An outstanding aspect of The Allergy Solution for Dogs is the author's philosophy that a combination of both conventional and complementary (alternative) therapies can provide the most benefit. He believes that it is essential to look at the "whole pet" and prescribe what is best for that particular dog and circumstance. In the introduction, he says, "As a holistic doctor, I prefer to 'treat the pet' rather than, at best, treat a disease, or at worst, treat signs and symptoms."
The first three chapters discuss allergy and diagnosis. The typical allergic condition in dogs is atopic dermatitis, caused by reactions to pollen, molds, dust mites, fleas, etc. Some dogs also have food allergies, but this is rarer. The most common allergy symptom is scratching, but the animal can have other symptoms as well. This is a not a do-it-yourself book; Dr. Messonnier emphasizes the importance of getting an accurate diagnosis, since other skin conditions can be mistakened for allergy. To complicate matters, some of these conditions can occur in conjunction with atopic dermatitis.
Chapters 4, 5, and 6 cover the various treatments that can be prescribed. The first choice in conventional treatment is corticosteroids. Antihistamines and, occasionally, immunotherapy are also used. Corticosteroids, while extremely effective in controlling symptoms, have many side effects, especially after long-term use. Alternative treatments allow you to eliminate or reduce the use of corticosteroids. The main alternative therapies include: hypoallergenic or medicated shampoos; proper diet; and nutritional supplements. Both conventional and complementary therapies are discussed in detail in these chapters. Addditonal alternatives are also described, such as: herbal medicines, acupuncture, and homeopathy. In his clinical practice, the author has had great success with the various complementary therapies and with fewer side effects.
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