When the flowering period becomes agony
- Watery eyes, itching or ness attacks can have many causes.
- Veterinarians of Uelzener Insurance explains about diagnostics, symptoms and treatment.
- Helpful tips for everyday life with allergarten pets.
Uelzen. Flowering time – and for some pets unfortunately also allergy time. Not only people, but also dogs and cats can be affected by pollen allergies. Félice Oude Hengel, veterinarian at Uelzen insurance, explains what signs there are for pollen allergies in pets and how animal owners can provide relief.
Allergy diagnostics is true detective work
What generally applies to allergies also applies to pollen allergies: they are difficult to diagnose due to the non -specific signs. “Typical symptoms such as itching, reddening of the skin or pustules can occur with any kind of allergy,” explains Félice Oude Hengel. A clear demarcation to other triggers is therefore often difficult. “Appointments provide the time the symptoms occur and the exclusion of other causes such as feed.” Particularly suspicious: if the symptoms occur seasonally or show up immediately after playing in the high grass.
In order to recognize connections, the expert recommends: “A meticulously conducted allergy diary is worth gold. The most meaningful is the results when holders occur in your animals over the longest possible period of time.”
Symptoms of a pollen allergy can be diverse and range from itching and rashes to red and watery eyes to respiratory problems like reinforced sneezes, a roasting choking (“Reverse nose”) Or nose outflow. In fact, even indigestion can be related to pollen allergies.
There are no spontaneous healing:
Allergies are getting worse in the course
The first symptoms often show up early. “Allergy sufferers are traditionally diagnosed between the second and fourth year of life,” said the veterinarian of the Uelzener. But younger or older animals can also develop allergies.
“Unfortunately, allergies tend to get better than better,” she warns. Spontaneous healing is not possible. The symptoms can temporarily disappear if the trigger is eliminated, but allergies are generally not curable. At least medication can significantly reduce the suffering. However, the underlying cause can only address a desensitization based on blood tests.
Desensitization is about getting used to the immune system through repeated, well -dosed exposure to the allergens and thus switching off overreactions. However, there is no guarantee of success, and desensitization is also associated with high costs. Therefore, avoiding contact with the triggering allergens and symptomatic therapy with allergy pills or injections are in the foreground in most cases.
Tips: How to provide relief
Even small adjustments to the everyday routine can make all over the four -legged friends easier to make life. A few tips from the veterinarian:
- Avoid walks with a strong pollen flight or keep it short.
- After freeing the fur, wipe down with a damp cloth and sensitive skin areas (Lower abdomen, spaces between the toe)) wash.
- Use air purifier with pollen filter.
- Better to ventilate early in the morning and late evening instead of during the day (Less pollen flight).
- Use suitable medication according to veterinary recommendation to relieve symptoms.
Pollen allergies in pets are quite common, but with the right management it is possible to significantly increase the quality of life of the four -legged friends concerned. “Allergy symptoms can put a great strain on the animals, so the following applies: Even if it is sometimes tedious, you should strive for thorough diagnosis and use targeted medication in accordance with the veterinary recommendation,” emphasizes Félice Oude Hengel.
When the immune system becomes an overzealous bouncer
Which pollen trigger a reaction can be very different and is influenced, among other things, by frequency and intensity of the contact. However, the basic inclination of an animal to develop an allergy is very genetic.
“Allergies should therefore be given a greater consideration when choosing the parent animals,” says the veterinarian and adds: “The cause of the problem lies with the animal's immune system, not with the pollen.”
Simply explained: In an allergy, the immune system incorrectly classifies harmless particles as a threat – like an overzealous bouncer. After the first contact, he creates a “profile”, so to speak, and classifies the supposedly dangerous particles as allergens. This is called sensitization. The second contact is reaction. To stay in the metaphor: the bouncer is freaking out. He combats the allergens with inflammatory reactions that we perceive as allergy symptoms.
It is important to keep an eye on your animal and document changes. The more information is available to the vet, the easier the diagnosis of potential allergies is easier.
Further information on the topic of animal health in the Uelzener magazine.