The symptoms displayed by a dog suffering from skin atopy is often similar to cases of flea allergy dermatitis, food allergies, scabies, mange and other common skin conditions. In order to identify the underlying cause, your veterinarian will be asking you questions about the complete history of your pet’s condition. Thus,it is important for pet owners to take note when the symptoms first appeared so it will be easier to see if there is a seasonal pattern of occurrence. In order to arrive at a correct diagnosis, your vet will perform skin scrapings, a skin biopsy, bacterial and fungal cultures, and a hypoallergenic test diet in an effort to find out if the allergy is link to food intake. Since a dog can be hypersensitive to many types of allergens, it is often impossible to protect him from being exposed to all of them. However, it is possible to limit your dog’s exposure to specific allergens. Your Dayton, TN vet may prescribe antihistamines and corticosteroid to help control itching but make sure to follow the exact dosage to prevent serious side effects. Schedule an appointment today!