Seasonal Allergies in your Pet

Dogs and cats can suffer from seasonal allergies just like people. With the snow melted and spring upon us, we have entered allergy season. 

Pets can develop allergies to pollen, dust, mold, or parasites. Pets absorb allergens through their skin and airways. They manifest their allergies in a variety of ways including itching/scratching at their skin, chewing/licking their paws, shaking/bothering at their ears, rubbing their faces along the ground, sneezing, scooting their bum, and increased eye and ear discharge. All this bothering with the skin and ears leads to secondary problems where bacteria and yeast normally living harmoniously on the skin surface see an opportunity to create an infection. So not only do we have to address the primary underlying allergy, we also have to treat the secondary infection. 

Treating the primary allergy may include using anti-histamines, anti-inflammatories, specialized diets designed to improve the skin’s barrier function and omega fatty acids. Addressing the secondary infection may include using oral and topical antibiotics, antifungals, medicated shampoos and flea preventives.

The key to successful allergic skin treatment is close supervision by your veterinarian. Follow up examinations to assess the response to treatment are essential to ensure your pet’s skin fully heals and doesn’t flare up again. We may recommend using ongoing shampoo or antihistamine therapy to keep the allergy from relapsing. With more severe allergies, we can arrange intradermal skin testing for your pet to diagnose what particular allergens they are sensitive to. These allergens are then combined at low doses in a serum that is given by injection at regular intervals to your pet to de-sensitize them to their allergies.

If you suspect your pet is suffering from seasonal allergies give us a call, we’re here to help.  

416-245-8805  or  [email protected]

Dr John Booth