As with humans, its quite common for dogs to suffer from seasonal allergies. The important things is to keep an eye out on your beloved pet and watch for any signs or symptoms that he may be giving off. Especially during the spring and autumn seasons, these are the most important times to keep your guard up as pollen and other allergens are all over the place. Watch out for sneezing, runny nose and eyes, etc.. the same kind of symptoms you would be looking for in yourself, or your children. They really don’t react all that differently that you or I, the only difference is that they can’t come and complain. They simply have to endure the symptoms unless you have noticed they’re affected and help them out. After all, it’s your dog and you want to make his life as enjoyable as possible, and allergic reactions can be extremely uncomfortable.
First up on the list of potential offenders are fleas. These little critters are annoying for so many reasons, and your dog could have picked them up for somewhere outside. Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so be proactive and don’t let your dog outside without some sort of flea protection. Flea collars work well, and they’re only a few bucks at the local pet store so pick one up. Some dogs can be extremely allergic to flea bites, so if they’ve gotten past your first line of defense, your next goal is to get rid of them. This isn’t easy, as fleas are pretty enduring little bugs. Speak to your vet about some potential treatments, there are a variety of topical creams and oral medications your dog can take to get rid of them. The chemical medications can be extremely strong though, which is why it’s a good idea to speak with your vet first. They can make a decision base on your dog’s weight, height, age, and medical history to ensure there are no adverse reactions which would harm or be kill your pet.
If your dog has trouble only in the fall or spring, it could be a seasonal thing. This means that the likely culprit for your pet’s sniffing and sneezing could be pollens, weeds, and grass which are in bloom at this time of the year. A common method of dealing with allergic reactions in this case is to give them some common antihistamine medications. They work just as well on dogs as they do on humans, and will provide him with the same level of relief. If you’re about to go out for a walk, or to the park, try grinding up a small dosage of antihistamines and placing it in their food. It’s usually best to give them the medication before they get the symptoms, not after.
You might also consider installing a HEPA filter in your home’s ventilation system. This will filter out all of the airbourne particals, such as dust and pollens, from the air, keeping your home clean and free of potential irritants. This isn’t by any means a quick process though, it will probably take a few weeks for your pet to see relief from their allergy symptoms.
Linda Altukhov is a prominent author for Heartworm medicine. She has written about many dogs health problems, including Canine Allergies.
Tags: Allergies, Controlling