Spring is just around the corner and if you’re anything like me, you know before anyone else that the plants are in bloom. That’s because your nose gets runny, you start sneezing uncontrollably, you get red, itchy eyes and you’ve purchased stock in Kleenex brand tissues. It’s unbearable. There are days when I’m pretty sure I’m going to get whiplash from all the sneezing.

Pet’s can get seasonal allergies too. Usually, allergies in dogs and cats (and some other pets) don’t cause sneezing, itchy eyes, or a runny nose like they do in us. In most pets, allergies cause skin irritation. Itchy, red, and inflamed skin and/or skin pustules that they will itch, chew, and scratch leading to bigger and deeper skin infections. You may have heard them called “hot spots.” Itchy, raw feet, and ear infections can also be symptoms of allergies. Unlike food allergies or other types of allergies, seasonal allergies are, well, seasonal. They show up during a specific period when that allergen is blooming or pollinating. In fact, one way we rule out other types of allergies such as a food allergy, flea allergy, or other type of allergy is that the client tells us, “Fido only gets really itchy for a couple of months in the (insert season here), then it goes away in the (insert other season here).” Of course, that doesn’t prove it’s not another type of allergy, but it goes a long way to figuring it out.

So how do we figure out exactly what Fido is allergic to? The easiest and cheapest way is by narrowing it down. If your pet only gets itchy when exposed to certain things like fabric softener, a certain meat or grain, fleas, etc, and we remove that from their environment, we can safely assume that’s the culprit. But if you want to know exactly what Fido is allergic to, especially if Fido has year-round allergies or is allergic to multiple things, you have to have specialized allergy testing done. This is usually performed at a Veterinary Dermatologist’s office (yes, those do exist). Once the allergy testing is done and the allergens are determined, a treatment in the form of a specialized “vaccine” can be given that can dramatically decrease the severity or eliminate the symptoms entirely. This treatment usually takes 4-6 months to take effect and works in about 65-75% of cases. But when it is effective, life is infinitely better. It’s also not inexpensive, so this route is usually saved for those cases where multiple allergens are suspected and other forms of treatment are either not effective or not tolerated by Fido.

But back to seasonal allergies. If it truly is just seasonal and Fido only chews himself raw from April to June, and finding out exactly what he is allergic to isn’t your goal, there are few treatments you and your veterinarian can discuss. Remember, I am not a veterinarian. I will never give you advice other than, go see your veterinarian and have a relationship with your veterinarian.  If you’re not happy with the veterinarian you currently see, find one that you are comfortable with.  

What I am going to do is tell you what to expect so you aren’t overwhelmed by all the information you receive once you get to your vet.  Much of the best treatment for allergies, regardless of species, is to treat it before it becomes a problem. If you have allergies, you probably know that if you take an allergy pill at the first sneeze, it usually works better and faster than if you wait until you’re feeling like Spring wants to kill you. The same is true for your pets. Starting a preventative medication like an antihistamine prescribed by your veterinarian can stop the itching and scratching before it becomes a problem. Your veterinarian can also prescribe oral steroids, shampoos, or other medications if the antihistamine isn’t enough.

There are also a number of more holistic treatments that can be prescribed. A Veterinarian that specializes in holistic treatments like chinese herbs, acupuncture, etc., can prescribe a treatment plan to help your pet.

The most important bit of information I can give you is to see your veterinarian and tell them as much as you can about when your pet gets itchy. Your vet can then form a treatment plan that can help your pet get through the worst of it without traumatizing him or herself. The last thing you should do is surf the internet and try treatments you find there. Many things listed can actually do more harm than good.

Finally, whatever your veterinarian prescribes, follow the instructions completely.  If you can’t follow the instructions or your pet isn’t tolerating the treatment, communicate that to the vet.  Something can almost always be done to make it easier for you and Fido. 

So there you go. I’ve just looked at the weather forecast for today. It’s going to be Sunny & 75 degrees and I need to get some gardening done.  Wish me luck!  

Source:  SouthEast Veterinary Dermatology and Ear Clinic (2017) Retrieved from http://southeastvetderm.vet/services/