Maltese Allergies – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

The Maltese is a small toy dog breed and a perfect companion dog. However, like most dogs, they are prone to developing certain allergies. Small dogs are more prone to a wider range of allergies both inside the house and outside. Some of the most common signs of Maltese allergies include skin symptoms such as dermatitis, itchy dry skin, which can occur on any area of the body. In some cases, this may also be associated with fur loss or more fur loss than usual. You may notice that the skin on the face and stomach is dry, red and scaly or there may be small bumps. If skin is itchy, you may notice that your pet scratches or chews on itself and, in severe case, they may even break the skin, leading to bleeding and open sores. As open sores have the potential to become infected, particularly with continued scratching, they may need to be treated separately from the cause of the allergy. Skin allergies may be associated with environmental causes. You may notice that your pet's allergies come and go, and are often worse when they are around the allergen. Causes of skin allergies can include dust bites, pollen and dander, chemicals such as perfume, cleaning materials, air fresheners and mold. Inhalation of certain allergens such as pollen or dander can lead to respiratory symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing or wheezing.

Food allergies can cause a wide variety of symptoms including diarrhea or vomiting, including dry heaving. Your Maltese may also experience asthma-like symptoms, fever or lethargy. Often food allergies are caused by changes to your pet's diet or medication. Some allergies may be seasonal,particularly in the case of pollens whereas others may remain until the offending allergen is identified and removed. It can be difficult for pet owners to identify allergens, but looking to your dog's diet or exposure to new environments is often the first step. If the cause cannot be found pet owners are advised to see their veterinarian who may be able to carry out blood tests or skin allergy tests. These are particularly useful for allergens that are being inhaled or lead to skin symptoms. Food allergy testing is much harder and may require an elimination diet to find the cause.

Antihistamines are particularly effective for seasonal allergies amongst others. However, they may have a slightly sedative effect. For more severe symptoms, your veterinarian may suggest the use of corticosteroids to stop your dog's body's immune reaction. As these may be associated with side effects, the pros and cons of using these must be discussed with your doctor. Allergy shots can be considered as a preventative measure. Avoiding the allergens in the first place is often considered the best ways to manage allergens and avoiding outdoor areas when pollen is at its peak, removing environmental toxins from the house environment, such as reducing the use of air fresheners in the areas your pet often inhabits, can be beneficial.