Mar 15, 2022 | By, For Pet's Sake
Help your dog find relief from spring allergies
Spring allergy season is quickly approaching, but don’t think the discomfort stops with your sneezing and itchy eyes. Your pets can suffer similar symptoms when the season changes, which means you’ll need to work on protecting them just as much as yourself.
It helps to know the triggers of allergies so that you can avoid them if possible. Pets commonly struggle with allergies to flea saliva, pollens, molds, and dust mites, among other triggers. With so many different allergens in the world, you may not know what is aggravating your pet’s symptoms. There are two types of allergy tests that can help you determine what your pet’s specific allergies are.
Intradermal testing is considered the most reliable option, but it is much more difficult to administer. First, only veterinary dermatologists can conduct the test. Secondly, this type of testing requires shaving your pet, anesthetizing them, and injecting them in multiple places to test for reactions to allergens.
RAST testing is much simpler because it only requires one blood sample that your primary veterinarian can take. The problem is that these tests aren’t as accurate as the intradermal tests.
If you can’t get ahead of your pet’s allergies, look out for the following symptoms. It will ease your mind knowing that the likely cause of these symptoms is an allergic reaction and not something more serious.
- Excessive scratching and biting of the skin
- Red, inflamed skin
- Excessive shedding
- Paw licking
- Scooting their butt along the floor
- Recurring ear infections
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing and wheezing
- Conjunctivitis
Of course, it’s always a good idea to consult your veterinarian when you are worried about recurring or severe symptoms that are plaguing your pet.
You have a few different options for treating your pet’s allergies. You can try to avoid the allergen altogether, but that’s often only effective if your pet is allergic to specific foods. Seasonal allergies are best treated with antihistamines, corticosteroids, or hypoallergenic shampoo. You might also try allergy shots if you want to take a more aggressive approach to stopping your pet’s allergies.
Have a question about pet health? Want to become the best possible pet parent? Find helpful tips, reminders, and insight to giving your furry friend the best possible care with For Pet’s Sake! Learn more at drdevonsmith.com.
