How to Treat Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
Seasonal allergies in dogs are usually obvious by behaviors such as scratching and licking. The skin may develop scaling or flaking and the ears may redden and become infected. If left untreated, these symptoms will continue and worsen, making your dog miserable and uncomfortable. You can usually identify seasonal allergies in dogs by the appearance of symptoms with the onset of spring and summer. Most seasonal allergens are airborne and either inhaled or absorbed through your dog's skin.
Things You'll Need
- Antihistamine such as diphenhydramine
- Hypoallergenic shampoo or shampoo containing oatmeal
Instructions
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Avoid taking your dog into areas that contain potential allergens such as open fields and areas with tall grass. If you can't avoid the great outdoors, wash your dog's paws, legs and underbelly as soon as it comes inside. The less exposure your dog's skin has to allergens, the less likely it is to manifest symptoms.
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Wash your dog with a hypoallergenic shampoo at least once every two weeks. You can find this kind of shampoo at your local pet store. If the over-the-counter shampoo doesn't appear to help or makes your dog's allergic reaction worse, take it to the vet. Medicated shampoos specifically made for dogs with allergies are available from your vet and contain ingredients such as hydrocortisone to help relieve itching.
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Add essential fatty acids to your dog's diet. These are naturally found in nuts, seeds and fish and can counteract the body's release of histamines, which are the chemicals that cause reactions such as hives. You can find supplements of essential fatty acids in most major pet stores.
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Talk to your vet about giving your dog some relief by using antihistamines such as diphenhydramine. Just as in humans, antihistamines block the ability of your dog's body to produce histamines in response to an allergen. Several different antihistamines are available for dogs, so talk to your vet about finding one that will help your dog survive seasonal allergies.
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Tips & Warnings
As a last resort, your vet might use steroids to treat your dog's seasonal allergies. Steroids are administered either by pill or injection and they are very effective in relieving itching and inflammation. This approach may be especially useful for dogs with seasonal allergies, since the steroids will only need to be administered for a few months and not long-term. Steroids can create other health problems if you used long-term.
If your dog has open wounds, hives or severe skin irritation, take it to the vet immediately.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit dog image by Ergün Ã--zsoy from Fotolia.com
