Seasona Allergies: What's Making My Pet so Itchy?

Seasonal Allergies:  What’s Making My Pet so Itchy?

                Just like people who suffer from hay fever, spring and fall are prime times for our pets to show signs of seasonal allergies.  While some pets do develop sneezing and watery eyes, the most common sign of allergies in our pets is red, itchy skin. 

                Our pets can be allergic to a variety of things in the environment.  Grass, weeds and other plants, tree pollen, insects such as ants and fleas and molds are common allergens in York, Pennsylvania.  Pets may be itchy all over, but sometimes only the paws are affected.  Affected dogs and cats are generally fine in the wintertime, but will typically develop red itchy skin and sometimes hair loss as spring causes plants to bloom or insects to emerge.  Some pets don’t flare up until the fall.  If your pet is itchy on and off all year long, he or she may actually have a food allergy or be allergic to something to which they are constantly exposed such as dust mites. 

                What can you do if your pet suffers from a seasonal allergy?  Treatments such as bathing about once a week with an oatmeal or hypoallergenic shampoo can help to soothe itchy skin.  Lotions or sprays may be effective for small localized areas, but are impractical and may be harmful if a large area of the pet’s body is affected.  Fish oil or omega 3 supplements are often helpful, especially for dry, itchy skin.  Antihistamines such as Benadryl may also help minor itching.  Contact your vet to make sure it is safe for your pet to use an antihistamine and to obtain the proper dose.  Be cautious using essential oils such as tea tree oil or pennyroyal oil on the skin, as some of these oils can actually be toxic to pets. Natural does not always equal safe, especially when it comes to dogs and cats. 

            Secondary bacterial or yeast infections can also prevent the skin from properly healing and may contribute to the itch, so, if your dog or cat is not responding to basic home treatments within a few days or, if you notice small bumps or pimples on the skin, crusting, odor or patchy hair loss, a vet visit is in order.  If infections are not properly treated, your pet will not improve and permanent damage to the skin could occur.  Veterinarians can also prescribe something to calm the itch.  While steroids are often used, there are newer, non-steroidal drugs that may be safer for your pet with fewer side effects. Other long term treatments like desensitization injections or drugs like Atopica may also work for your pet. 

                If your pet is severely affected, he or she may have some other problem causing itchy skin such as skin mites, ringworm, deep bacterial infection, skin cancer or other illness.  Skin scrapings and other skin tests may be necessary to find the underlying cause of that itch. 

                Many dogs and cats have seasonal allergies, but there are a variety of remedies that can be used to help soothe that irritating itch.  With proper veterinary care of secondary skin infections and use of supplements, medications and shampoos to keep itching under control, pets can survive allergy season and be comfortable this spring and summer.  Seek treatment early and tame that itch!

                This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving York, Red Lion and the surrounding communities.