As we all know from the annoying thick coat of yellow pollen all over our cars and patios, we are in the height of pollen season in Florida. Just like us humans, some dogs can suffer the aggravating effects seasonal allergies and experience swollen eyes, runny noses, sneezing, and itchy skin just like their owners. Unlike their owners, dogs can scratch themselves raw trying to eradicate that itch, making it crucial to alleviate their symptoms as soon as allergic reactions appear.
The Three Most Common Types of Allergies in Pets
Allergic reactions happen when foreign substances over-activate the immune system. These over-reactions can cause symptoms that present themselves as flea allergies, food allergies, and environmental allergies.
Environmental Allergies
These can include plant and tree pollens, mold spores, dust, feathers, and bee stings. Symptoms of environmental allergies can be anything from sneezing and runny eyes and noses to hives and swelling of the face, ears, lips, eyelids, and ear flaps. Constant licking is another sign of an environmental irritant your pet is reacting to. In some rare cases, dogs can go into anaphylactic shock, which must be treated immediately by a veterinarian or emergency vet clinic after hours.
Flea Allergies
Flea allergies are the most common allergic reaction in dogs. Some pets are allergic to flea saliva, which is why some pets can obsessively itch fleabites, especially at the base of the tail, and inflame the skin. Secondary infections can also occur as bacteria is introduced through small tears in the skin. Florida’s gentle climate means that fleas live year-around here, so it’s important to talk to your veterinarian about flea preventatives you can give orally each month to keep the pests at bay.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are often confused with skin allergies, but the symptoms present themselves in different way. Dogs and cats with food allergies ten to itch their ears and paws, and often have gastrointestinal symptoms as well, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Your vet can suggest the best diet for pets with food allergies.
How Do You Treat Allergies in Pets?
The simplest answer is to avoid those allergens in the first place. For instance, the best way to treat a flea allergy is to eliminate the fleas. Food allergies can often be alleviated by a change in diet. Environmental allergies might be avoided by changing up your daily routine, such as walking a different route or avoiding walking your dog in the early morning or late afternoon when pollen levels are highest. When you return home from your walk, take a moment to wipe your dog’s paws with a moist cloth or hypoallergenic, fragrance-free grooming wipe. This will remove pollens from fur and skin in between baths.
Inside your home, it’s important to regularly change air filters to reduce airborne allergies, and opting to run the air conditioner or dehumidifier rather than opening windows to the springtime (and often pollen-filled) air. You should also minimize the amount of time your pets spend in damp environments, such as bathrooms or laundry rooms, where mold is more likely to grow.
It’s also important to keep your pet’s bedding clean and allergen-free. Make sure to wash bedding in hot water once a week. You can also put towels or blankets on top of bedding in between washes. Don’t forget to wash soft toys at the same time, as they can harbor allergens, too.
Be Generous With Bath Time
A ten-minute soak in a bath mixed with a gentle moisturizing oil can help relieve irritated skin. Some pet owners report that a colloidal oatmeal bath is a good way to soothe red, irritated skin. Use a gentle, hypoallergenic anti-itch shampoo that contains soothing ingredients like aloe or evening primrose oil. Your veterinarian can also recommend prescription-strength shampoos, oils and topical treatments for extreme cases.
The veterinarians at Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics can help you identify the source of the allergic reaction and ways to treat them effectively. Whether it’s a prescription diet, such as Hill’s Science Diet, or a topically applied serum, the vets at Jacksonville Community Pet Clinic can steer you in the right direction and get your pet some needed relief. In severe cases, they might also recommend a series of allergen injections and slowly increase the dose over time to build up your pet’s immune response to a specific allergen. Over-the-counter antihistamines, such as Benadryl, can also be prescribed for a daily dose of allergy prevention.
