Itchy eyes, runny nose, coughing, sneezing…as the beautiful spring flowers come into bloom, many of us begin suffering from some less-than-beautiful allergies. To deal with the discomfort, we may try over-the-counter antihistamines as our symptoms merit. However, some of our allergies are so severe that we require prescription medications, allergy testing, or even allergy injections.
Did you know that our pets can suffer from allergies as well? Sometimes we’ll see watery eyes or sneezing in our dogs and cats, but itchy skin and ear infections are the most common signs. And, while food, carpet fibers, or cleaning products can be sources of your pets’ allergies, dogs and cats can have reactions to the same seasonal culprits that plague us. Breathing in pollen or brushing up against fresh tree sap might lead to itching, inflammation, and hair loss, and possibly to pain and secondary infection.
Your vet can provide you with proper medication and dosing that can help your pet get through a standard allergy season, whether the problem is springtime pollen, summer grasses, autumn leaf mold, or winter dust mites. Yet certain dogs and cats deal with allergies year-round, with new seasons bringing on new flare-ups. Standard veterinary-prescribed antihistamines can’t always do the job to alleviate these pets’ suffering. In these cases, allergy testing may be in order.
A simple blood test, sent to an outside lab, can determine the cause of your dog or cat’s allergic distress. Then a serum can be formulated for allergy injections that can help your pet lead a more comfortable life. The injections can be administered in your vet’s office, or you may be able to learn how to give them on your own at home.
Most of us know how miserable allergies can make us feel. Our dogs and cats can’t speak to let us know of their troubles, but bright red itchy skin and ears, sneezing, and watery eyes are clues to watch out for. Allergic reaction is not always the cause of these symptoms, but your vet can help you make that deduction. While we may appreciate the beauty of the arrival of May flowers, we and our pets shouldn’t have to suffer because of them!
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