This time of the year is awful for me. I get the itchy eyes, the nasal congestion and my raspy voice is at an all time extreme. Without my daily anti-histamine, I can barely function and I'm not alone. Reports are saying that this year is the worst for allergy sufferers. While we complain about how we feel, what about our pets? Are they immune to seasonal allergies?
The answer is NO! Cats, dogs and horses can all develop seasonal allergies. True seasonal allergies start to manifest themselves after the animal has been exposed to the allergen at least once, usually requiring that they are at least a year old. Allergic symptoms are caused by specialized cells with receptors that react to Ig-E, an antibody made in response to foreign substances. In the spring, trees, flowers, and grasses can all produce allergens that stimulate Ig-E production. Allergic patients either produce too much Ig-E or are more sensitive to it. In people, the highest concentration of Ig-E receptors is in the upper respiratory passages. That’s why we react with sneezing and sinus congestion. In dogs, the highest concentration is found in the ear canals and skin. As a result, allergies most frequently present as inflammation in the ears or itching skin.
So the early signs you see at home include licking the paws, rubbing the face on the ground and shaking or pawing at the ears. While the skin may still look normal while these behaviors are starting, they are the first indication that your pet is suffering from seasonal allergies. Excessive licking/scratching/head shaking leads to the infection which is usually the main reason your pet is seen by a veterinarian.
Not every skin or ear infection can be treated the same even if the primary cause was allergies. It is important to do diagnostic tests to determine what kind of bacteria is causing the skin or ear infection and also equally important to determine if there is a yeast, or fungal, component which would need an antifungal medication.
Weekly ear cleanings and anti-histamines are the first step to help prevent severe infections. If your pet has a history of allergy associated ear or skin infections, please contact them today to make sure you are working to prevent infections this year!
