magazine-pdf.org_13325_Better_Nutrition_April_2017_2

#$%&'$()*+,NUTRITION FOR DOGS & CATS
Nothing to Sneeze At
Ease springtime allergies in your dog or cat /// BY JULIA SZABO
The arrival of spring brings warmer
weather, greener grass, and longer days
to get outside and enjoy them. But with
the rites of spring comes a dreaded
wrong: hay fever, triggered by the pollen
that blankets the great outdoors at this
time of year. No matter where you live—
an urban metropolis or the rural countryside—pollen
can make life miserable.
Symptoms of seasonal allergies in
humans include runny nose, itchy skin
and throat, and itchy runny eyes. But did
you know that dogs and cats are also
susceptible, though their symptoms are
different?
Spot the Signs
Animals can’t tell us they’re suffering,
so we must learn to recognize their
hay fever symptoms—excessive headshaking;
scratching, and biting at their
own maddeningly itchy skin; and
irritated, inflamed skin, ears, and paws—
and seek the help of a compassionate
veterinarian before these symptoms
develop into a life-threatening infection.
In people, hay fever manifests in respiratory
symptoms, but pets experience pollen
allergy through disease of the body’s
largest organ: the skin. “Skin problems
caused by allergies are a serious medical
issue that can drastically diminish a pet’s
quality of life,” says Heather Peikes, VMD,
Dip. ACVD, a board-certified veterinary
dermatologist based in New Jersey.
Veterinary dermatologists
typically treat secondary skin
and ear infections with antihistamines,
and sometimes
omega-3 supplements are
recommended. Customized
vaccines may be given
based on the results of skin
testing. The vaccine may be
administered as an injection
every one to three weeks, or as a
sublingual pump (drops given by mouth).
If the animal does not respond to vaccine
therapy, there are medications that can
provide relief. To locate a veterinary
dermatologist near you, visit ACVD.org.
Rx Alternatives
Pet parents can take simple steps to
prevent allergies from progressing to
the point where they require prescription
meds and a customized vaccine. The
first and easiest antiallergy strategy
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Giving your pet local
honey in small doses
is helpful for pets
with pollen
allergies.
is a diligent daily wipe-down. Apply a
clean, damp towel to dogs and cats after
they spend time outdoors to remove
pollen; do this every time they come
inside. (Yes, it’s a chore; to make it easier,
prepare stacks of towels and a jug
of water right by the entrance
door to your home, so there’s
no tracking of allergens
throughout the house.)
Focus especially on pets’
paws and paw-pads, taking
care to wipe between the
toes, where pollens accumulate
and cause enormous irritation.
“Cats don’t love baths, but they do
enjoy a thorough, full-body wipe-down,”
says holistic veterinarian Michele Yasson,
DVM, who practices in New Paltz,
N.Y. “It’s how the mother cat grooms her
kittens, and it’s a great opportunity to
bond with your cat.”
As for dogs, if your dog loves to go
swimming, now is the time to indulge—
and always follow up with a thorough
toweling-off to remove pollen residue,
making sure to gently wipe inside ears
to prevent ear infection.
Pounce on Pollen
3 Remove shoes and outerwear when
you enter your home so pollens aren’t
tracked into the indoor environment
you share with your pet. Grass cutting
exacerbates pollen allergies, so when
it’s time to mow the lawn, be sure all
windows and doors are closed, and
if possible, ask your neighbors to tell
you their landscaping schedule so you
can be prepared to batten the hatches
before you hear the rev of the lawn
mower engine.
3
Launder pets’ bedding at least
once a week. To simplify this
chore, cover dog or cat beds
with a sheet, so it’s easy to toss
!" • APRIL 2017