Spring is around the corner, and allergy season is upon us! Unfortunately, our furry friends are prone to springtime allergies as well. Handling your pet’s allergies can be challenging. It requires careful observation, diagnosis, and management to ensure your furry friend remains comfortable and healthy. Here are some tips on how to handle your pet’s allergies.
Identify Symptoms
Identifying symptoms is the first thing to record to help you pinpoint the possible trigger of the allergy. Pay attention to any signs that may be allergy-related. Common allergy symptoms in pets include itching, scratching, licking, chewing, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, ear infections, hair loss, skin rashes, and gastrointestinal issues like vomiting or diarrhea. Any abnormal behaviour or visual signs should be reported to your vet.
Consult with a Veterinarian
If you suspect your pet has allergies, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Even if you’re unsure it’s allergies, it’s always better to be safe than sorry with your pet’s health. They will perform a thorough examination and may recommend allergy testing to identify the specific allergens causing your pet’s symptoms, or they’ll be able to confirm that allergies are not the issue and could discover something else.
Implement Environmental Changes
Once the allergy is identified, try to minimize your pet’s exposure. This may involve additional steps in your daily routine, like regularly cleaning your home to reduce dust, pollen, and other allergens. Using hypoallergenic bedding and air filters to improve indoor air quality, and bathing your pet with hypoallergenic shampoo to remove allergens from their fur and skin. These additional actions can significantly enhance your pet’s quality of life.
Manage Their Diet
Some allergies may be easier to avoid than others. Food allergies are common in pets, so your veterinarian may recommend a special hypoallergenic diet or an elimination diet trial to identify and eliminate potential allergens from your pet’s food. Once the allergy is recognized, you can remove it from your pet’s diet and have more peace of mind knowing what to avoid.
Medication and Treatments
Depending on the severity of your pet’s allergies, your veterinarian may prescribe medications or treatments to help alleviate their symptoms. These may include medications like antihistamines to reduce itching and inflammation and corticosteroids or topical creams for more severe skin reactions. Treatments for allergies include immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots to desensitize your pet to specific allergens over time. There are also prescription-strength flea preventatives to control flea allergies for those dogs that love the outdoors.
Regular Follow-Ups and Monitoring
Keep in touch with your veterinarian and follow their recommendations for managing your pet’s allergies. Regular check-ups may be necessary to monitor your pet’s progress and adjust their treatment plan. Remember, allergies can be a lifelong issue for some pets, so it’s essential to stay vigilant for any signs of recurrence or worsening symptoms. If your pet’s allergies persist or worsen despite treatment, consult with your veterinarian for further evaluation and management options.
Identification for Prevention is Key
Knowing how to handle your pet’s allergies can significantly improve their quality of life. You can find a prevention plan that works for you and your pet by identifying their allergies. By working closely with your veterinarian and implementing appropriate management strategies, you can help your pet live comfortably and happily despite their allergies. Remember, allergies for pets are common, especially when spring comes around.Â
At Citizen Canine, we take the health of dogs very seriously. Physical and mental health are critical to a healthy and happy dog. If you want to improve your dog’s life, check out our professional pet services. Call us for more information.
