If you have been sneezing and blowing your nose this spring, you know what it’s like to deal with seasonal allergies. But what about your pet? When we think of pets and allergies, we often think of our reaction to them. Pet dander, after all, is a common allergen that bothers a lot of people.
One thing we don’t often associate between pets and allergies is the fact that our pets can suffer from allergies just like we do. How’s that for turning the tables?
Well, it’s not very fun, for your pet or for you.
How susceptible your pet is to allergies depends on the species and breed. Some breeds of dogs, for example, are more likely to have allergies than others. Terriers, retrievers, and flat-faced breeds like that adorable pug, tend to suffer from allergies more than others.
The things that tend to bother pets the most include environmental allergies like the same things that bother us. These include pollen from trees, grass, and weeds as well as mold and other airborne allergens. In addition to those, there are things that we put into the air like perfumes, cleaning products, and cigarette smoke. Other culprits are food and medications.
If your pet suffers from allergies, she could demonstrate a number of symptoms such as itchy irritated skin, red or watery eyes, snoring from congestion, increased scratching, even vomiting and other severe responses. If your pet demonstrates these symptoms, take her to your veterinarian for an evaluation. If your vet suspects allergies are at play, then tests can be conducted to narrow down the specific allergens involved. Skin tests, food tests, and other screening can be done to determine the problem.
Your veterinarian will recommend reducing or eliminating your pet’s exposure to suspected allergens like specific foods or fragrances. If an environmental element is at play, your vet may prescribe medication.
Talk to your vet today so you can help your pet cope with potential allergies and their difficult symptoms.