Dogs in general aren’t as susceptible to nasal allergies as cats. However, the symptoms of nasal allergies in canines are often associated with chronic rhinitis.
Nasal Allergies
Inhalant allergies are the most common cause of nasal allergies in pets. These allergic reactions develop when the pet inhales certain allergens present in his environment. Since there are several types of allergens that trigger nasal allergies, pet owners should be aware of common allergens and conduct a vet check promptly, to rule out any underlying diseases that may be confused with nasal allergies.
Common Allergens
- Dust
- Cigarette smoke
- Pollen
- Dust mites
- Deodorants
- Household chemicals
What to Watch for
If you notice that your dog experiences nasal and eye discharge or if your pet is sneezing and exhibits symptoms like bad breath, difficulty breathing and nasal inflammation, you have to seek medical help at the earliest. Nasal allergies cause your pet a lot of discomfort and pain. The condition is thus best treated in time.
Diagnosis of Nasal Allergies in Dogs
The vet will first conduct a physical exam and note down all the signs and symptoms exhibited. The vet will also ask you about the dog’s medical history and send a sample of the dog’s nasal or eye discharge for a laboratory analysis. This test will determine the presence of viruses or bacteria.
Other Tests
Dogs that are allergic to substances present in the environment have abnormal levels of IgE antibodies in their blood. Thus, during diagnosis the vet will perform a blood test and may also perform rhinoscopy to find out if there is a presence of any nasal tumors or changes to the nasal passage. Diagnosis of nasal allergies is complex. However once the diagnosis is confirmed, the vet will be able to adopt the right treatment protocol to prevent future occurrences of such allergic reactions.
Treatment of Nasal Allergies in Dogs
The vet will prescribe several medicines to bring relief from any nasal inflammation or infection. Corticosteroids and antihistamines may be administered to reduce the allergic response to allergens. However the main aim of the treatment is to identify and eliminate allergens from the dog’s environment. Although this may take awhile with a trial and error approach, it pays off in the long run.
Eliminating Allergens
If you know that your dog is allergic to dust mites, you will have to clean the house periodically and steam clean carpets to rid the house of dust and other contaminants. Make sure you allow sunlight to penetrate your home, as it kills bacteria and other germs. Also, wash your dog’s food and water bowls daily to make sure that he doesn’t come in contact with any harmful substances.
It’s beneficial to bathe allergic pets with a hypoallergenic shampoo that soothes the skin. Also conduct follow up vet checks and administer all prescribed medications on time, according to vet instructions.
Since your pet relies on you for help, you will have to adopt several precautionary measures to prevent any recurrence of nasal allergies.