Prevention And Treatment Of Spring Allergies In Dogs
At least 1 in 7 dogs suffer from allergic reactions, which are particularly intense at certain times of the year. As in humans, spring allergies are caused by the climatic variations typical of each season.
They are a response of the immune system to exposure to allergenic substances. They can affect the skin, respiratory tract or digestive system of the animal.
Pollen hypersensitivity is the number one cause of spring allergies in dogs.
When the grains that are released from the plants, during their reproduction, are inhaled, symptoms that require medical attention begin to manifest.
The unmistakable signs of spring allergies
Discomforts are different for each specimen, but when it comes to plant dust allergies, there are some very common ones. A very visible effect is the reddening of the skin, which the dog ends up licking and scratching in an obsessive way. In fact, you will notice that your pet tends to rub against walls or objects, to relieve this unusual and annoying itch.
It can affect sensitive parts such as the muzzle, armpits, ears and around the eyes. In the most extreme cases, dogs usually shed hair in certain parts of the body.
They can also show conjunctivitis, sneezing, diarrhea, vomiting, and swelling of the throat. When itching occurs at the base of the tail, it is usually a flea allergy. Hence the need to learn to differentiate reactions.
A malaise that increases outdoors
When there is a diagnosis of spring allergy in dogs, contact with nature should be avoided. Symptoms worsen or appear when you take a walk in the garden, patio, or near plants. Pets will become even more anxious and negative symptoms will increase.
Bushes and lawns that tend to sniff or bite will trigger sneezing and their behavior will change. When you notice these irregularities, it is necessary to remove your four-legged friend from that environment that generates discomfort.
It is not always easy to protect dogs from agents such as pollen. But once the allergy has been diagnosed by the vet, you will need to minimize the pet’s exposure to possible irritants.
How to avoid spring allergies in dogs?
The key is to reduce the consequences of the allergy.
Whenever you go for a walk, it is essential to clean any remnants around the paws, as well as any wrinkles, around the eyes and ears.
In short, hygiene is the best prevention. The goal is to make sure that nothing remains on the animal’s body that can trigger any discomfort.
Even people living in the same house will have to take certain precautions to avoid contaminating the rooms with pollen. One of the solutions is to clean your shoes when you get home.
It is also helpful to vacuum several times a day.
Other seasonal allergies
In spring there are many types of allergies that can affect dogs. This is the case with those caused by flea bites. When they appear, visible marks appear on the skin and hair.
To prevent the action of these insects, it is necessary to administer a pesticide product before the start of the season.
There are also injectable shampoos and medicines that prevent their appearance. It is important that, before applying any drug, you are guided by the specialist.
It is possible that there is also the possibility of a food allergy. While it doesn’t show up as often as previous cases seen so far, it has a simple solution. It will be enough to change the diet until the problem disappears naturally.
How to strengthen the animal’s organism?
All dogs are prone to spring allergies, and one way to prevent them is to strengthen their immune systems. The key is to offer them the nutrients they need.
Foods that have high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants have been shown to avoid allergies and increase defenses.
If your pets’ menu contains these items, they will be less prone to attack by pathogens, bacteria and viruses.
Another way to control these conditions is to use specific fur and skin care products.
All this without forgetting the regular check-ups at the vet: a priority to ensure the general health of your best friend.
Beware of any changes in the dog
Most allergic dogs maintain this condition throughout their life. Between the first and third year, the first symptoms begin to become more visible, but they can diminish if we act promptly and adequately.
Healthy skin is the strongest barrier against allergies. Both allergens, microorganisms and other agents, will be unable to take root. A dull, dry, weak or falling hair reveals the presence of a problem.
The same happens if there are warts, redness, infection or inflammation.
If you are concerned that your dog has spring allergies, keep an eye on the pet’s appetite and mood before setting off the alarm . These are the first signs that will tell you if you need to worry or not.
