ACHOO!
It’s that time of year: In much of the country, spring means pollen, mold and other allergens start playing havoc with our sinuses, skin and eyes. We’ve got watery, bloodshot eyes. Itchy skin. Sinuses that feel like they might explode. Noses that won’t stop running.
Turns out, though, all that gunk isn’t just making us miserable. It might also be affecting our pets, especially dogs and cats. While they may sometimes sneeze like we do, there are other symptoms pet owners should take into consideration.
And, just like for us, there are ways to find relief from allergy symptoms for your pets.
“A huge percentage of my day is treating pets plagued with allergies,” said Sarah Cortright, a small animal veterinarian based in Southern California who specializes in treating dogs and cats. Some of the most popular dog breeds, including French bulldogs, pugs and bulldogs, are especially prone to allergies, which usually originate with skin irritation, she explained.
Of course, our pets can’t tell us what’s bothering them, so pet owners need to narrow down what might be causing their pets’ trouble. Just like with humans, many pets’ allergies have environmental causes, said Cortright: “At the same time people might be sneezing more, their pets might start to have issues with their skin. It can be anything… grass, pollen, or parasites.”
Here’s what you need to know:
Some signs your pet might have seasonal allergies
According to PetMD, common allergy symptoms in dogs include itchy skin, excessive scratching and licking, excessively rubbing its face on surfaces like furniture and the floor, red skin, loss of fur, reoccurring skin and ear infections and gastrointestinal issues like loose stools or vomiting. Cortright also mentioned that animals might lick their paws excessively, and dogs may “scoot” and bite at their skin.
Pollen, dust mites, fleas, plant or animal fibers, even mold spores — all the things that bother us — can also cause allergic reactions in our pets.
“And think about your pet’s history,” Cortright added. “Is this something that has always been there? Is it progressive or seasonal?”
It might be hard to limit outdoor access for some pets, especially dogs, so Cortright suggests first making sure it isn’t a food allergy by eliminating types of foods gradually to rule out things like particular proteins that might be causing symptoms.
Just one flea bite, too, can cause irritation, Cortright noted, so it’s important to check for fleas and ticks. PetMD says pet owners should look for black dots, like coffee grounds, at the base of the animal’s fur, which is actually fleas’ excrement.
Treating your pets’ seasonal allergies
Once a food allergy and fleas are ruled out, Cortright said, pet owners have some options. They can get their dog or cat tested by a pet dermatologist, but that can be time-consuming and costly.
Keeping pets up to date on their flea, tick and parasite medications is very important to protect their overall health, Cortright said, protecting not only against the blood-sucking bugs but also against mites and mange. Gentle, cleansing baths can help ease skin irritation and clear pollen and other irritants from fur as well.
There are medications available to help with persistent skin conditions, Cortright said. And simple steps can also help: wiping pets’ paws with gentle, water-based wipes when they come from outdoors; keeping floors clean to reduce pollen and dust; and vacuuming carpets and rugs and discarding the bags to rid the home of fleas.
Topical and oral medications are available by prescription. Cortright said owners should take pets to their veterinarian if symptoms persist or worsen: “Monitor the level of itching,” she advised. “On a 1-to-10 scale, with 10 being the worst, anything over 4 or 5 is where you want to see treatment because then they can cause self-trauma by scratching or biting, and that can lead to infection.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to recognize pet allergies, treat your furry pals
