• Marcy Hammerle DVM, The Pet Doctor, O'Fallon, MO

• Dr. Freeland Dunker, San Francisco Zoo, San Francisco, CA

• James Gaines DVM, Grantline Veterinary Hospital, Elk Grove, CA

• Cody Alcott DVM, Iowa State University, Boone, IA
  

Has pollen got your pet itching for relief? Protect the Pets shares important advice about safely treating pet allergies with The Herald News in Chicago! Read the article:

How to safely treat pet allergies

May 14, 2007

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," Robb warns. "Many times, cortisone treatments only mask the problem and 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, Robb recommends seeking safer alternatives that boost your pet's immunity rather than suppressing his symptoms.

• 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.

• Re-examine the diet -- Air-borne allergens like pollen may not be the only cause of your pet's allergies. Dietary changes can make a world of difference in some pets. Elimination diets and hypo-allergenic diets are tried-and-true treatments that can help pet owners identify and eliminate food-based allergens.

• 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 [and a PTP Member Vet], recommends frequent baths with oatmeal shampoos to gently soothe the itch, and using an air purifier to help remove allergens from the air.