Dog Grass Allergy: Cause, Symptoms and Treatment.
Spring and summer allergies caused by grass and other sources of pollen may be something you and your dog have in common.
Devoted dog owners often scratch their own heads as they try to figure out why their four-legged friends won't stop biting and clawing their bodies to the point of causing wounds and hair loss.Dog owners who have had their dogs tested for flea, tick, and other parasites, as well as for food allergies, are particularly troubled by this self- harm.
What should owners do when the clean bills of health do not buy them any relief?The possibility of an environmental allergy is a good place to start.
It is important for pet owners to understand that there is no difference between their allergies and their dogs.Blue is a co-star on Animal Planet's The Vet Life.
Blue says that the culprit of the allergies may be grass and other plants.Some dogs are allergic to grass and pollen their entire lives, while others develop allergies as they mature.Dust and storage mites are some of the environmental causes.
You can go weeks with no symptoms and then have watery eyes and all the other symptoms of an allergy, so can your dog, according to Blue.
Humans and canines have similar reactions to allergens, but the site often differs.There are people with grass and flora allergies who have watery eyes, nose, and throat.They may also develop a rash on the skin.
Dogs have the same allergy symptoms, but the severity is different.Dogs that are allergic to grass and flora can develop a skin condition called dermatitis.It can be spread all over the dog's body.Dogs that are allergic to grass may have some symptoms, but they are not as bad as humans.
Sometimes pet owners who don't have grass or flora in their yards will insist that pollen is not the cause of their dogs distress.Blue reminds them that it is possible for pollen from nearby areas to get into their yards.
Even if owners think allergies are the cause of persistent scratching, it is important to double-check for parasites and food allergies.
Blue agrees.She said she sees it every day.People tell me that their dogs don't have fleas.
It's the same with food allergies.It doesn't mean the ingredients in the food have remained the same, or that your dog's sensitivity to them has remained static.
Repeated contact with the offendingtrigger can cause minor allergies to become more severe.Similar to people, adult-onset allergies to foods, pollen, and other substances can occur in dogs.
Further testing may be ordered if grass/pollen is still suspected after other causes have been excluded.
You might think that the testing process for allergies is easy.Blood serum testing is the most common test.The benefits of the blood allergy test are debated by veterinarians.Some believe the data doesn't aid diagnosis, while others think it can be helpful, though most agree that it is not as accurate as skin testing for allergies.
The best way to treat mild seasonal grass allergies in dogs is to limit their exposure, keep the grass mowed, and wash and dry their feet when they come into the house, said Jeff Levy, DVM, of House Call Vet in New York, NY.
Levy said the feet are affected between the toes.When your dog enters the house, have him walk through a foot bath to thoroughly clean and dry his feet.Don't let the toes get wet, bathing your dog will help remove pollen from the rest of its coat and skin.
Aggressive treatment will be necessary if limiting exposure doesn't adequately manage a dog's symptoms.Drugs that reduce itching are one of the options.
Levy said that he is able to treat some allergy sufferers.Traditional Chinese medicine can be used to modify dogs' immune systems and alleviate allergic reactions.
These low, cold laser treatments can be used to restore the immune system and alleviate allergic reactions with no side effects.
Golden Retrievers, Cairn Terriers, English Cocker Spaniels and Pit Bulls are some of the breeds that have the most common grass allergies.
Levy said to watch for symptoms even if your dog doesn't have an allergy to grass.The constant itching, watery eyes, and other symptoms of allergies should be reported to your vet immediately.