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Do you encounter yourself getting sneezy and sniffly during the change of season ? You ’re not alone — it ’s estimated that more than 25 percent of grownup in the United States ache from seasonal allergy ( 1 ) .
Naturally , you might be marvel if seasonal allergy can affect our eye tooth comrade , too . And if so , do dogs experience the same allergy symptoms as human race ? Keep take to find out .
Can Dogs Have Seasonal Allergies?
Yes , dogs can have seasonal allergy ! Seasonal or environmental allergies are comparatively unwashed in dogs , but they do n’t cause the same symptoms as they do in human beings , enjoin Emily Swiniarski , DVM , chief aesculapian policeman of PAWS Chicago . “ The conflict between click and homo is that detent typically show seasonal allergy through hide and ear disease , ” she describes .
While any dog can experience seasonal allergy , they are more usual in certain breeds . Shar - Peis , Wirehaired Fox Terriers , Golden Retrievers , Dalmatians , Boxers , Boston Terriers , Labrador Retrievers , Lhasa Apsos , Scottish Terriers , Shih Tzus , and West Highland White Terriers are noted as being more susceptible to developing seasonal allergies ( 2 ) .
WhatCausesSeasonal Allergies in Dogs?
Seasonal allergic reaction in dogs can be triggered by a wide range of irritants , include “ different sort of pollen , dust , grass , essentially anything that a human may be allergic to outside , ” Dr. Swiniarski explain .
“ Dogs can also be sensitized to fleas , which tend to come in out during the bounce and summer — just when plants commence to flower , ” she supply . “ As such , it can be difficult to regulate whether an allergic reaction is related to something like pollen or flea bites . ”
Seasonal allergies most often manifest as skin and ear irritation in dog . unluckily , these are also symptoms of food allergies in dogs . “ Skin and spike disease are the most usual symptoms of food allergies in detent , but intellectual nourishment allergy can also ensue in GI ( gastrointestinal ) disease , ” Dr. Swiniarski explain . “ So intermittent disgorgement , soft stool , or occasional looseness of the bowels all indicate a food allergy rather than a seasonal allergy . ”
Dog Seasonal AllergySymptoms
Again , the biggest signs that a dog is suffer from seasonal allergies certify in their cutis and ears . Possible symptom of seasonal allergies in dogs admit :
Non - ear related allergy symptom can materialize anywhere on a dog ’s body , but you ’re more potential to notice it in area where the fur is fragile , like on the belly .
And , whilesneezingisn’t on the list of vulgar dog allergy symptoms , do n’t rule it out wholly . “ That does n’t think of that there ca n’t be some clear nasal discharge because of seasonal allergies , but that ’s not a coarse symptom , ” Dr. Swiniarski say .
diagnose the cause of an allergic reaction in dogs can become complicated , Dr. Swiniarski suppose . “ Any dog could be allergic to one of three things — flea , intellectual nourishment , or seasonal triggers , ” she says . “ You have to rule each possible allergic reaction out . The biggest hint , however , is that seasonal allergies are seasonal . They do n’t last all year . ”
DiagnosingSeasonal Allergies in Dogs
Suspected allergies do n’t necessarily command that you jump in the car and hasten Fido to the ex-serviceman . If your dog has some of the above symptom but seems well-situated , you may monitor them at menage to see if the symptoms turn over .
“ However , if he ’s scratching so severely that he ’s phlebotomise or is header shake or scratching at his pinna , something hurts and you need to go to the veterinary surgeon decently away , ” Dr. Swiniarski says . She adds that if your dog has deep , green nasal discharge or is cough , you should make a veteran assignment .
Once your frump is being essay , the vet will take a detailed history to try and determine the allergic reaction trigger . However , since allergies can be difficult to name , a history might not be enough to determine what your dog is reacting to .
There are a couple ofdog allergic reaction teststhat vets might use to serve name a seasonal allergy . The first is an intradermic allergy mental testing . Intradermal allergy test can only be administered by veterinary dermatologists , and they ask shaving a mend of your dog ’s pelt and scratching their skin with allergen to see if there is a chemical reaction . This is interchangeable to how allergists make diagnosis in humans .
There is also something called a RAST ( radioallergosorbent ) exam . RAST test are blood tests that face for certain allergy antigens . A RAST test is much easier to administer than an intradermic allergy test , because your regular veterinary can do a simple blood draw . However , RAST tests are not as definitive as intradermal examination and are known for produce false positives .
How to TreatDog Seasonal Allergies
There are several treatments useable for dogs with seasonal allergy that your veterinarian may urge .
Medicated shampoo could make a difference if the allergen sticks to the dog ’s fur . You could also try add on withomega-3 fatty acids , which have been shown to have a irrefutable burden on dogs with allergy symptom .
Your veterinarian may also advocate flip your dog to a therapeutical diet that is formulated to help manage peel problems and environmental allergies in dogs , such as Royal Canin Skintopic . This diet is scientifically prove to exempt itchy skin in dogs , improving their quality of life . It also features a singular complex of nutrients to support the pelt ’s natural protective barrier and immunity .
If your frank is really uncomfortable , your ex-serviceman may commend antihistamine . Dr. Swiniarski notes that one of the most pop antihistamine , Benadryl , has flow out of favour with a lot of veteran .
“ Benadryl is a very weak antihistamine . We have much more effective options today , ” she explain . “ Also , Benadryl has a lot of side effects . It can make dogs very drowsy , and in rarified case it can have the diametric upshot and make dog hyper . ”
Dr. Swiniarski frequently recommends cetirizine , which you plausibly bang asZyrtec . “ you could bribe it over the counterpunch , you only need one dose a day , and it ’s secure and more effective than Benadryl , ” she says .
While effective , antihistamine do take some time to kick in . Dr. Swiniarski says that you wo n’t see their full force until your dog has been taking them for at least a month . For fast - acting relief , your veterinarian may prescribe Apoquel , an unwritten tablet for dogs that stops allergic itch at the origin . It start to palliate itching within four hours and controls it within 24 hours .
And remember : NEVERgive your pet any new medication or accessory without checking with your vet first . They will give guidance regarding dosage and potential drug interaction .
PreventingSeasonal Allergies in Dogs
While it ’s impossible to defend your hot dog from all potential allergy initiation , there are ways to mitigate symptom . For example , if your detent is allergic to debris or pollen , you might need to clean house your theatre more often . You could also consider buy air purifiers or mellow - efficiency air filter . The best course of action is to work with your vet to find the right discussion alternative for your pet . It could be a compounding of medicinal drug and additional grooming , or maybe omega-3 supplementation will do the trick . Sometimes , finding the solution take some trial run and misplay .
