Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Ach-oo! It's Allergy Season!
As plants and flowers burst into life this spring, so too do the symptoms of hay fever. Humans are not the only ones who suffer. Blooming plants, grasses and flowers can trigger allergic reactions called atopy in dogs and cats. The allergy is similar to the hay fever that makes people suffer. Your pet reacts to inhaled particles such as mold, pollen and dust. Instead of sneezing, however, pets typically have itchy skin and will persistently scratch, lick and bite to get relief. Just as in people, pets inherit a predisposition to the allergy. If left untreated, dogs and cats with seasonal allergies will scratch or lick themselves constantly. That brings on problems that can last long after hay fever season ends. With all that scratching and licking dogs and cats often create sores that become secondary infections.
If your pet shows signs of atopy for less than 3 months out of the year your veterinarian may prescribe an oral medication, like cortisone, to control itching. In severe cases, your veterinarian may recommend a skin allergy test to identify allergens (substances that trigger the allergic reaction in your pet).
The veterinarian then gives injections of the allergens in minimal doses to build up immunities in your pet's system. Other treatments for allergies include immunotherapy, antihistamine steroids and medicated shampoos.
Allergies make life miserable. If you suspect your pet is suffering from seasonal allergies, visit your veterinarian.
It’s not just pollen and grasses that you need to protect your pet from; this time of year is when many owners start using fertilizer, weed killers and pesticides in their yard. While talking to your vet ask about chemicals and plants that may be hazardous. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals offers an online guide to pet-safe gardening at www.aspca.org/pet-care-tips/pet-safe-gardening.aspx
This guide provides tips for safe use and storage of material and a list of toxic plants.
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