Cyclosporine is an immunossupresant drug that is commonly used in allergic dogs. Although the exact mechanism of action is not understood, it appears to decrease allergy symptoms by dampening the cell-mediated immune response. ... << MORE >>

For these cases, I recommend Allergen Specific Immunotherapy (ASIT). Although it is costly, this treatment has the fewest long-term side effects for the dog. ... << MORE >>

Because of the side effects, I reserve steroid therapy for dogs with severe cases of allergies and allergies that are  not responding to other treatments. ... << MORE >>

When working up a dog with allergies, I perform several tests to rule out other diseases before launching into a food trial or specific allergen test. In my experience, dogs with allergies often suffer with skin infections caused by bacteria and yeast. Mange is a third common problem that can be misdiagnosed as allergies. ... << MORE >>

There is a myth that some breeds of dogs are hypoallergenic. I wish this were true, but sadly it is not. ... << MORE >>

Once a dog has been diagnosed with allergies (allergic dermatitis), the next step is to determine the specific cause and remove it. ... << MORE >>

With spring right around the corner, I thought it was time to do a series of blog posts on allergies. Allergies may develop at any age but typically dogs start showing signs around two or three years of age. ... << MORE >>

Obese Schnauzers are prone to developing a blood disorder that may lead to serious problems. What is the name of this possibly inherited disease?  What are the clinical signs? 
... << MORE >>

As you may know, ticks carry a serious disease commonly referred to as "Tick Fever". What is the scientific name for the disease?  What are the clinical signs of this disease?  ... << MORE >>

Recently, I've had several people ask me about raw pet diets commonly called BARF. ... << MORE >>