A rhinitis allergy is a somewhat uncommon form of canine allergy. In the case of rhinitis allergies, the offending allergen enters into your pet's body and causes his mucous membranes to become inflamed and irritated. When this happens chronically, it is a condition known as rhinitis or sinusitis. It can lead to a host of different symptoms in your pet, most of which are likely to be non-life threatening but still very disruptive to his everyday life.
The common symptoms of rhinitis include the following:
- Nasal discharge
- Bloody mucous
- Constant rubbing or pawing at the nose
- Sneezing or coughing
- Difficulty breathing
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, you should take him to a veterinarian for immediate examination. The rhinitis allergy is easily treatable. Once you have diagnosed the condition properly, you'll need to treat it. The following are the most common treatment methods for dealing with rhinitis allergies in dogs.
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
In some cases, anti-inflammatory drugs are helpful in reducing the inflammation and the irritation to the nose and sinus passages. These drugs are often given as steroids. In the case of steroids, it's best to only use the medicines for a short period of time, as extended use can lead to a variety of other side effects and conditions. Your veterinarian will be able to closely monitor your pet's nasal passageways and will tell you how long you should use the steroid based treatment for.
Nasal Rinses
In some cases, a simple nasal rinse can help to lessen the pain and irritation that your pet suffers as a result of rhinitis. Your vet can show you how to make up a simple saline solution at home. You'll then need to warm a small quantity of the solution and inject it into your pet's nose as prescribed by the vet. This is best to do over a towel or outside, as it can be a messy procedure. This method of dealing with the symptoms is not likely to be long lasting.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are your pet's best bet against allergic reactions. If you and your vet determine with certainty that the rhinitis your dog suffers from is a result of an allergic reaction, a prescription of antihistamines can help him to minimize the reaction that he experiences. The exact type of anthistamine medicine that you'll need to give to your dog and the method in which you provide his dosage will depend upon the type of dog you have, the exact cause of his reaction, the severity of his rhinitis and other factors.
Allergen Elimination
The best way to remove the symptoms of an allergic reaction is to eliminate the allergen from your pet's environment. If you can conclude what the cause of your dog's rhinitis is, you can then work to purify the air in your home and purchase hypoallergenic materials to try to remove the allergen from the air around him.
Speak with a veterinarian for more information about dealing with your dog's rhinitis symptoms.