Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Inhalant allergies, called atopy, affect people and pets and result from inhaling allergens such as pollens, molds, mildew and dust mites. Many allergens and allergies are seasonal, but molds and mildew are always in the environment. Although most allergies in pets manifest as itching, some pets sneeze due to mold in the air. To help a pet with allergies, the owner needs to discover what is causing the allergy; often that cause is mold spores or mildew in the home.
Dogs have an instinct to put things in their mouths, or even eat things they shouldn't. Sometimes if a dog eats the wrong thing or comes into contact with mold in some other way, fungal diseases can develop. Most fungal infections are either air borne or reside in the soil.
Pets can have allergies just as people can, with the main difference being that theirs often lead to skin conditions. For a dog, these allergies can be from food, fleas or from something inhaled, such as mold. Between 3 percent and 15 percent of dogs suffer from allergic inhaled dermatitis or atopy, according to the Long Beach Animal Hospital. The condition can be chronic, but it should not present a serious problem if you take precautions and provide treatment.
