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Dogs might be acting like their ears are bothering them, and this is because the ear canals could be inflamed or even have grown yeast or bacteria. If they’re shaking their heads and scratching at their ears, it’s best to have a vet visit. Do their ears smell funky and have discharge coming from them? Then your dog might have an infection. But, if you see your dog sneezing and itching his face, what’s wrong? They can’t have allergies too, right?
WRONG
Dogs and cats CAN and DO get seasonal allergies just like their human counterparts. Just know, these are completely different than food allergies which would be occurring year-round. But depending on where you live, seasonal allergies (or environmental allergies) can also happen year-round.
The obvious signs to watch for is skin irritation or inflammation (aka allergic dermatitis) as they don’t necessarily have respiratory issues like we do. Allergic dermatitis can also result in hair loss, open sores and scabbing on parts of the body as your pet continues to itch. The irritation then leads to other issues your pets will be scratching themselves in a desperate attempt for relief such as hot spots. Hot spots are inflamed, infected areas of the skin that occurs from constant licking, biting and scratching.
Other signs include redness around the eyes, oral tissue, chin, paws, and anus, plus there’s the possibility of a running nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and coughing just like we get. so result in hair loss, open sores and scabbing on parts of the body as your pet continues to itch. The irritation then leads to other issues your pets will be scratching themselves in a desperate attempt for relief such as hot spots. Hot spots are inflamed, infected areas of the skin that occurs from constant licking, biting, and scratching.
So, what exactly is causing these allergies? Well if it wasn’t obvious, they’re caused by the same things that affect us. To be more specific, this would be trees, grasses and pollen are three major players in the allergy game.
What now? If you suspect your pet has environmental allergies, would be best to consult your veterinarian to also rule out any other cause for their discomfort. The vet might recommend an intradermal allergy test which is when they test small amounts of common allergens by injecting them under the skin to see if they cause an allergic reaction. Antihistamines or corticosteroids might be prescribed as a symptom relief from itching. Over the counter, human medication such as Benadryl may also bring relief, but this should be discussed with your veterinarian prior.
To keep the allergens under control in the long run, it’s suggested to bath your pets with hypoallergenic shampoo or medicated shampoo every 3-7 days, use the A.C in the summer and even give doses of Omega 3 as a skin supplement. Metro Wipes® by Metro Paws® are the ideal solution to wiping down pets whenever they come inside from being outdoors to rid them of allergens from their body to also prevent the spread of them indoors. Metro Wipes® contain aloe vera and vitamin E, providing soothing relief to irritated skin while moisturizing the skin. For extra sensitive pets, Metro Wipes® Natural Unscented are hypoallergenic while still being relieving.
Spring is the worst time for us allergy sufferers so hunker down, take the necessary steps and remember that “Winter is coming.”
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