ST. LOUIS – Fall allergies are common for our pets, with a variety of symptoms from watery eyes to skin irritants.

While the spring and summer months are common culprits for seasonal allergies, the drop in temperature as we progress into the cooler months of the year can also affect our pups more so than some may realize.

“This time of year, it is really common to see a lot of allergies in dogs. We see a lot of dogs come in. You think of that more of a spring and summer problem, but when the ragweed comes out in the fall and some of the different weeds come out and the pollen, it can really affect them,” Dr. Stu Robson, veterinarian at Fox Creek Animal Hospital, said.

Just like people, dogs can also suffer from seasonal allergies.

“(It includes) Primarily itching, but licking too. The distribution of the itching and licking can really depend on what type of allergy we’re seeing, and that doesn’t always follow the book, but if it’s ears and feet, maybe more of a food allergy. If it’s generalized dermatitis or itching, we think more atopic-dermatitis,” Robson said.

While many over-the-counter allergy medicines, like Benadryl and Zyrtec, are safe for dogs, they don’t work very well.

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“They don’t have a lot of mass cell degranulation, which is what antihistamines block. So, their allergies are just a bit different than ours, where antihistamines work great for people, but they don’t work great for dogs,” Robson added.

Many factors could be the root of the problem—changing seasons, the introduction of new allergens in the fall, and also indoor allergies.

“It’s understandable you’ll want to treat something yourself or save yourself a trip to the vet, but with something like allergies, it’s multi-faceted sometimes and it can be completely different depending on the symptoms and how we treat them,” Robson noted.

Seeking medical care from your veterinarian can help control the uncomfortable silence your dog is facing.

“The skin is a barrier. So, when that’s healthy, it keeps out the yucky bacteria and such, but when they have allergies, bacteria can set up shop and can make them really itchy. If you don’t treat them the right way, you’ll just spin your wheels, make them suffer, and just be frustrated. So, getting into the vet can make a huge difference,” Robson said.

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