Plastic Allergy in Dogs
When it comes to protecting your dog's health, you are the first line of defense. Most dogs that develop contact allergies--a reaction to something in its environment--are diagnosed because their owners noticed their symptoms and contacted a veterinarian. Plastic is one substance that could trigger dog allergies, and according to the "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook," plastic allergies in dogs are not uncommon.
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Dog Allergies
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Every day, your dog is exposed to substances called allergens. These allergens are not harmful to most dogs or to people. If your dog's immune system is sensitive to an allergen, then it will react to the presence of the allergen as though it is a threat to your dog's health. This results in an allergic reaction. Allergens include pollen from trees, weeds and other plants. Your dog could also be allergic to chemicals and plastics, according to the ASPCA.
Symptoms
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If your dog is allergic to plastic, it might develop contact dermatitis on its nose, mouth and chin. Contact dermatitis is often characterized by inflamed skin that is covered by red bumps. Your dog's skin could also be swollen, and you might see the dog scratching at the bumps, according to "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Dog Health and Nutrition." In some cases, dogs begin to lose fur on their noses as part of the allergic reaction. The hair loss might also spread from your dog's nose down its muzzle.
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Causes
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Most dogs with allergies to plastics come in contact with them while eating or drinking from plastic water dishes or playing with toys with plastic parts. Even though your dog might have used plastic dishes in the past without any problem, they are still the likely trigger for a plastic allergy, according to "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Dog Health and Nutrition." Dogs can develop allergies at any point during their lives.
Treatment
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The best way to treat a dog's allergy is to remove the allergen from its environment. If your dog has a plastic allergy, you can switch to using dishes made of ceramics, glass or stainless steel. If your dog has toys made of plastic, remove them from your home. After your dog stops coming in contact with plastic, the allergic reaction should stop and its symptoms will disappear, according to the "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook."
Considerations
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If you have more than one dog in your household, one could develop contact dermatitis as a result of a plastic allergy while the others do not. Your dog could also react to chemicals found in some plastic dishes that can block melanin production. If this happens, the pigment could fade from your dog's nose, changing the color from black to light brown or even pink, according to the "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook."
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References
- Photo Credit Dog image by CiberZoom from Fotolia.com
