
So what can we do?
We want to allow the body to work as efficiently and easily
as possible:
as possible:
-reduce fleas
-improve the quality of food
-feed high quality, whole foods without artificial
ingredients
ingredients
-try nutritional supplements like essential fatty acids
-use natural anti-inflammatory herbs and supplements
-feed probiotics
-reduce environmental pollens – use an air filter –
certainly do not smoke around your dog
certainly do not smoke around your dog
Seek advice from a holistic vet.
Please remember that allergies are a sign that something is
wrong inside. Take a multi prong approach and consider acupuncture,
chiropractic and herbal treatment. Be patient. True healing takes time and
patient persistence!
wrong inside. Take a multi prong approach and consider acupuncture,
chiropractic and herbal treatment. Be patient. True healing takes time and
patient persistence!
With four years of nutritional training and twenty years as a Doctor of Chiropractic for both humans and animals Dr. Janice Elenbaas is the founder and owner of Lucky Dog Cuisine, and a guest blogger for PawsGo
