Nothing to Sneeze At

- Julia Szabo

The arrival of spring brings warmer weather, greener grass, and longer days to get outside and enjoy them. But with the rites of spring comes a dreaded wrong: hay fever, triggered by the pollen that blankets the great outdoors at this time of year. No matter where you live— an urban metropolis or the rural countryside—pollen can make life miserable.

Symptoms of seasonal allergies in humans include runny nose, itchy skin and throat, and itchy runny eyes. But did you know that dogs and cats are also susceptible, though their symptoms are different?

Spot the Signs

Animals can’t tell us they’re suffering, so we must learn to recognize their hay fever symptoms—excessive head shaking; scratching, and biting at their own maddeningly itchy skin; and irritated, inflamed skin, ears, and paws— and seek the help of a compassionate veterinarian before these symptoms develop into a life-threatening infection. In people, hay fever manifests in respiratory symptoms, but pets experience pollen allergy through disease of the body’s largest organ: the skin. “Skin problems caused by allergies are a serious medical issue that can drastically diminish a pet’s quality of life,” says Heather Peikes, VMD, Dip. ACVD, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist based in New Jersey.

Veterinary dermatologists typically treat secondary skin and ear infections with antihistamines, and sometimes omega-3 supplements are recommended. Customized vaccines may be given based on the results of skin testing. The vaccine may be administered as an injection every one to three weeks, or as a sublingual pump (drops given by mouth). If the animal does not respond to vaccine therapy, there are medications that can provide relief. To locate a veterinary dermatologist near you, visit ACVD.org.

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