COLUMBIA, S.C. — Just like us, our pets can suffer from seasonal allergies.
Autumn Lyell, a veterinarian at Pawmetto Lifeline in Columbia, said there are a few telltale signs to watch out for.
“They're going to start licking their paws a lot, especially their front feet," Lyell said. "Those are the ones that are the easiest for them to get to. Scratching, or they may start chewing on the hip region there. Sometimes they'll even sneeze.”
Pets can be allergic to some of the same allergens as their owners, such as ragweed pollen or even dust. Fortunately, there are several treatment options to ease your pet’s symptoms.
“One direction, which is usually antibiotics and prednisone. That's going to be to get rid of that yeast and bacteria, which becomes a secondary infection," Lyell said. "The other option usually becomes if you're a chronic allergy dog, then we look into things like apoquel, which is a once-a-day pill for allergies.”
There are some home remedies that owners can try, such as over-the-counter flea medicine, to rule out the possibility of fleas being the problem. Lyell mentions that if your pet’s symptoms don’t improve, seek a veterinarian's help because medication might be necessary.
Just as a reminder, there are plenty of furry companions ready to be adopted at Pawmetto Lifeline.