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| Itching for Relief |
How to Safely Treat your Pet's Allergies
Just as we suffer the allergic reactions to high pollen counts and increased pollution levels that come from the season's warmer weather, our pets may be feeling a little under the weather too.
In animals, seasonal allergies are typically manifest as a skin reaction, causing chronic itching and scratching. Other symptoms include hair loss, chewing on the feet, ear and eye infections, tearing of the eyes, and bacterial and yeast infections of the skin.
Your vet may prescribe a round of cortisone shots to alleviate the itching, but. Dr. John Robb, veterinarian and founder of national organization Protect the Pets, urges you to think twice about this common treatment, explaining long-term use can cause Cushing's disease in dogs and diabetes in cats, and potentially be fatal.
"Cortisone shots must be used judiciously, not as a first line defense," Dr. Robb warns. "Many times, cortisone treatments only mask the problem ending up costing the owner more money and the animal more suffering in the long run."
Cortisone shots can be valuable to alleviate severe reactions or to treat certain autoimmune disorders like lupus, but in the treatment of seasonal allergies, they simply offer a quick fix for a lasting problem. For effective treatment, Dr. Robb recommends seeking safer alternatives that boost your pet's immunity rather than suppressing his symptoms.
1. Consider Allergy Shots - Pet owners sometimes avoid allergy shots because they require a greater commitment of time and money. But this remedy should not be overlooked. Allergy shots are made to treat the exact cause of your pet's symptoms and boost his immunity, rather than suppressing the itch. This treatment involves testing, which runs around $150.00, followed by an observation period and sending the results to a lab to produce the vaccine.
2. Re-examine the Diet - Air-borne allergens like pollen may not be the only cause for your pet's allergies. Dietary changes can make a world of difference in some pets. Elimination
Pet Allergies
diets and hypo-allergenic diets are tried-and-true treatments that can help pet owners identify and eliminate food-based allergens. Dr. Stacy Curro, a naturopathic veterinarian at the Rockland Holistic Veterinary Care in New York, has successfully treated severely allergic dogs with a commercially prepared raw food diet. "In three months you will see a difference, and in 6 months you will not recognize your dog," she swears. "This has proven itself time and time again." Dr. Robb says consult with your veterinarian to get his/her recommendations or referrals before embarking on any severe dietary changes.
3. Seek Natural Remedies - With its focus on strengthening the body's natural defenses without drugs, naturopathic medicine has been on the rise in recent years for people and their pets. Naturopathic veterinarians treat allergies with herbs, supplements and changes in diet and lifestyle. While you should trust a board-certified naturopathic veterinarian to create a regimen of herbs and supplements, you can try a few simple drug-free remedies at home. Dr. Mark Haimann, of Animal Holistic Care in New York recommends frequent baths with oatmeal shampoos to gently soothe the itch, and using an air purifier to help remove allergens from the air.
4. See a Veterinary Dermatologist - If your pet is severely allergic or not responding to treatment, you may want to ask your vet for a referral to a veterinary dermatologist. Veterinary dermatologists are board-certified specialists who have completed extensive training in the etiology and treatment of skin disorders. Because they are up to date on the most current techniques, they can be invaluable in pinning down an elusive diagnosis and prescribing the most effective treatment.
For more information about your pet's health, visit www.protectthepets.com.
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