The story below is from our March/April 2020 issue. For the full issue Subscribe today, view our FREE interactive digital edition or download our FREE iOS app!
Springtime even brings allergies to our four-legged friends. Here are a few tips from veterinary experts on how to help your pet during the season.
From unexpected spring showers and allergy flare-ups to small, sprouting buds in the garden, spring brings all things new with it, not only for humans, but for our animals, as well.
Like their two-legged companions, animals experience many of the same frustrations this season brings with it, including allergies.
According to U.S. Canine’s website 10-20% of dogs display symptoms of allergen sensitivities in the springtime.
“Just like humans, our pets can be very sensitive to outdoor allergens such as trees, grass and weed pollens, dust, house and storage mites, fleas and indoor and outdoor molds,” says U.S. Canine.
Courtney Wiegard, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Vinton Veterinary Hospital, says to watch for symptoms such as sneezing, snoring, itching, licking paws, scooting, red skin, ear infections and scratching.
“If you notice your pet rubbing at their face/eyes/ears, obsessively licking or biting their feet and coat, or excessive scratching, they might be sensitive to an environmental allergen,” says U.S. Canine. “Do not allow this behavior to continue since it can lead to infections, irritation, open sores, and ultimately an incredibly uncomfortable [pet].”
Wiegard suggests pet owners maintain a journal to log when their pets’ symptoms began, how they progress and a list of their specific symptoms.
“These details will help your veterinarian decide if allergies are seasonal versus year-round and help pinpoint how to diagnose or treat,” Wiegard says. “Fortunately, now in veterinary medicine we have many ways to diagnose allergies from skin allergy testing, serum or blood allergy testing, hypoallergenic food trials and more.”
Wiegard, as well as other sources, highly recommends having your pet examined by a veterinarian if you suspect they suffer from allergies, as this is the only way to determine their specific irritant and treatment.
According to petsbest.com, “Reduce the chance of your cat having a spring allergy by keeping them indoors, particularly on dry, windy days. Also, keep kitty inside after mowing the lawn, weed pulling or gardening.”
Petsbest.com also suggests wiping a pet’s paws upon re-entering the house from the outdoors to keep allergens from following your pet inside the house.
A problem some pet owners might be surprised to learn could affect their animal is a fear of rain, which can present significant challenges during these rainy months.
Wiegard says helping your animal cope with this fear is tricky but desensitizing them to the water slowly is the key to success.
“Start by getting your dog’s paws a little wet in the house or sprinkling water on them. Then, take them out for a brief time in a gentle rain, and be sure to positively reward them with special treats as you slowly expose them,” Wiegard says.
Animals may also need desensitization to umbrellas if they are scared of them and Wiegard emphasizes slow introductions with positive rewards.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Lauren Connolly says in an interview for AccuWeather.com on helping pets cope with a fear of storms, “Being afraid of thunderstorms is just a form of noise phobia. Cats can also be afraid of loud noises and storms, but they often will go and hide under a bed or behind a couch. Because they are not as destructive as dogs, their fear often goes unnoticed.”
Connolly suggests using calming methods including petting or sitting with your pet to help reduce their anxiety.
Spring brings gardens full of flowers, vegetables and deer tracks, but it can also bring unwanted parasites to your outdoor animals.
Wiegard warns that many gardens house parasites that are harmful to pets, including roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. All of these parasites live in the soil of gardens with eggs that can survive harsh temperatures, both freezing cold and extreme heat.
“Maintaining your dog and cat on monthly heartworm preventatives that contain intestinal de-wormers is key to keeping them healthy,” Wiegard says. “It is also recommended to have your pet’s fecal sample checked at least annually to make sure they are free of intestinal parasites.”
Gardeners with pets should also note the types of fertilizers used in their garden plots. Wiegard says many organic fertilizers are safe for pets, but concerned pet owners should contact the Pet Poison Helpline if any animal ingests large amounts of fertilizer.
Pet Poison Helpline’s website recommends storing all gardening materials, including herbicides and insecticides, seeds, plant bulbs, potting soil, fertilizer, and sprays in places pets cannot reach.
“Keep a list of what you have planted, this way if they ingest a plant you can say for certain what it is. If you use all of a fertilizer in a pot, note what kind it was or keep the label taped to the bottom of the pot,” says Pet Poison Helpline. “This way if a pet eats some, the ingredients are readily available.”
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