Springtime Allergies 101
with Dr. Gail Simpson
There are three main types of allergies in vetmed: fleas, food, and environmental. In this article, we are focusing on environmental allergies. There are proven techniques and trials veterinarians use to determine which allergies pets have, so if you have concerns that your pet may have allergies, please contact us to develop a treatment plan.
Most common springtime allergens:
Pollen
Dander
Mold
Dust particles
Top Ways allergies present:
Itchy skin and skin infections: The most common allergic condition we see in our dogs and cats is atopic dermatitis. Unlike people, who typically have allergies present with cold-like symptoms, our pets more often are affected with skin issues—itching, redness, hair loss, and secondary infections. In some pets, this is present year round. In pets with seasonal environmental allergies, springtime pollens and grasses can be the start of a tough time of year. The treatment for these issues is variable and dependent on degree of itching, presence of infection, location, etc. Your vet may recommend a combination of topical treatment (ointments, shampoos, wipes), oral anti-itch medications, antihistamines, and antibiotics.
Allergic conjunctivitis: This time of year we tend to see a significant increase in visits for eye redness, scratching at the eyes, and eye discharge. In most cases, pets have allergic conjunctivitis, an immune reaction to environmental agents such as pollens and molds. Sometimes a secondary bacterial infection will develop, which typically presents with yellow or green discharge from the eyes. We often test the eye to make sure there is no trauma/ulceration on the cornea prior to diagnosing with allergic conjunctivitis. Oral and topical antihistamines can be helpful to treat and prevent these flare-ups, though in some pets we need topical antibiotics and steroids to treat the infection and inflammation.
Ear infections: Another aspect to atopic dermatitis is chronic otitis externa, or chronic ear infections. Affected pets will shake their heads, scratch at their ears, and have redness and discharge (usually brown waxy or thick yellow material) within the ears. The most effective way to treat ear infections includes cleaning the ears to dislodge discharge and applying topical medications.
Respiratory signs: By far the least common allergic sign in animals is the most common in humans—sneezing, nasal discharge, and reverse sneezing. When we do see respiratory signs of allergies, they are typically mild and can sometimes be managed with oral antihistamines. In pets, upper respiratory infections and clinical signs are more commonly associated with infectious disease, so if you start to see yellow or green nasal discharge, loss of energy or appetite, check in with your vet.
If you've never heard of reverse sneezing, it can be a shock when you first see your pet doing it. It looks a little like a snort, and a little like they are choking - but it is a benign process that often requires no treatment. Here is an example of a reverse sneeze in a dog. Here is an example of a reverse sneeze in a cat.
Please do not provide any oral antihistamine or other medication to your pet without explicit direction from a veterinarian. Many human medications include ingredients toxic to our pets.
In general, with allergies, we approach it with two goals in mind: short term management and long term management. In the short term, we address discomfort, infection, and inflammation. In the long term, we use preventative measures like regular topical treatments (ear flushing, skin wipes, medicated shampoos) and oral medications to minimize future flare-ups.
We hope you found these tips useful and that they help you keep your pet happy and healthy! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us. As always, we’re here for you and your pets.
Sincerely,
The BLVD Team