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Airborne Allergies & Your Dog
Like humans, some dogs suffer from “Hay Fever” by reacting to inhaled grass pollen in spring and summer or ragweed pollen in late summer and early autumn. A clue to diagnosing these allergies is to look at the timing of the reaction. Does it happen year round? This may be mold or dust. Is the reaction seasonal? Pollens may be the culprit.
When allergens are swirling in the air, an allergic dog will start to scratch, lick and bite his body, chew his paws, shake his head, and rub his face along the carpet for relief from the itch.
Constant chewing or scratching can lead to hot spots on his skin, followed by skin infections. Allergies can also lead to stomach and intestinal problems, including vomiting and diarrhoea.
Fortunately there is plenty you can do to provide your dog with relief.
- Bathe the pain away. A cool bath in medicated shampoos or rinses can be done frequently but provides only temporary relief. However, it does ease the itching and allow the skin to heal. Consult your vet first because some sprays and ointments many do more harm than good.
- Ready for his shots. Allergy shots for dogs are very safe and many people have great success with them. However, they are very slow to work. It may be six to twelve months before improvement is seen.
- Antihistamines. These drugs can be used with relative safety in dogs. The major side effect is drowsiness. Check with your vet on correct use and dosage, because you may have to try more than one type before finding the formula that does the trick.
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids. These food additives are natural anti-inflammatory agents and prove helpful for some dogs. They are certainly worth a try because they are not harmful and have virtually no side effects.
- Steroids. Corticosteroids, such as Prednisone, are often prescribed for dogs who scratch and bite themselves to the point of skin infections. These compounds stop your dog from itching by reducing inflammation. Unfortunately, they also affect every organ in his body. They should be used carefully and sparingly as they may cause liver problems.
- Environmental Control. Some inhalant allergies are seasonal. Others, like household dust, mold and spores, can affect your dog all year round. Avoiding allergens is the best prevention. Make sure to regularly vacuum and dust off areas where your dog spends time and keep his bedding dust-free. Molds can be reduced by using a dehumidifier or placing activated charcoal on top of the exposed dirt in your house plants. Dusts and pollens are best controlled by using an air cleaner with a HEPA filter.
Remember, there is no magic pill to deal with dog allergies. And shortcuts usually don’t work. Be systematic in your treatment of your dog’s allergies and there’s a good chance he’ll end up finding relief from his the worst affects of allergies.
Article re-printed from www.pedigree.com.
