Virginia’s long growing season and temperate climate make it a particularly challenging place for allergy sufferers to live. The changing climate has only exacerbated it. And for those with allergies, March begins many months of challenges. Unfortunately, those challenges don’t just affect people. You also have to worry about your pets’ allergies this season.
Why Is Roanoke So Bad for Pets’ Allergies?
Several reasons put Roanoke high on the list of challenging places for allergy sufferers. Those primarily include temperature, humidity, and the “bowl effect.”
Temperature
The Southeast is already one of the worst regions in the US for allergy sufferers. While we may call our winters “cold,” it pales in comparison to the rest of the country. That allows pollen to proliferate.
Humidity
Valleys have higher humidity. That helps mold proliferate and prolongs pollen season.
The “Bowl Effect”
The Roanoke Valley is, by definition, surrounded by mountains. It’s one of the things that makes it so appealing to outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Unfortunately, it also traps allergens.
The bowl effect includes the aforementioned humidity issue, limited airflow, and temperature inversions. What’s a temperature inversion? That’s when cooler air gets trapped below warmer air, holding allergens in place.
Yikes!
What Are Common Allergens for Pets?
When it comes to allergies, pets aren’t that different than we are. They can be allergic to foods, environmental factors, or even other pets! Here are some of the most common allergies you’ll find.
Environmental
Since we’re talking about allergy season, we’ll lead with seasonal and environmental allergies.
Pollen
This time of year, pollen is in the air, and sometimes even those of us who aren’t “allergic” have a histamine reaction. Pets’ allergies are no different.
Mold
Mold is frequently among the most dangerous allergies since some molds can be deadly. Watch out for spots in your home (or even yard) that get damp and don’t drain well. And consider having a mold remediation or air quality company check your home.
Trees, Dust, Grass, and More
Finally, there’s everything else. Grass can be a particularly difficult allergen for your pets since it’s nearly everywhere, and dogs tend to love it. Various tree and flower species can also trigger those histamines.
Food Allergies
The good thing about food allergies is they’re easier to avoid. Just don’t buy food with those ingredients (although it can be more problematic with some ingredients than others).
The harder thing is spotting what they are. Your choices are an isolation diet (where you eliminate one ingredient at a time) or an allergy test.
Common food allergies in pets include grains, potatoes, fish, and mites (which are not actually a food, but grossly, frequently find their way into it).
Signs of Pet Allergies
Pets’ allergies don’t look very different than human allergies, but since they don’t talk, you’ll have to watch for them.
Signs of allergies include:
– Runny nose
– Watery eyes
– Green discharge
– Itchiness
– Red inflamed spots, especially (but not limited to)around the feet
Pets’ Allergies and Vet Care
Some allergies we can put up with while others are deadly, and there’s a lot of grey area in between. Getting an expert pet opinion can help your pet feel better and take some of the heavy burden off of your shoulders.
Old Dominion Vet can assist in identifying and treating your pets’ allergies.
Allergy Testing
The most thorough way to find out what is aggravating your pets’ immune response is by getting an allergy panel. We offer allergy panels that test all of the most common pet allergens and let you know which your pet responds to and how strongly.
Allergy Treatment
The treatment for your pets’ allergies will depend mainly on the severity and your pets’ lifestyle. When allergens are easy to eliminate, that is often the best treatment. When they’re not, treatment ranges from over-the-counter meds to allergy response-blocking shots.
Talk to your local Troutville vet to learn how to identify and treat your pets’ allergies!