Spring allergies in dogs

The most common symptoms are: otitis, which takes time to go away, irritation of the skin (red skin) and itching, these appear during the time between spring and summer. When these symptoms appear, our dog will respond to it by licking himself and scratching compulsively to the point of causing damage to the skin.

Canine allergies, like ours, are a reaction of the immunological system encountering a determined substance. In the past few years there has been a large increase in the number of cases, most likely because of how toxic our environment is becoming. It’s possible for a dog to have more than one type of allergy at a time.

If we see any symptoms that makes us think that our dog has allergies it’s recommended to take him to the vet. There are different exams that can test what’s causing the allergy, usually it’s a blood test, which is not the most effective method. The most accurate exams are expensive and involve shaving of our dog’s hair. Usually dog owners choose the least expensive exam which give an approximate diagnosis.

There are numerous things that may cause allergies. For example, certain dog food can cause allergies, in this a case a hypoallergenic diet is recommended. Also, flea saliva, pollen and dust cause allergies.   

Flea saliva is the main reason why dogs have allergies. It is fundamental for our dog to be free of these insects and its consequences all year long, especially during spring. The presence of only one flee can cause itching and wounds in the skin.

During spring the most uncomfortable allergies are those caused by the environment, it’s difficult to stop the allergies because what’s causing the allergies is everywhere. Pollen and dust can give them and us more than one headache.

What can we do to stop contact with pollen?

It’s impossible to isolate our dogs from pollen grains that are all over the air, but we can do certain things to somewhat stop them from coming into our home. We must avoid walking our dog around places with vegetation, which will reduce intense allergic reactions. It is also important to carefully clean our dog’s feet after going outside, eliminating particles that he may have brought from the outside. To reduce the appearance of pollen we can help by leaving our shoes at the door when we get home. Bathing our dog is also recommended, but make sure not to do it too often since it can be bad for their skin.

Due to the characteristics of pollen it’s possible that medication must be given. Medications can be expensive and harmful, meaning we must not abuse their use.

It’s important to know that an allergic dog will always be allergic, there is no cure. It’s better to prevent the allergies, go to the vet when a symptom appears and avoid environments that cause allergies. This way we will avoid the only sad part of spring.