Dogs can also be allergic to grasses
In humans, grass pollen allergy, commonly known as hay fever, causes rhinitis symptoms which include an irritated runny or clogged nose, repeated sneezing , watery, swollen red eyes and an itchy throat and palate.
Know that grass allergy also exists in our pet canines but it does not manifest itself in quite the same way in them. Although grass pollens can cause a few sneezes or runny noses, they cause skin reactions in most dogs instead.
In humans as in dogs, these allergies are linked to the life cycle of plants and manifest themselves roughly from March until the end of July. They vary according to the regions and the grass species present as well as the weather.
All grasses are likely to cause allergies, such as cocksfoot, timothy, weed, tares, or bluegrass.
What are the symptoms of grass allergy in dogs?
Symptoms of grass allergies in dogs can include:
- redness of the skin, called erythema,
- constant itching accompanied by scratching, biting and/or licking behavior,
- the appearance of pimples or scabs on the skin, or dandruff on the coat,
- possible localized hair loss.
Grass allergies can occur at any age, but most dogs begin to experience allergy symptoms between the ages of one and three due to previous exposure to allergens. While the symptoms can be bothersome for your dog, fortunately most are not life threatening.
It is common for dogs with grass allergies to also suffer from flea bite allergies or food allergies. We also speak of atopy.
Grass pollen is airborne, so your dog doesn't need to be physically on the grass to show symptoms. Symptoms can occur when the dog comes into contact with these pollens during a walk or simply by being in an area where the pollen is present, even inside your home.
How do vets diagnose grass allergies in dogs?
Your veterinarian may suspect a grass pollen allergy based on your dog's symptoms.
The next step will be a thorough examination of his coat and skin. Hair loss, any lesions on the skin such as pimples, rashes, dry or oily skin, scratches (excoriations) due to itching, redness or skin irritation will help narrow down his diagnosis.
Depending on the case, treatment can be initiated on the basis of clinical symptoms alone, without any test being necessary. If the treatments are not effective, additional tests will then be carried out. Your veterinarian can then carry out specific allergological tests if necessary.
The treatment of grass allergies in dogs
The goal of treatment will be to manage symptoms, as most grass allergies in dogs cannot be cured, only relieved.
If symptoms are mild, topical treatments may be recommended such as mild hypoallergenic shampoos. Regular baths can indeed help remove allergens from the coat before they have time to be absorbed by the skin. Also be sure to run a damp washcloth over your dog's coat when he returns from a walk and rinse his paws to remove as many allergens as possible from the surface of his body.
For moderate to severe symptoms, your veterinarian may prescribe your pet a treatment with corticosteroids or antihistamines. Supplementing the diet with essential fatty acids can also improve response to treatments and restore the integrity of the dog's skin barrier.
" Your veterinarian can also refer you to hyposensitization therapy (or immunotherapy), which consists of microdosing the animal with the allergen so that its body gradually gets used to it.This therapy can only be used if the allergens have been identified by a serological or intradermal test beforehand."