Spring is in the air and with it comes warm weather, the end of the school year, the beginning of summer holidays, trips to your camp/cottage and dreaded allergies. Did you know that your pets can suffer from seasonal allergies just like you or me? It’s true, our furry friends can be just as sensitive to those pesky pollens and grasses as we can, although allergies in animals look a lot different than it does for you or me.
The most common symptom that our four-legged friends experience is not congestion, watery eyes and sneezing but actually ITCHING. Mild allergies typically cause itching of the feet, face, ears and/or bum, whereas more severe allergies can cause hair loss, inflamed and thickened skin, ear infections and even severe skin infections.
Allergies, in my opinion, are one of the most frustrating conditions that pets, owners and vets have to deal with. Typically, if a pet has allergies, it is something that they will deal with their entire life. Unlike other diseases, allergies are not something that can be cured, but rather something that has to be managed. For the milder cases, symptoms can usually be managed with frequent bathing and the occasional antihistamine. For those more severe cases, pets often require a combination of topical and oral medications, medicated shampoos, special diets, and occasionally personalized allergy shots created by dermatologists specifically for your pet.
If you have a pet that is constantly itching, losing hair, frequently gets skin and/or ear infections or who’s skin has a foul odour, your pet may have allergies. Book an appointment with us today to have a discussion on how to manage your pet’s symptoms and let everyone enjoy the warmer weather.
Written by Dr Sarah Boyer
