Dogs and Cats Are Also Affected by Oriental Plantain and Allergies: 10 Warning Symptoms, According to a Vet

The trees are already full of green tones and the heat is starting to be felt more and more. There spring arrived in Chile and, in addition to having longer and brighter days, the seasonal allergies .

We humans can take an antihistamine and instantly feel more relieved, but, and if my mascot also suffers from these allergies ? Can dogs and cats be affected by pollen, dust and even oriental plantain?

The veterinary doctor from the University of Chile, Cynthia Valdivia, who works in The cool cat house – explains to The third that recently, with its team of specialists, We receive a large number of pets with seasonal allergy symptoms.

—Every year, when the hot season begins, allergies appear. This year it started earlier, in June and July, but now for a month, every week, we hospitalize at least one cat with respiratory symptoms — says the specialist.

Furthermore, as he tells it, The demand for chest x-rays and medication prescriptions to relieve bothersome symptoms in pets has also increased.

—12 years ago, I had never written so many prescriptions for inhalers, nor seen so many cats with these symptoms! Without a doubt, this year has been the year of allergies —said the veterinarian with surprise.

—The most common environmental allergen is house dust mite, but there are also pollen, grass, and oriental plantain. —explains Valdivia.

Allergies in animals They can also be caused by mushrooms, trees, herbs, but also by different types of food (like chicken or corn). A dog can even be allergic to a cat and vice versa.

However, Some breeds are more predisposed to allergies than others.

—Scratching is caused by an overreaction of our immune system when allergens reach us more quickly. It is If I am an animal with a longer nose, it will take longer for allergens to reach me and even the eyelashes (nose hairs) may be pulled out.

So, against this logic, Brachycephalic dogs and cats are generally the breeds most predisposed to seasonal allergies.

Among cats, there are Persian, exotic, Burmese and Himalayan breeds, among others. In dogs, pugs, boxers, Boston terriers, etc.

According to the expert, Symptoms may vary depending on whether it is a dog or a cat, although they may share certain reactions.

In cats, Allergy symptoms can be:

1. Photosensitivity. “If our felines look at the light through the window and close their eyes, it’s because the light is bothering them, and it’s a fairly common symptom,” explains the veterinarian.
2. Tear.
3. Respiratory signs.
4. Sneezing. “If you sneeze once while sniffing dust, it’s normal.” However, if it’s a paroxysmal sneeze – one that repeats quickly and consecutively – it’s a warning sign.
5. Excessive grooming. Although cats tend to groom themselves frequently, it is not normal for them to do so all day. “That means it doesn’t wash off, but rather itches,” Valdivia explains. In addition, it usually causes skin lesions, which after a while become clearly visible.

For their part, the dogs They usually present with the following symptoms:

1. Respiratory signs.
2. Edematization of the conjunctiva. This means that when you look inside the eye, instead of the typical pale red color, you see fuchsia or very bright red. Additionally, it can be accompanied by tearing.
3. Sneezing. “It’s not as visible as the cat. “Most dogs have reverse sneezes.”
4. Dermatological signs. It is common for allergic dogs to have alopecia at the base of the tail. “If you run your hand over there and it feels like it’s sandy or the hairs are shorter in general, that’s a dermatological warning symptom.”
5. Licking paws. “Biting the paws, turning the paw and sticking the tongue between the fingers is something that happens in very allergic patients. If the paw is orange, it is stained by its own saliva. It’s not that the dog loves to wash his hands, but that he’s all itchy.”

Furthermore, In both dogs and cats, there is a symptom of pruritus. which, according to the veterinarian, is the generalized itching which affects the quality of life of pets and which This makes them “more irritable, more cunning, and the quality of their hair suffers”.

However, If the symptoms are severe, such as inability to swallow or eat, difficulty breathing and a lot of secretions, choking, snoring and wheezing — and they last more than 48 hours — it will be necessary to consult a doctor. veterinarian as quickly as possible. .

Veterinarian Cynthia Valdivia explains that It is difficult to know which allergen our dogs and cats’ immune systems react to. .

However, To prevent and help when treating an allergy, the specialist gave some recommendations.

First, deworm them regularly outside.

—For example, if a dog or cat has an immune system that is very attentive to everything, if it is walking and a flea attacks it, the allergy can worsen and it will scratch itself until it hurt —says the expert.

Also you can reduce the number of carpets in the house, use a good vacuum cleaner to clean all spaces, and don’t use irritants, like perfumes or floor cleaners that have a strong smell.

Valdivia highlights the importance of Do not smoke inside houses and apartments where you live with dogs and cats, especially if they are allergic, and nor use incense, because they can cause serious harm to the health of fur-bearing animals.

Furthermore, It is important to have your vaccinations up to date in order to minimize the risks of suffering from a respiratory illness caused by a virus and, thus, not to confuse the symptoms with an allergy.

And finally, Go to a veterinarian to treat seasonal allergies. Even if, initially – when the symptoms are mild – it is not an emergency, because they are not relieved by treatment, The allergy can become a chronic disease.

Despite this, Dr. Cynthia Valdivia calls for calm, because these are symptoms that require treatment. The gifts of the house will be able to enjoy a good quality of life and the hottest days, despite the unpleasant aspects that spring and summer can bring.