Global warming can make pets' allergies worse

McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) - Recent research into climate change and plant growth indicates that both people and their pets may have a tougher time with allergies in the future.

Leaving aside the discussion about what is causing the warming of the Earth's climate, it seems that warmer temperatures and increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are helping plants grow faster.

This can mean more pollen in the air to stimulate allergies. My nose is telling me that the fall pollen season has started, and it may be worse this year than in the past.

Veterinarians see many pets with allergies, especially dogs, and the symptoms our pets have are a little different from the symptoms most people have. Where people who are exposed to allergens in the air have mostly upper respiratory symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, etc.), most allergies in dogs cause dermatologic signs.

The classic inhalant allergy pattern in dogs is inflammation of the skin inside the ears, in the armpit and groin areas, and on the feet. The owner notices more scratching and chewing at these areas. If the condition is not caught early and treated, the skin inflammation and self-trauma lead to secondary bacterial and yeast infections and hair loss, among other complications. An abnormal odor may be noticed due to the overgrowth of bacteria and yeasts on the skin surface.

Allergies can be treated, managed, and hopefully controlled, but they are rarely cured. There may be seasonal variations in symptoms for patients with pollen allergies, but when that special time of year comes around, we can expect symptoms to appear.

Antihistamines are a main line of defense against allergies. Antimicrobials, nutritional supplements, shampoos, other topical soothing agents, and, in really severe cases, steroids are used to manage our pets' allergies. Avoidance is great, but when we're talking about things in the air that we breathe, avoidance can be difficult.

If you notice an increase in scratching and chewing, increased body odor, or hair loss, your pet may have allergies. See your pet's doctor soon so that more severe secondary complications don't ensue.

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(Dr. Greg McGrath is a veterinarian at Cedar Lake Pet Hospital in Biloxi, Miss. Questions for this column are encouraged. Write to South Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, 20005 Pineville Road, Long Beach MS 39560 and include a self-addressed stamped envelope.)

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© 2008, The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.).