Stage Three Seasonal Allergies In Dogs
Stage Three allergies occur when the prescription medications from your veterinarian no longer work. This is when we refer you to veterinarian dermatologists. These specialists train for 2 3 years after obtaining their veterinarian degree, to deeply focus on single areas of study. They conduct tests on your dog to uncover the specific allergens that are causing the reactions. From there, they design customized anti-allergy serums for you to administer regularly. Such treatments can become expensive but they are extremely effective. Fortunately, Stage Three allergies are rare.
How To Tell If Your Dog Has Seasonal Allergies And Ways To Help In Chicago Il
Spring, summer, and fall bring many seasonal allergies for pets. Well take a closer look at signs of allergies in dogs, and offer some tips on their prevention and treatment. Many seasonal allergy symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, so its important to be aware of the symptoms and know what you can do to help your dog and when you should see your veterinarian.
Reducing Seasonal Dog Allergy Symptoms
There are dog-safe wipes available for purchase that make it easy for you to wipe your dogs legs and feet down after they have been outside. This will reduce the amount of time they are exposed to pollen and can help them feel better while they are inside. You may also simply use a towel and some water.
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How To Treat Seasonal Allergies In Dogs
Managing seasonal allergies in dogs is very similar to managing them in people. The first step is to reduce your dogs exposure to various allergens. Your goal is to at least alleviate, if not eliminate, your dogs symptoms. Treatment depends on what exactly is causing your dogs allergy. In general, the following tips should help.
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Symptoms Of Allergies In Dogs
The symptoms of allergies in dogs may vary depending on the cause. A dog that goes into anaphylactic shock, for instance, will have a drop in blood pressure followed by shock, which is very different from a skin condition.
In general, however, the following symptoms could be a sign of an allergic reaction.
- Swelling of the face, ears, lips, eyelids, or earflaps
- Red, inflamed skin
Supplement Your Dogs Diet
Try giving your dog a natural dietary supplement such as fish oil or a fatty acid such as omega-3 or omega-6 oil to reduce itchiness and improve overall skin health. Coconut oil has also been shown to suppress allergic reactions while contributing to healthier skin. Finally, make sure your dogs drinking water are kept clean and are free of any contaminants.
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How Veterinarians Diagnose Grass Allergies In Dogs
Your veterinarian will obtain a complete history regarding the symptoms present in your dog, including symptom duration, severity, seasonality, and treatment .
The next step would be a thorough examination of the haircoat and skin. The distribution of hair loss, any lesions on the skin such as pimples, rashes, dry or oily skin scratches due to itching, redness, or skin irritation will help determine the diagnosis.
Treatment can be initiated based on clinical symptoms alone, without any testing needed, depending on the case. If topical or conservative treatments are not effective, further testing may be needed.
Your primary veterinarian can perform serum blood testing for allergies. However, the gold standard of allergy testing and the one test that provides the most accurate result is called an Intradermal Skin Test, which is performed by a veterinary dermatologist. The intradermal test is usually performed under mild sedation. One side of the dogs abdomen is shaved, and specific allergens are injected.
The area is monitored for the presence of hives, indicating an allergic reaction to the specific allergen injected in that location. If the allergens are identified, treatment is designed specifically for the individual pet.
Another option is hyposensitization therapy, which consists of micro-dosing the pet with the allergen to build up resistance over time.
Treatment Of Grass Allergies In Dogs
The goal of treatment will be to manage symptoms, as most grass allergies in dogs cannot be cured. Treatment is based on severity of symptoms. If symptoms are mild, the following topical therapies may be recommended:
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Bathing in a hypoallergenic or mild oatmeal-based pet shampoo: Consistent bathing will help remove the allergens before they have time to be absorbed into the skin. This may help prevent or decrease the itching. There are several brands of oatmeal shampoos available without a prescription.
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Cleanliness after outdoors: Ensuring that your dogs feet and body are cleaned off after coming indoors from outside will also help prevent licking and chewing of feet, a symptom of itching. You can use mild soap and water, aloe pet wipes, or medicated wipes that contain an antimicrobial and antifungal ingredient.
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Antihistamines: Benadryl may be effective for watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing, but it is usually not effective for allergic skin conditions . Be sure to discuss dosage with your vet before giving your dog any medication, even over-the-counter medications.
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Hydrocortisone shampoo or hydrocortisone sprays: These products are typically available over-the-counter and may help alleviate the mild discomfort of red, itchy skin. Do not use creams or ointments intended for humans. These are not formulated for pets, and the thicker ointments/creams may draw attention to the area and cause more licking, exacerbating the itch.
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Canine Spring Allergy Symptoms
Spring allergies are considered seasonal allergies in most parts of the country, and they cause symptoms during the spring months as plants begin to bloom and flea populations begin to develop.
In dogs, spring allergies can be classified into two categories: atopic allergies and flea allergies. Atopic allergies are allergies thatcause a skin reaction from an inhaled allergen, such as pollen, house dust or mold. Flea allergies are caused by the dogs body having a reaction to a protein in flea saliva, and it only takes a single flea bite to set off a reaction in a sensitive dog. Both are among the most common canine allergies, with atopic allergies affecting about 15 percent of American dogs and flea allergies affecting about 40 percent of American dogs.
Canine spring allergy symptoms can include itching, scratching, and biting and chewing on the legs and paws. In more extreme cases, hair loss and hot spots may develop as your dog continues to scratch at his skin. Your dog may also sneeze, cough or have watery eyes, although skinsymptoms are more likely to occur than the typical human allergy symptoms.
Causes Of Spring Allergies In Dogs
Atopic allergies occur due to a skin reaction from an inhaled allergen, such as pollen, house dust or mold. This type of allergies affects about 15 percent of American dogs.
Conversely, flea allergies occur due to your dogs body having a reaction to a protein in flea saliva. It only takes a single flea bite to set off a reaction in a sensitive dog. Flea allergies affects about 40 percent of American dogs.
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Can Dogs Be Allergic To Cats
It is a well-known fact that some people are allergic to dog dander or cat dander, which is composed of tiny particles of shed hair and skin.
What is less well known is that dogs can also be allergic to catsand to people! Symptoms of a cat allergy in dogs are usually inflamed or itchy skin, sneezing, or a runny nose.
Veterinarians can test for an allergy to cat dander, and treat it in the same way they treat other environmental allergies.
Possible Causes Of Spring Allergies In Dogs
Allergies occur when the bodys immune system identifies some agent in the environment as dangerous. Common allergens include tree, grass, and weed pollens, as well as mold, mildew, and dust. Parasitessuch as fleascan produce reactions similar to those of allergens, so its important to recognize the symptoms and signs.
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Try A Humidifier Or Air Purifier
Humidifiers and air purifiers work well for adults and babies who have seasonal allergies, and they can also help dogs with the same problem. Run the device close to where your dog sleeps so they can have the greatest benefits from it. Keep it on a high shelf, however, so they dont get too curious or scared of it and potentially knock it over.
Dog Pollen Allergy: Symptoms And Treatment Of Hay Fever In Dogs
Temperatures are rising. Flowers are blooming. Your dog is… sniffling? Learn all about dog pollen allergies, and get tips for symptom relief, treatments and remedies.
Just like us, dogs can suffer from a wide range of allergies. They may have allergic reactions to fleas, food, or other allergens in the environment. Like pollen. But how to tell if a dog has a pollen allergy? And how to treat pollen allergy in dogs? Glad you asked. In this guide, well be covering those questions and more about hay fever in dogs.
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Treatment For Flea Allergies
Treatment for flea allergy dermatitis is aimed at reducing the symptoms of itchy skin and irritation until the fleas are eliminated. To eliminate allergy symptoms in a flea-allergic dog, strict flea control is required.
There are many highly effective flea control products and medications available. Some are topical and come in the form of a liquid that you squeeze onto your dogs skin, such as Advantage, Revolution, or Vectra. Others are given orally in the form of chews, such as Simparica, NexGard, or Comfortis. Consult with your veterinarian to determine your best option.
In severe cases, a dogs environment must be treated for fleas as well. Vacuum thoroughly to remove eggs, larvae, and pupae, and discard the vacuum bag. You can use insecticides inside and outside your home to treat all flea life stages.
It is important to use an insecticide containing an insect growth regulator, such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen, to halt the development of flea eggs and larvae. You can hire a professional exterminator, but you should specify that the treatment is for fleas.
For Fleas Consider A Dog Flea Allergy Treatment
Keeping your dog free of fleas and other pests can make a huge difference to your dogs quality of life, and your own. Spot-on treatments can help keep fleas at bay, and to kill any fleas currently on your dog, or there are pills available that you can give to your dog to kill any fleas living on it.
There are also a number of soothing anti-flea shampoos available that will remove fleas and soothe the skin all in one go.
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What Causes Seasonal Allergies In Dogs
Seasonal allergies are inhalant in nature. Allergens like pollen, grass, ragweed, trees, mould and dust become airborne in larger quantities in the spring. Just like humans, when your dog breathes them in, a cascading inflammatory response sets off in their body. Predictably, we see a steady stream of pet owners coming into our clinic seeking allergy relief for their pets around springtime. The symptoms subside eventually once the allergens dissipate from the air, however, some dogs can suffer from them all year round. Seasonal allergies cannot be cured. The best you can do is to proactively manage the symptoms to keep your pet comfortable during allergy season. Any dog can get seasonal allergies, however, some breeds, like West Highland Terriers and Labrador Retrievers, succumb to them more easily.
GNM Animal Health Tip Notice something off with your pet? Veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford shares his tip for identifying and treating your dog’s seasonal allergy symptoms.
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How To Treat Pollen Allergy In Dogs
Treatment options for pets that are mildly affected by pollen allergy can include special care products, such as face and paw wipes, shampoos or soaps and special brushes.
Benedryl is also commonly used by veterinarians to treat allergies in dogs3.
Another best practice in treating dog pollen allergy is immunotherapy. This is a basically a long-term therapy to get them less sensitive to a specific allergen, such as pollen. This treatment is personalized for each dog and can be administered over time. As a result, your dog will develop an immunity towards pollen allergens.
If you notice any dog pollen allergy symptoms, the first thing to do is to contact the vet and schedule a checkup for your four-legged friend. There are plenty of solutions and after a thorough check, a vet can tell you what the best treatment is for your furry friend.
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Does Your Dog Have Environmental Allergies
The snow is beginning to melt, and spring is in the air! Just like humans, dogs can experience seasonal allergies to certain factors in the environment. These allergies can range in severity and almost always cause discomfort.
Most dogs with allergies are genetically predisposed, meaning they have an increased likelihood of developing this condition based on their genetic makeup. Certain breeds are more likely to develop environmental allergies, such as retrievers, terriers, boxers and bulldogs, but any dog may develop them. Symptoms usually start anywhere between 1 and 6 years of age. Allergies cannot be cured, only controlled with treatment.
Common Allergens in Dogs
Symptoms
Unlike a runny nose and eyes as we get, the most common symptom of environmental allergies in dogs:
- Inflammation of the skin to be itchy, therefore the dog will lick, scratch, and rub at the affected areas.
- We often see lesions around the ears, muzzle, groin, underarms, around the eyes, and paws/toes.
- These areas are often red and raw from excessive licking and scratching. If left untreated, these lesions can become infected with bacteria or yeast which in and of themselves can worsen the itch.
Controlling Environment Allergies
Spring Allergies In Dogs
Spring allergies can affect both dogs and people, causing allergy attacks for several weeks as the seasons change and the weather warms. Although your dogs symptoms may differ from yours, both of you may find relief with the use of medications or other steps you can take to alleviate spring allergens in your home.
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Watch For Secondary Infections
When your dog is scratching for days on end, its very easy for him to develop a secondary bacterial infection. What happens is that he breaks the skin by aggressively scratching. That open lesion leads to an infection. To recognize a secondary bacterial infection, your dogs skin will look inflamed and he may have even developed scabs. He appears desperate in trying to get relief by scratching, licking, dragging his belly across the floor, etc. A bacterial infection often manifests itself in the ears. Your dog may be shaking his head, or occasionally tilting his head to one side. The ears will be inflamed and may have a brown, waxy discharge. And he will probably have a pungent doggie smell. If a secondary infection occurs, another visit to the vet is necessary, as soon as possible. The poor little guy is miserable and definitely needs an antibiotic to destroy the growth of bacteria.
Guess what else happens during this wonderful time of the year? The weather gets warmer, a little humidity pops up, and here come the fleas! Generally, the temperature needs to be at least 70 degrees for fleas and ticks to flourish, but we can have pretty warm spring weather in our region. So your dogs itching may not be related to allergies, it may be a flea issue. Check him carefully. Because of the varying temperatures in our fine state, its best to keep your dog on flea preventative all year round.But thats a subject for another blog
Happy Spring, everyone!
07/30/2018
Pet Lovers
Managing Your Dog’s Seasonal Allergies
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Did you know that dogs can get seasonal allergies just like humans? It’s true! Seasonal allergies in dogs usually manifest as itchy skin, but there are other telltale reactions. For instance, if your pooch has a runny nose, is excessively scratching, or just acting a bit off, it could very well be allergies.
Here are some ways you can identify seasonal allergies in dogs, as well as tips for getting your pet back up and running should they fall under the weather.
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Grass Allergies In Dogs Faqs
What home remedies are available for grass allergies in dogs?
OTC shampoos can be used, as well as medicated wipes . Dogs with allergies can be safely bathed twice weekly without drying the skin. The shampoo needs to contact the skin for 10 minutes, prior to rinsing.
How can I tell if my dog is allergic to grass?
If your dog plays outside in grass, walks outside in grass, or simply lives near a grassy area and experiences symptoms of red, itchy skin or feet, or sneezing and runny eyes or nose, a grass allergy is extremely likely. Your veterinarian can evaluate your dogs skin and help determine if your dog has allergies. The vet may need to do further testing to determine a treatment plan.
