The weather is starting to warm up, and with that will come the return of seasonal allergies. Humans are not the only ones affected; our pets, particularly dogs, are also susceptible to allergies.
In fact, it is among the most prevalent conditions in dogs this time of year. The scratching, paw licking, chewing, skin rashes and chronic ear infections are all signals that the itchy season has returned.
Treatment options will vary based on the cause of a pet’s specific allergies — and figuring out the culprit is half the battle. My dog, Romeo, has severe allergies, and getting to the bottom of his condition took nearly a year and a lot of trial and error.
Pets can experience various types of allergies, many of which have multiple triggers.
In general, allergies show up in dogs in three ways:
SKIN: The dog will itch and scratch. He may constantly chew and lick at his paws or may develop skin sores or lesions. Ear infections and yeast on the toenails are also signs of skin allergies.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: The dog will cough, sneeze, wheeze and may have nasal or eye discharge.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: The dog may vomit or have diarrhea.
There are several common causes for allergies including:
POLLEN: Pollen is what triggers Romeo’s allergies. An allergic reaction to pollen can cause swelling and itching. A dog’s skin may become flaky and dry, and this in turn can cause excessive scratching. The feet are especially sensitive, and a dog may lick or chew on his feet to try to alleviate the itching.
Constant licking of the groin area, rubbing of the face, inflamed ears, recurrent ear infections, recurrent hot spots, and sometimes respiratory problems, including wheezing and coughing, are all symptoms of this allergy.
If the dog has an allergic reaction to pollen, it is best to keep him indoors as much as possible to limit contact with the pollen. A nice bath with an oatmeal shampoo can help soothe the symptoms.
FLEAS: As the weather heats up, fleas will soon return in full force. If a dog is allergic to fleas, just one bite can cause severe itching and swelling of the affected area. Dogs may scratch, lick or chew the bites, often resulting in open sores and loss of hair in that area.
Flea treatments will kill the fleas. However, the entire environment must be treated as well, as these pests can reside in the carpet and reinfect the dog upon contact. Giving pets a monthly flea preventive year-round is crucial to keeping them free of fleas.
FOOD: Food allergy symptoms include itching of the face, feet, trunk, limbs and anal areas, ear infections that are often yeast-related and skin infections that may go away with antibiotics but then recur as soon as the antibiotic is completed. In some cases, dogs with true food allergies may have increased bowel movements and soft stool. Getting to the bottom of a food allergy takes patience.
CONTACT: This is a less common allergic reaction that happens when a pet comes into contact with certain materials such as carpets, cleaners or plastic. Symptoms of a contact allergy include red itchy bumps or blisters on the belly, feet, or muzzle and can result in intense scratching and hair loss.
Romeo has occasionally had an allergic reaction to carpet and other materials when we travel with him and stay in a condo, cabin, etc.
Allergies can be tricky. Working with your vet or even a specialist is important to getting a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, and it may take several experiments and periods of “wait and see” to get to the root cause of a dog’s specific allergies.
Events
MARCH 15: Petsmart adoption event for ARNO from noon to 4 p.m. at 6851 Veterans Blvd., Metairie. Meet adorable puppies and dogs. All approved adopters will receive a coupon book from Petsmart and a new bed from ARNO. For more information, email adopt@animalrescueneworleans.org.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
