Chewing, Scratching, Licking – Oh My! It’s allergy season – and we’re not the only ones who suffer. Does your dog scratch, lick, bite or chew at its skin? If so, it may mean that he or she has allergies. At Animal Ark Animal Hospital in Franklin, TN, we understand the unique challenges that Middle Tennessee’s allergy season presents for pets. Contact us at (615) 778-0880 for expert allergy evaluation and treatment.
Middle Tennessee’s Allergy Challenge
Middle Tennessee is in the Top 30 Allergy capitals and that applies to your dog as well. Whereas people often have itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing, dogs will often scratch in the armpits and at the ears, or chew/lick their feet or near their rear end. Itching is miserable and you may be able to stop your dog with verbal commands, but it is only a temporary “fix” as the itch continues causing your dog to simply continue with the behaviors out of sight.
Left untreated, allergies often cause the dog to do self-trauma to the skin allowing for secondary yeast or bacterial infections. These secondary infections also contribute to the itching and so the problem persists, creating a cycle of discomfort for your pet.
Types of Environmental Allergies in Franklin
Flea allergies are only one type of environmental allergy commonly encountered in our area. Pollens, mites, molds, and other allergens are also contributors to allergies in dogs. It doesn’t matter if your dog is strictly indoor as many allergens (the particles that cause allergies) are airborne and are inhaled by your dog resulting in itching.
Many allergies are seasonal in nature and may “come and go” based on the time of the year and the propensity of the allergen to be present at that time (blooming flowers, budding trees, grasses and weeds). Understanding these seasonal patterns helps our veterinary team provide more targeted treatment approaches.
Food Allergies vs. Environmental Allergies
Not all cases of allergies are food related. Despite the aggressive marketing of pet foods to be “grain free”, the majority of allergies are NOT from food and those that are from food are not from grains. Environmental allergens are far more common causes of itching and scratching in pets than food allergies.
Modern Allergy Treatment Options
Allergies may be treated without having the specific allergen identified. As with humans, not all dogs require allergy testing to determine the exact cause of the allergy but instead may be treated for short term with appropriate medications. In some more extreme cases, true allergy testing may be recommended to develop a more targeted treatment plan.
As with human medicine, allergy treatments for pets have evolved to include many effective products that don’t have the unpleasant side effects of “old school” steroids or the lack of efficacy from antihistamines. Gone are the days of Prednisone and Benadryl as the primary treatment options.
Now there are advanced treatments like Apoquel oral tablets and Cytopoint injections (administered every 4-8 weeks) which often dramatically reduce the itch your dog is experiencing. These modern medications provide relief without the side effects associated with traditional steroid treatments.
Don’t Let Your Pet Suffer
If your dog is chewing, scratching or itching and causing you displeasure, think of the misery your dog is suffering. Don’t ignore these signs as they may result in more serious and costly skin/ear infections. Schedule your pet to be evaluated soon before you and your pet lose sleep from the ceaseless scratching and chewing.
At Animal Ark Animal Hospital in Franklin, TN, we have the expertise and modern treatment options to help your pet find relief from allergies. Contact us at (615) 778-0880 or request an appointment online to discuss the best treatment plan for your pet’s specific needs.
Expert Care from Dr. Paula Schuerer
Article by Dr. Paula Schuerer
Dr. Paula Schuerer received her BS in agriculture, DVM and MBA from Mississippi State University and since graduation in 1995 has practiced in the Franklin/Nashville area. Her primary interests are surgery, dentistry, dermatology and small exotic mammal medicine. In 2009, Dr. Schuerer became a board-certified specialist, per the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, in Canine and Feline practice. She joins approximately a dozen others within the state of Tennessee that holds this advanced degree. In 2017, Dr. Paula received her MS in biomedical science from the University of Missouri.
“After all these years in practice, I still absolutely love what I do and look forward to what the next challenge is going to be.”